Philippe started as a reporter with The Observer, student newspaper for Broward College. It was during the recession of 2007 and a story was about how the college was saving money came after a story about a painter who doubled as a college librarian and he tasked with creating a mural for a public school. As Philippe continued as a journalist for The Beacon of the student media department of Florida International University, an intern for The Sun Sentinel, The Miami Herald and a freelancer with The Miami Times, the importance of the connection with the painter, and the financial decisions of a public college kept up with Philippe's love of storytelling, his curiosity and that there should be accountability for people from marginalized communities.