For most college students, school’s been back in session for a few weeks and the fall semester is well underway. While some are just starting out and others are wrapping up their academic career, this is still a period that marks endless possibilities as students everywhere are laying the foundations for their career paths. Although it’s always easy to look to people with a decade or more of experience in their field for inspiration, it’s equally impressive to see how recent graduates are faring — especially those who’ve spent nearly their entire lives in the spotlight.
In particular, Malia Obama is a Harvard University graduate who’s made a name for herself so that she stands separate from her famous parents, Barack and Michelle Obama. Malia is the couple’s oldest daughter and is making a name for herself as a film director. But how did she get here, and what was her academic journey like?
Malia Obama: A Look Back On Her Journey
Malia Obama was an elementary school student in Chicago, IL, when her father exploded onto the scene and became a U.S. senator for the state of Illinois in 2004. Along with her mother and her sister, Sasha, they accompanied their father on the campaign trail. In 2008, the family became international sensations when Barack Obama defeated Senator John McCain for the presidency. A few months later, the family moved into the White House in 2009 for two consecutive terms, which ended in 2017.
Malia’s Time In The White House
At just 10 years old, Malia moved with her family to the White House. Both she and her sister, Sasha, attended Sidwell Friends School, a Quaker-run school where numerous diplomats, politicians, and influential figures based in Washington D.C. send their children.
During her younger years, the Obamas worked hard to keep their children out of the spotlight. This translated to both girls enjoying relatively “normal” lives full of summer camps, class trips, and high school proms. However, once Malia became an older teen, she started making more public appearances with her father.
For example, both she and her sister attended their first state dinner in 2016 when the Obama White House hosted Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Other notable times Malia was spotted with President Obama included when they traveled across South America, Asia, and Russia. While by her father’s side, Malia had the pleasure of meeting famed individuals such as Pope Benedict XVI and Nelson Mandela. Most famously, she acted as an ad hoc interpreter when she traveled to Cuba with her father. In 2014, both of the Obama daughters were listed in Time magazine’s 25 Most Influential Teens of 2014 list.
Gap Years And College Life
Just before the end of the Obama administration, Malia Obama graduated from Sidwell Friends School in 2016. Rather than immediately starting college at the end of the summer, she chose to do what so many teens do and took a gap year. During this time, Malia traveled with her friends and family, visiting locales across South America and Indonesia.
Yet, in the following year, Malia enrolled in Harvard University. Like many presidential children, she put her energy into creating an identity that was separate from her parents — which translated to keeping a low profile. This might have been a wise choice since people will find little information in the tabloids about her college life. However, she did win the Thomas Temple Hoopes Prize while at Harvard. The award recognizes “excellent undergraduate work and excellence in the art of teaching.”
Building Toward A Future With Internships
It became clear early on in Malia’s college career that film was a key interest. As a result, she snagged a few incredibly desirable internships with prestigious organizations. A well-documented internship was with the Smithsonian National Zoo. However, Malia was interning even before college. Specifically, in 2014 she was a production assistant on the set of the show “Extant” and even worked in the writer’s room for HBO’s “Girls” in 2015.
In 2017, Malia had a quick stint at The Weinstein Company in 2017 and slowly integrated herself fully into the entertainment industry by 2021. After college, one of her biggest credits was as a writer on Donald Glover’s viral Amazon Prime Video limited series “Swarm” that streamed in 2023. But before then, Malia graduated from Harvard University in 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history.
Malia Obama’s Directorial Debut and Independence
Eventually, it was time for Malia Obama to make her directorial debut in 2023. She paired up with Glover’s production company again to release the short film, “The Heart.” This time, rather than just being a writer, she also directed the story, which focused on grieving. The plot followed a man’s journey through guilt after his mother passed away just after he had an argument with her.
The film was included in the Short Cuts lineup at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival and was even screened at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. “The Heart” was nominated for three awards and won for the 2023 Best Live Action Short at the Chicago International Film Festival. Malia also won the Young Spirit Award at the Deauville Film Festival in 2024.
It was around this time in early 2024 that Malia Obama chose to stop using her last name. Instead, she refashioned herself as “Malia Ann.” This is a combination of her first and middle name. The move caused waves in the press as people noticed that she was taking steps to move out from behind her famous parents’ shadow.
A Modern Inspiration For Today’s Students
Obviously, Malia’s trajectory includes some unique story lines that aren’t synonymous with every college student. Very few people can say that they grew up in the White House and attended one of the most exclusive primary schools in the nation, followed by the most prestigious university in the country.
However, the consistent thread throughout Malia’s story is that she wasn’t content to coast on her famous parents’ laurels. Like many young people, Malia is focused on building an independent life separate from her family and famous past. More importantly, she’s willing to put in the work to achieve those goals.
