Jayla Herring

Jayla Herring is a music major from Chicago, IL with a focus on recording arts and media technologies

Hometown: Chicago, IL

High School: Bloom High School

Year: Fall 2025

What did you want to be when you were growing up? Are you pursuing that as a major, or have you taken another path?
Growing up, I was very interested in music and airplanes. Those were two things that really amazed me. I knew I wanted to be a music artist or an airline pilot. I am happy to say I am pursuing one of my dreams by going after a career in music and a Bachelor of Arts degree in music with a focus on recording arts and media technologies.

What is your major (and/or minor) and why did you decide on this course of study?
My major is music with a focus on the recording arts and media technologies area of study. I decided to study music because it’s something I’m passionate about. I am an artist who goes by the name of Jae Ivlie, and I’ve been making music for years. I chose my major because I wanted to expand my knowledge of audio engineering and sound and learn more about the craft. This turned into me learning a vast number of other things in music. My amazing teachers have helped me perfect my craft and become a well-rounded artist who writes, raps, sings and engineers and sometimes produces her own music. I also am earning a certificate in digital media production. I decided to pursue this certificate because the things I would learn would give me more skills and experience that would overlap with my degree.

Have you conducted an internship?
Yes

How did you get your internship, and where was it?
I completed two internships during the summer of 2025. I had one at a Chicago radio station as a digital media content creator and another one at a music studio in Chicago for audio engineering. I got my internships by being determined, filling out numerous applications and driving back and forth from DeKalb to Chicago for interviews. I was determined to get an internship and put in the work I needed to add projects to my portfolio.

How did your internship help prepare you for your career?
My internships helped me prepare for my career by giving me more hands-on experience and allowing me to see what it is really like to work in the music industry. It also helped me gain more people skills, as I would often be dealing with the different types of people who came in and out of the radio station and studio. The internships allowed me to hone my skills with audio engineering and editing and producing content. I also was able to make numerous connections.

What has been something you have found pleasantly surprising about your experience at NIU?
Something I found pleasantly surprising about my experience at NIU was the amount of personal growth I experienced. My NIU experience helped me become more resilient and allowed me to explore different areas of interest. Another thing that surprised me was the number of professors and instructors I had who actually cared.

How have you connected with other students to study for classes, meet new people or form new friendships?
I have connected with other students on campus by meeting people in my major who have helped me study things like music theory and are just as talented as me. I have connected with other students around campus and was able to learn more about myself as a person and decipher things I do and do not like. I was also able to make a few connections with people that I feel will be lifelong.

Are you involved in any student organizations, mentoring programs or extra-curricular activities? If so, which ones? How have they added to your experience as a Huskie?
Over the years, I have been involved with organizations like Signing Huskies and the Black Student Union. My time with these organizations has been sparse, as I tried to be involved during my early years on campus; however, with me being a busy music major, I was not always available. But I can honestly say that Signing Huskies helped me get better with my American Sign Language, and Black Student Union allowed me to attend fun events, meet people and wind down at times.

What NIU offices, departments or resources have helped you feel safe, supported and successful? And how?
The NIU School of Music made me feel supported and successful. I was very comfortable in that department and have come across numerous instructors and professors over the years who love what they do and took me under their wing when I needed extra help. It is important to be around people who are passionate about what they are doing, because it helps to keep you going as a student.

Who has been one of your favorite instructors/professors and why? What course did they teach?
One of my favorite instructors is Dr. Mark Snyder. The other is Ms. Kerri Chandler. Both of these instructors teach in the music and recording arts department. They have been crucial to my college education and have made an impact on me as not only an artist, but as a person in general. Dr. Snyder is very knowledgeable and has gone above and beyond to make sure I am successful and has given me excellent career advice from his experiences in the industry. Ms. Chandler also has gone out of her way to make sure I have the necessary hands-on experience and has dedicated extra time to help me be successful. Both Dr. Snyder and Ms. Chandler are excellent at what they do and are two people I look up to.

How have you benefited by attending class regularly?
I benefited by attending class regularly because I got to take in knowledge from my professors and instructors and ask questions that helped me go further. I also got to see technical things being done in real time and try them myself, which helped me apply them in later experiences.

Where is your favorite spot on campus or in the community? Why are you drawn to it?
My favorite spot on campus is Founders Memorial Library. I love the library because it is a cool place to wind down and gives me the space I need to focus when I have projects I’m working on. It is also a very big library, which I think is cool in itself.

What advice would you give to a student who is researching colleges to apply to?
Some advice I would give to a student who is researching colleges to apply to is to look for colleges that have a major you’re passionate about and would never get tired of doing. I would also say to look into what student life on the campus is like and to make sure to stay on top of deadlines and materials for any portfolios you may need to submit. When I was applying to the School of Music, I had to be on top of deadlines, so it is more than just simply applying.

Why is a college education important to you?
A college education is important because it gives you the opportunity to build necessary skills to prepare for something you know you want to do. It also allows you to explore yourself within that, as you may take different classes and try new things. I know a lot of peers who did not get the chance to go to college and wish they had the opportunity to become educated and make a better life for themselves. With that being said, I think that a college education is very important.

What strategies do you use to manage your time between the responsibilities of school, work, friends and family?
To manage my time between school, work, friends and family, I try to find a balance by taking breaks, being organized and setting priorities. I often look at deadlines for schoolwork and knock out assignments that are due soon to get them out of the way. I then set time aside for family and friends by scheduling everything around work, school or any other events. I make sure I am organized and keep up with everything I am supposed to do.

How do you stay informed about events and services that are available on campus?
I stay informed about events and services available on campus by making sure to keep up with my student email and check it several times a day. I also am not afraid to reach out to people and ask questions. I am quick to email a department, advisor or instructor about any question I may have, and they are usually able to point me in the right direction on where to find a service or event.

What do you do to relax or recharge?
To relax or recharge, I usually find myself listening to music or writing and recording my own. Music just makes me feel at peace, so actively listening or creating my own is a good way for me to relax and take some stress off myself.

Please tell us about your job and hobbies.
I am a rapper, singer, songwriter and audio engineer who goes by the name of Jae Ivlie. I have done many shows in Chicago, down south, in Las Vegas and even out of the country. I have also been on numerous radio stations and podcasts. I strive to keep perfecting my artistry while working on new projects. I currently work on campus for recording services in the School of Music. I also have an audio internship at a major studio in Chicago and have completed a content creation internship at a radio station. I am very ambitious and driven, as I was able to juggle all these things while pursuing my bachelor’s degree and a digital media production certificate, and I am now about to graduate early. When I am not busy doing all of these things, I like to create content of my own for social media or read and study up on other topics I find interesting.

Is there anything else you'd like to share about your NIU Huskie story?
I am proud to say I was able to experience college and graduate early, while juggling the many things I do.