For me, being a student of Communication and Media studies meant being a jack of all trades. Over the years, I’ve learned many different things and about the various fields of work I could enter with this degree. I’ve learned how to conduct research using the scientific method. I’ve learned the proper technique of gathering sample populations and the different methods used to conduct research. I’ve learned about how to communicate and interact with other people and what those interpersonal messages truly mean for us. I’ve learned about the different types of media and all of the career options I could choose from; advertising and PR, I’ve learned sports and news journalism, and how to screen write for television and movies. I’ve learned print style, TV broadcast style, TV Advertisement style, the list goes on. I’m incredibly grateful for all I’ve been taught.

Professionally, I feel that my learning has prepared me for the challenges I will face in any job I secure. I feel I’ve gained enough knowledge and expertise to feel confident in my career. Personally, these experiences have opened my mind to many different possibilities and I feel that my worldview has broadened.

As far as the areas of discipline that I specialize in, my concentration is Media Studies. I took Communication Methods and Mass Communication Theory. These classes helped me learn a lot more about conducting communication research and what all of that entails. Classes such as Interpersonal Communication, Nonverbal Communication, and Social Identity & Intergroup Communication taught me about interacting with other people, sending messages back and forth, how our actions and thoughts work with our verbal communication, and communication as an identity rather than just a concept. Introduction to Mass Communication and Writing for Media broke down the different types of media and the different ways they send messages to their audiences. Strategic Communication and Crisis Communication taught me about the different strategies companies and organizations will take to reach their audience and protect their reputation. 

After graduation, I’m wanting to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. My first option is to be a freelance artist. I would create my own website where I would sell my art, I would promote myself on social media so that I could gain a stable audience and take commissions, and I would talk about my art and other things on my YouTube channel. My second option is to be a writer. I have experience with creative writing for novels and short stories and screenwriting experience. I’ve always wanted to write my own books and scripts.