Alumni Spotlight: Jemimah Mwaba, class of 2021

MEDIA, Pa. — Just one year after completing her bachelor’s degree at Penn State Brandywine, alumna Jemimah Mwaba, class of 2021, found herself gaining impressive experience in the entertainment industry.

Mwaba began her Penn State journey at Brandywine in 2018, majoring in business with concentrations in marketing and management. She got involved in multiple organizations across campus, including the Brandywine Music Association, Nittany Christian Fellowship, Lion Ambassadors and Black Student Union. Mwaba was also an orientation leader and a resident assistant in Orchard Hall.

“I was definitely involved in a lot,” Mwaba said. “I would say being involved on campus was my favorite part about my time here. I liked being a part of different clubs and being in different leadership positions.”

Being a student leader helped Mwaba develop her leadership skills and leadership style. Becoming a resident assistant allowed her to find her strengths and figure out what kind of leader she wants to be.

“I’m good at being a gentle leader, but I’m also a leader who knows how to be assertive and how to bring out the best in people,” Mwaba said. “When I became a resident assistant, we had to take a strengths analysis test. I learned that one of my strengths is maximization and being able to relate to others. Those two things have really helped me succeed.”

Since graduating in December 2021, Mwaba has been a model in Atlantic City Fashion Week and Philly Fashion Week shows. She was also a stand-in for an M. Night Shyamalan movie that was recently released called "Knock at the Cabin."

“I would say being a stand-in for 'Knock at the Cabin' has been my biggest accomplishment since graduating,” Mwaba recalled. “It was a cool experience. I was on a very professional movie set in Philadelphia. I got to see the behind-the-scenes of how movies are made, which was really interesting to witness.”

Mwaba delved into the modeling and acting business through a talent agency called Main Line Models and Talent located in Glen Mills, just 15 minutes from Brandywine.

“I’ve always known that I wanted to go into entertainment. I remember going to career fairs and not seeing anything that had to do with entertainment, so I had to do my own research,” Mwaba said. “While I was researching entertainment internships my senior year of college, I found Main Line Models and Talent. I called them and asked if they needed any interns, and I got in.”

She was able to learn the ins and outs of the talent industry through her internship at Main Line. Upon graduating, she joined the agency full-time. Since then, she’s had multiple modeling and acting gigs.

When asked what advice she would give to current Brandywine students, Mwaba said they should do as many internships as they can while they’re still in school — it can really help them in the long run if they do.

“Interning creates building blocks for you in the industry you want to go into. It’s the best way to gain experience,” she said. “When you graduate and start looking for jobs, employers are going to ask you about your experience. If you’re able to say you’ve interned at all these different places while you’re in school, more doors will open for you.”

Mwaba also suggested doing your own research on your desired field to find opportunities, which helped her during her time in college.

“If you’re at the career fair and you haven’t found any employers in the industry you’re trying to get into, look up different companies and call,” she said. “Tell them, ‘Hi, I’m looking for an internship. If you’re looking for someone, here’s my resume.’ Be assertive in that sense.”