What’s challenging/interesting/rewarding about my current job?

• While I am pursuing a career as a forever student, my biggest challenge is the learning curve. Law school is different than any type of educational setting I’ve ever been exposed to, and it takes a bit to get adjusted…I’ll probably be adjusted by 3L-I’ll report back then!
• The rewarding part is that I have probably worked harder than I ever have, and I like the feeling of accomplishment I have when a cold-call goes well, or I understand a difficult topic. (it’s only been a month, this could all change.)
• For me, it’s all interesting, and I find myself relying heavily on my COM background often, especially for legal writing, and thinking quickly on my feet.

How do I use various communication proficiencies in my work?

• Professor Baldner instilled time management skills that I will carry with me forever- easily one of the most useful skills COM gave me, and it seems trivial at the time, but when you can turn a PKG in a few hours, you can do anything.
• Grammar and writing skills are also HUGE. I tested out of most of my grammar quizzes for the first year just using previous knowledge (aka all the AP Style quizzes Professor Baldner made me take junior year).
• I find myself reading people a lot too, and I think that’s a huge part of my COM background.
• Networking is also huge, and I think COM helped grow my relationship-building skills tremendously while at QU. I’m definitely not afraid to approach people or even just introduce myself, and that could be the difference in finding a job down the road.
• I may be biased, but I think communication majors are taught to be incredibly professional in dress, speak, etc. I think being able to look polished, speak eloquently, and present myself in a poised way are all things I learned from INBA conferences, QUTV, and various experiences as a Com student.

What surprised me about my career?

• I’ll let you know here in about 3 years…hopefully!

Here’s my number one piece of advice for Communication undergrads:

• You can do anything with a Com degree, and I really mean anything. It was the best decision I could’ve made for my future and myself. Com provides you with real, practical skills that translate into every day life and influence how you see the world and relate to it. I truly believe that. I can write, speak-well, present, analyze, problem-solve, and even build relationships arguably better than the people around me, and I credit those skills to my time at QU.
• Listen to your professors because they care about you, they’re invested in you, and they only want to see you succeed. I am where I am because of the professors at QU and the time they took to help prepare me for life beyond Quincy University.

What should we have asked you?    

• Do you miss being a com major?- Yes. Tremendously. I miss my family. Law school people are aggressive. Can I come back and guest anchor a QUTV show??

Class year: 2018