I am a Communication Studies major with a minor in Event Management.  Choosing my major has very much been a process of self-discovery for me!  Although I have always known that I want to help people in my career, I have continually been learning what other values in a career are most important to me.  Through different service experiences, an internship with the Indiana Department of Transportation, and classes, I now know that I want to work for a non-profit corporation as an event planner. 

I chose to major in Communication Studies to develop the communication skills that will equip me to work with both fellow employees and customers.  Mandy Hazlett, Senior Event Manager for the National FFA Organization, shared with me that, “The ability to communicate and have impeccable customer service skills is the most important asset an event planner can have.”  A minor in Event Management will allow me to gain knowledge and training in event planning.  I believe that my educational background in Communication Studies as well as Event Management will provide the perfect educational credentials for my future career.

There are key steps that will play a large part in my success as a Communication Studies major.  The first step is maintaining a strong GPA and graduating with Honors.  I can achieve this through using time management to keep studying a priority.  A second step is choosing to surround myself with others who share the same academic values as me.  It is far easier to keep my academics a priority when those around me support that and also care about their academics. Another step is making personal applications with what I am learning in order to understand it on a deeper level.  Because many of my classes are about communicating effectively, I can easily apply this in all my interpersonal interactions. The last step in my success is being a committed student in everything I do.  Whether in classes or as part of a student organization, I believe that full commitment and contribution is the key to gaining the most from any experience. 

While academic excellence is an important aspect of my educational success, I also place a high importance on developing connections with professors and faculty.  Because Communication Studies is such a broad major, establishing personal rapport with the staff of IUPUI will give me potential employment opportunities as well as connections to individuals who can write professional recommendation letters in the future.  IUPUI also offers a wealth of resources to its students.  No matter what class I am in, there are tutors and resource centers to help me reach my full academic potential.  I am also fortunate to have many different advisors who I can seek counsel from when making academic decisions.  With the help of so many different individuals and resources, I am completely enabled to succeed in everything I do.

Throughout my time at IUPUI, I have many opportunities to develop my skill set and enhance my college experience.  Three ways I plan to intentionally do this is through internships, planning campus events, and volunteering in the community.  Internships will give me real workplace experience as well as connections to possible employers after graduation.  By planning campus events through clubs and scholarship programs, I can learn about aspects of event planning that could not be taught in a classroom.  Involvement in event planning will also provide experiences that I can share about with a potential employer.  The most important part of my time in college will be the chance I get to give back to my community and even locations around the world.  As a part of the Sam H. Jones scholarship program, I mentor students at George Washington Community School on a weekly basis and participate in campus-wide service events.  As a study abroad experience, I also will have the opportunity to participate in the Honors Service Learning in Costa Rica Program!  Through these service opportunities and many others, I will continue to develop a heart of service, have once in a lifetime experiences, and increase my awareness of social justice issues.

I truly believe my choice of major and minor are the perfect fit for me.  My education will allow me to strengthen my most defining qualities – my communication and organizational skills.  I thrive when I am helping and interacting with others, so learning how to do this on a professional level is an amazing opportunity.  I also love planning, organizing, and collaborating with others.  My Event Management classes will teach me to use these skills in a very practical way and will further prepare me for my future vocation.  My service experiences and internships will give me hands-on experience and connections that are essential in preparing for my future.  Through these educational experiences and unique skill developing opportunities, I hope to graduate as a well-rounded and accomplished individual.