As a public relations major at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, Shayla Ismael ’27 knew she wanted to stand out in a competitive industry. But it wasn’t until she enrolled in the iSchool’s Innovation, Design, and Startups (IDS) minor that her creativity and entrepreneurial drive truly took shape.
“I took IST 195 and it was kind of a pivotal moment,” Shayla says. “That class encourages students to stay on top of technology and not be afraid of it. AI, for example—it’s something you can use to enhance your skills.”
In Shayla’s case, those skills are helping her turn a long-time hobby into a business. As part of her IDS coursework, she’s developing a reversible dress line aimed at college students—starting with a goal of selling 15 pieces to peers at Syracuse. “There’s this trending top my friends and I love, but there’s nothing like it in a dress,” she explains. “I looked up reversible dresses, and they were all really ugly—like maternity or ‘mom-on-the-go’ styles. I wanted something cute that girls my age would actually wear.”
Shayla is putting her fashion knowledge—she’s been sewing since she was 12—to use in a structured, real-world learning environment. Her business is taking root in the LaunchPad at Bird Library, a hub for student entrepreneurs where she’s been applying for grants, doing customer discovery, and even preparing for cold calls with potential customers.
But fashion is just one part of her story. The IDS minor also pushed Shayla to think more broadly about innovation and problem-solving. In an early project, she conceptualized a music-based dating app. While she ultimately pivoted away from that idea, the experience showed her how interdisciplinary thinking could lead to impactful solutions.
“Coming from Newhouse, I think people expect me to be all about creativity and storytelling,” she says. “But the iSchool has challenged me creatively in ways I didn’t expect. It’s not just data and tech—it’s about how you solve problems, how you pitch yourself, and how you make ideas happen.”
That mindset has already opened professional doors. Shayla currently interns at a New York City–based fashion PR firm, where she conducts influencer research and outreach, manages sample trafficking by logging and tracking fashion pulls, and researches brands to collaborate with for client events.
Shayla’s ambition doesn’t stop with campus pop-ups or magazine internships. She envisions launching her own PR firm one day—and the combination of communications expertise and tech literacy she’s building now is setting her apart. “I want to be the best candidate I can be,” she says. “And I think employers don’t expect someone from Newhouse to be able to code or understand data at this level. That’s what gives me an edge.”
For Shayla, the iSchool has been more than just a complement to her major—it’s been a space to take risks, build confidence, and bring her ideas to life. “I didn’t expect to take this minor,” she admits. “But it’s working out in the best way possible.”