Looking back at my four years there has been a lot of ups and downs, but as a result these experiences have made me a better person as a result. With that being said I am very happy that I choose to be a student in the communication and media studies division here at St. Norbert College. This division has prepared me for the real world by simulating possible experiences that could happen in the classroom. Furthermore, from this department I have learned how to read and analyze scholarly articles, understand the different types of communication styles, understand how messages can be twisted by the media, how organizations deal with conflict both small and large and how the different communication theories can be applied to every day life. In addition, this team of professors have had an impact on me both personally and professionally. On the personal side, I felt that my professors were always willing to accommodate if I needed an extended deadline. I have become more outgoing as a result due to the several group projects and presentations that I have done in classes over the years. I have grown professionally because I have been able to take what I have learned in the classroom and apply it to the real world. Another way the department has helped me grow professionally is that they are always able to provide me with a letter of recommendation if I need one as well as always being in my corner both inside and outside the classroom.

In addition, I choose to have my concentration be on the Communications side of the Communications and Media Studies major. During my time here I have studied a wide range of topics. The topics that I have had the privilege of studying are as follows: Principles of Mass Communication, Communication Research Methods, Interpersonal Communication, Health Communication, Communication and Emotional Well Being, Social Identity and Intergroup Communication, Family Communication, Media Psychology, Intimate Relationships and Media, Organizational Communication, Small Group Communication, Communication Technology and Social Change and Communication Theory. In addition, in each of these courses I have engaged in critical and social scientific research in some way.

Furthermore, I have accepted a 6 month internship with the Walt Disney Company as part of their College Program which is what I will be doing post graduation. Once January 2024 comes I hope to have secured a job in the sports world doing either corporate communications or public relations.

Finally, there are quite a few experiences that have helped me along the way outside the classroom as well. One way that I have gained experience outside the classroom is through the college newspaper where I am the sports editor and have been a member since freshman year. In addition, one experience that was really cool was that during my freshman year our college newspaper won an award at a conference so I got to go and listen to lectures and see our paper get awarded which was really cool. Another experience that has helped me outside the classroom is my job at the Center for Global Engagement. At the center I am constantly having to engage and understand international students who are just starting to learn English as participants in the English as a Second Language program that the college has. This role has taught me more about how international students communicate which is something I will take with me to my future job. This job has also given me the ability to really put my communications skills to work on the daily as I am constantly having conversations with international students to help improve their English skills. Furthermore, my internship with AriensCo has really helped me grow as well. My role at the company was the Corporate Communications Intern which I have had the pleasure of filling for the last year. In my role I was responsible for drafting press releases, promotion and retirement articles about employees for our internal web, assisting with covering events and even getting to watch a tv segment about the company’s hospitality division come to life. This internship has given me a lot of experience that I will be taking with me post graduation.