I chose Communication and Media Studies as my major when I was an incoming Freshmen. My decision was based on career aspirations; at that time I thought I would like to go into event planning or public relations. Of course, as you might have predicted, these plans changed. However, I have never regretted my decision to be a Communication major. In fact, my undergraduate degree has only furthered my love for communication. Now I see myself continuing my education to learn even more.
When I was growing up, I was a very shy child. Even in college I struggled with social anxiety. I specifically remember a boss laughing at me for majoring in communication because I “didn’t talk”. My degree not only impacted me professionally but also personally; it forced me to grow. Now I feel almost unrecognizable. Through my major I learned the professional skills necessary for a career in communication but I also learned how to better communicate in my everyday life. Courses such as Conflict Communication and Communication and Mental Health had a profound impact on how I navigate myself through life. Overall, I learned the immense importance of communication and how complicated it truly is.
After my Interpersonal Communication class, It was evident to me that I wanted to concentrate my studies here rather media. Although media is an ever evolving part of communication, I am most fascinated by the ways we communicate with one another in person through both verbal and non-verbal communication. Throughout my four years I engaged in both critical and social scientific research. I conducted research in a variety of disciplines and for multiple purposes. However, my final signature work takes a critical approach which is the main scholarly perspective I employ.
In addition to class work, I learned many lessons outside the classroom. First, my Capstone Project required extreme dedication in order to complete such a large research project in a single semester. Through this experience I have learned self-discipline and specific skills for conducting research. I also received important skills from an internship at the NEW Zoo as a Communication, Marketing and Social Media Intern. This internship provided me with addition experience in the media side of communication. Although this is not my concentration, I understand the importance of media in communication. Therefore, this information provided me with a new perspective on communication and media.
As I stated previously, my career path has someone shifted. When I was a Freshmen I expected to graduate and pursue one specific career (i.e. event planning, public relations). However, I now see myself going in many directions. I would rather follow the path than choose an end goal. For now, I am interested in entering the non-profit sector to gain experience in the workforce. I hope to eventually return to school and further my education
Reflecting on my undergraduate experience, I am proud of the work I was able to create and feel inspired to continue working as a communication scholar.
