Introduction:
Communication and Media Studies has shaped the way I think, communicate, and ultimately live my life. Throughout my time at St. Norbert College, studying the theories, real life jobs in this area, and through personal experiences, communication has impacted every aspect of my life.
What I learned:
Studying communication and media studies has taught me so much not only about myself, my family and friends, and the whole world around us. Comprehending how and why people communicate the way they do says so much about one’s character and the values they have in life. Understanding the importance of communication is crucial in every aspect of life from personal relationships to the daily news.
As my time as a Communication and Media Studies major comes to an end, looking back on everything I have learned and accomplished, has made me proud of myself. I believe I have fully grown as a person and I believe that is due to the materials I have learned and studied in my classes. I understand the importance of communication and how to effectively communicate with any individual. This has caused me to look at my values and what is truly important to me and my own life.
Professionally, I have learned so much between the different materials and theories we look at. This has allowed me to understand how to analyze peoples messages through communication and media. I am now equipped with the knowledge and understanding of how to create, analyze, and share information with others.
Areas of Discipline:
During my Sophomore year at SNC, I decided to change my major for the last time to Communication and Media Studies. This was a big change for me coming from pre-med and pre-vet to business to communication. I started by taking broad classes to really understand both the communication side and the media side of the major. After taking these first few classes, I decided a concentration in Communication was the best fit for me. I really wanted to think more about individuals personally and how people communicate with each other.
As I also have a minor in Human Services, what I learn in communication helps strengthen my skills and knowledge when it comes to human services. Now understanding the reasoning behind the communication people use and the way the individuals portray themselves while communicating, has helped me in the social work field and with specific clients.
I believe that studying in this field has allowed me to grow as an individual and understand what is truly important to me and where I want my career and life to lead to. Using the different theories and applications that we learned will shape me professionally for the future. I have studied Family Communication, Interpersonal Communication, Mass Communication, Communication Research Methods, Political Communication, Family Communication, Conflict Communication, and more, giving me a wide range of knowledge in every aspect.
Internship Experience:
As I studied in this field, I have had a few different internship experiences. Although they all have to do with communication, they were very different from each other and the daily tasks I performed.
The first internship I completed was with Family Services: Sexual Assault Center. I currently still work for this organization and love my time with them. I serve as a Sexual Assault Victim Advocate for survivors. On a day to day basis, I had to meet with new clients or existing clients. We talked through safety plans, future resources, and how they plan to go about their life after a sexual assault case. As I worked with not only adults but children, all different races and genders, and individuals from every type of background, studying in the classes I did, taught me how to communicate and help these individuals.
I also did an Internship with Howe Elementary during the after school program. I performed the role of a social worker during my time there. As this is something I am very passionate about, in order to be a good social worker, you have to be able to talk to any individual no matter the circumstances. This opened my eyes to children grades Kindergarten to 5th grade and how to alter my words to allow them to understand why I am communicating the way I am. The situations some of my students have to deal with, affects the way I communicate and how I communicate with these students.
After Graduation Plans:
After completing my degree, I plan to continue my education and earn my Masters in Social Work. While I am working on my degree, I plan to continue my work with Family Services. I also will be working as a personal nanny for a family in Green Bay.
The family I work for has a 2 year old, 11 month old, and are expecting a baby girl in September. As my two year old has some developmental problems, I can put my communication skills to work and understand the actions he makes and does when he cannot communicate himself. This is very important to me as he cannot communicate on his own, I can be a helping hand to his development.
After I complete my masters degree, I plan to secure a position within counseling or Child Protective Services. I have the intention of continuing to be an advocate for individuals in situations that they cannot change or do not have the power of stopping. I will continue to advocate and communicate for the ones who are unable to.
Conclusion: After looking at everything St. Norbert has offered me, I couldn’t have made it without my professors who have shaped me to be the person I am today. I would not have grown and learned as much as I did without the ones teaching me while being a student in the Communication and Media Studies field.. I believe that I have shaped into a loving, committed, creative, adaptable young woman and I can’t thank them enough. I will continue to uphold my values as an individual in the future as my career takes off.
