Joanna Waldsmith
Transcript of Joanna Waldsmith
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Self-Assessment Report Joanna Waldsmith
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Self- Assessment Report
Introduction
Lights, camera, action! I have always had a strong interest in working within the
media and public. When I was growing up I was always influenced by the latest gossip
and fads. Also, when I watch television or reading a magazine I am always drawn to the
modern trends of the year.
I have first hand witnessed the influence of advertisements. This has intensified
my interested to learn more about behind the scenes production of advertisement and
media and how promotion, event, and advertising companies use different propaganda to
influence society to jump on the bandwagon.
Personal Statement
When graduating high school the only sure thing I knew about my future was that
I wanted to attend a university. My parents all through my life stressed the need to
continue my education after high school. With the economy drastically changing and the
needs/wants of employers increasing, a bachelor’s degree is strongly needed to live a
comfortable life style. The work force is becoming a competition. My parents proclaimed
that only the strong and most qualified employees would be the ones secure in their jobs
and the declining economy. This encouraged me to seek out a college education.
When exploring different available universities I was constantly questioned what I
wanted to be after my education at their university. I felt trapped and uncomfortable at
this moment. I only knew the jobs that I witnessed everyday: retail employees, food
service, teachers, principles, police, fire fighters, nurses and doctors. As I thought deeper
in these professions I started to question what their responsibilities and job duties, the
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positive and negative aspect of their job, income and benefits, and what type of education
they had to undergo to be where they were today.
After thinking harder into this I realized the only job I have been able to observe
and understand was the teachers I role-modeled. I was able to observe a teachers
profession for fourteen years, from pre-school- high school senior year. This truly was
the only job in the work force I understood.
When enrolling in Slippery Rock University I started off majoring in Education.
At the beginning of my experience I always let my advisor guide me to what electives to
take. After learning how strong a minor looked on a diploma I started to expand my
knowledge on what Slippery Rock University had to offer. I started to investigate the
different minors I could pick up during my educational experience at Slippery Rock
University. When glimpsing through I noticed the minor in Communications. I found
many courses I was highly interested in learning more about.
Growing up I was always placed in the entertainment industry through
modeling/print-work and promotional events. I decided to take a semester off and not
give up the opportunity to work on movie production directed by Kevin Smith in
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After this experience I knew I wanted a future within media
relations.
I quickly enrolled back into Slippery Rock University and changed my major to
Communications. I decided a Bachelor of Arts best suited my interest. It did not define
me or restrict me. A Bachelor of Arts let me take classes that suited my interests while
molding me to have broader outlook and knowledge of many different fields. Receiving
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a degree in Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a minor in Film and Media helped
me grow professionally and personally at Slippery Rock University.
Degree Goals and Outcomes
Goal #1: Knowledge and skills necessary to communicate effectively in personal,
professional, and small group settings
Knowledge upon entering the program:
In high school I loved to participate in extra curricular activities. I felt like
I always wanted to learn something new. It was like an inner competition to
challenge myself to do new things and become the best I could be. I participated
in soccer, basketball, chorus, color guard, SCAF (Student Caring About
Families), volunteered for animal shelters, and participated in many other extra
curricular and community activity. I learned quickly that communication is a vital
in every organization. Without communication and leadership each one of these
events would never have a positive outcome. I was always a leader and willing to
go stay after hours or work harder with a teammate to acquire the skills they were
lacking. I believed in teamwork rather than individuality achievement. The power
of a group is always stronger than an individual. Putting many skills, opinions,
backgrounds, and educations together made each organization helped develop
personal achievement.
In many other these activities I participated in everyone’s main goal was
the same. In sporting events we wanted to win and during volunteer events we
wanted to sell and/or raise as much money or materials as we could to help
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families or shelter animals. There were not many conflicts during this process
because we all were working for to produce the same outcome.
Knowledge upon exiting the program:
When entering college I was very interested in organizations on campus. I
ended up joining Alpha Omicron Pi, AOPI, where I met some of my best friends
while helping out with the community. We volunteered locally and raised money
for arthritis research and people in need. While apart of AOPI I was determined to
graduate on time, being that I took a year off school. For over a year I upheld 18
to 21 credits each semester, I worked two part time jobs, I was apart of Greek life
and I managed to get on the deans list. I built strong work ethics and
determination to graduate on time.
Later in my academic journey I decided to do a summer internship with
WTAE Channel 4 Action News. Taking this internship I was unaware of what my
requirement were going to be. Entering this internship I had basic knowledge
from my Video Production I class and prior experience in film production from
Zack and Miri, Shelter, She’s Out of My League, and Sorority Row. Unaware,
news production is not all about the glitz and glam like movie productions. This is
where I was faced with some obstacles. I never took any broadcast, field
reporting, or new writing courses prior to this internship. I had to learn quickly by
observing others around me. This helped me build a better understanding of the
news industry and allowed me mimic their skills. This internship helped build
myself personally and professionally while communicating within the work place,
on camera, through the media and community.
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Working productively in groups is important professionally and
academically. While attending Slippery Rock University many classroom
assignments were assigned in small groups. This was when many conflicts and
resolutions occurred. Unlike the other activities in the past I participated the
desired outcomes differed. Each member of the group ultimately had the same
goal, to receive a good grade, but each group member could present a different
idea or way of accomplishing that goal.
I learned that when working in groups it is important to be open-minded.
Participating in smalls groups has allowed me to be become more open to new
ideas, critiques and opinions. I have learned incorporating many different ideas
results in a superior project.
For the most part small groups are more effective than individual projects.
The one conflict I recognized the most was participation. While in groups many
members could slack on their part or not be as open-minded as the rest. I have
learned through working in groups that it is important to help out others. When
one person is not doing their duties it is important to be a positive leader. I have
always offered to help out. Also, when I have learned when group members are in
a disagreement it is important to try to incorporate everyone’s ideas. If that is not
possible than I have learned to allow each member to vote on each idea or
opinion. Voting has been a great problem solver in group assignments and
organization I have participated on campus.
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Goal #2: Ability to understand the historical development of the practice and study
of human communication
Knowledge upon entering the program
All through my primary education my school was dominant Caucasian. I
never took time to think beyond just the color of ones skin. I was very naive and
sheltered from reality. It seemed like everyone celebrated the same holidays as I
did and grew up with loving families like mine. I believed everyone’s family
income was relatively the same. My vision was very blurred. I only saw the very
rich and the very poor.
In high school we were required to take a foreign language, I thought it
was only for fun. I believed everyone knew and spoke English and learning
another language was just an elective. As soon as I entered college my vision of
society changed drastically.
Knowledge upon exiting the program
As I graduate, I have a better understanding of the many different
ethnicities, beliefs, stereotypes, non-verbal and verbal communication, and how
communication is used in different settings and atmospheres.
I took various classes such as, Organizational Communications,
Intercultural Communications, Communication Concepts, Communication Law,
and Communication Theory that helped me better understand diversity and
communication to within a society. Each one of these classes helped me acquire
different skills. In Intercultural Communication I learned how communication is
understood to different age groups, ethnicities, and beliefs. Communication Law
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taught me the appropriate way to communicate effectively through laws and the
government; the do’s and do not’s. Organizational Communication helped me
develop organization and communication skills within a workforce.
Organizational Communication taught me how effective and necessary
communication is between employees and hierarchy to maintain a successful
business and workplace. Communication Theory and Concepts helped me better
understand communication as whole dealing with social distance, non-verbal
communication, the effective communication through theories such as, Social
Distance Theory, Expectance Violation Theory, Groupthink, The Narrative
Paradigm, Dramatism, The Rhetoric, Media Ecology Theory, and through many
more affective theories that help us better understand our everyday use of
communication.
Goal #3: Possess effective communication skills in oral communication
Knowledge upon entering the program
All through primary schooling I was always afraid to be the center of
attention in a classroom. When we would play popcorn (each student has to read
out loud in class), teachers would call me to answer out loud, or when we had to
public speak in front of the class my heart would begin to race, my palms became
sweaty, the red on my cheeks would slowly intensify, and I would begin to lose
my words. I absolutely dreaded that moment when all my peers’ eyes were on me.
I felt like their eyes were piercing through me, as I would stutter and tamer
through every word that came out of my mouth. At time, if possible, I would try
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to go to the bathroom, pretend I was sick, and volunteer to go last. It was a child’s
living nightmare.
Knowledge upon exiting the program
Throughout my experience at Slippery Rock University it became vital
that I overcome the fear of speaking in public, especially if I was going to become
and effective Communication’s major. During my time at Slippery Rock
University I got to develop and overcome my weaknesses. In almost all my
classes we were required to prepare and present almost all of research topics. This
helped me developed a variety of different oral communication skills. It also
allowed me build my skill in speaking in public and maintaining my audiences
attention.
One class that stands out the most in guiding me to my success was the
class called Public Speaking. This is where I learned how to develop strong
topics, attention getters, thesis statements, purpose statements, a body, and
conclusion. It also helped me to not use fillers, such as, ums, you know, like. It
also taught me how to use appropriate facial and hand gestures and allowed me to
practice speaking clearly and effectively to an audience. In many of my classes
presentations were a requirement, but this class taught me the effective use of oral
communication. The other classes were classes that allowed me to build my oral
communication using the necessary skills I learned in Public Speaking.
The Public Speaking class also taught me how to utilize my materials by
using creditable sources, PowerPoint’s and artifacts to support my topics. This
enabled me to present my material more effectively to an audience.
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Goal 4: Possess effective communication skills in written communication
Knowledge upon entering the program:
All through primary school we were obligated to compose essays. They
required a minimum amount of sources and a minimum page length. I ended up
scrambling through the Internet trying to find quotes to fill my up pages and I
would typically believe the first link that popped up on my topic. Credibility
never crossed my mind. It never phased me whose words I was using in my paper.
Later I learned anyone could put anything up on the Internet. That does not mean
they have the education and evidence to back up their statements.
Knowledge upon exiting the program:
Once I enrolled into college creditable papers were a must. Professors now
required that we only used creditable sources in our papers. In high school, I
would struggle to compose the minimum amount of pages due, now I was
struggling to fix all my information in the maximum amount of pages professors
limited their students to.
As a Communication student I was able to develop my writing technique
through Media Criticism, Propaganda, Communication Law, Communication
Theory, Senior Seminar, Film Analysis, Writing Electronic Media and Film, The
Cinematic Review: Historical and Critical Writing, and The Political Film. These
classes taught me how to articulate through written essays.
For instance, In Media Criticism and Propaganda I developed campaigns
and investigated on how media influences societies. I learned how subliminal
messages are used in slogans to try to get the public to jump onto the bandwagon.
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As a group we developed our own slogans, social media pages, developed a letter
to the editorial staff at a local newspaper, designed a PowerPoint, and shirts. In
my Senior Seminar class I created a resumes, cover letters, and a digital portfolio.
In my film and theory classes I chose papers topics that analyzed films. I would
analysis different genres, techniques, and the hidden messages due to camera
angles, color themes, setting, social distance, facial expression, and the type of
communication used when communicating to one another.
Goal 4: Emerging technology and the use of electronic skills through visual skill.
Knowledge upon entering the program:
I remember growing up we had one computer. It was a large desktop that
made a rattling noise as you turned it on. That was when dial-up was used to
access the Internet. It would take five minutes just access the Internet. This was
when the Internet was just being introduced to the public. Who would believe
where it has taken us today?
I remember writing papers on the WordPad or Notepad application. There
were not many options at this time. Technology was limited and the sources
utilized through books, journals and magazine articles. This was how I used
computers at this time. I played games, compose papers, emailed and talk to
others through instant messenger and chat rooms.
Knowledge upon exiting the program:
During my education as Communication major I have developed skills in
technology using electronic and visual skills built in various classes. In my Visual
Literacy class I learned about different color schemes, color effects, how using the
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appropriate themes together can be visually persuasive to an audience, genres on
how visual literacy were used and developed, and many other effective visual
literacy elements projected around us through art, television, advertisements, and
media. This helped me understand and develop concrete and effective projects in
all my classes like Publication Production.
In my Publication Production I, I designed posters, business cards,
pamphlets, invitations, and informational booklets. Designing each element
required me to focus of on what I wanted to be said or represent. I many used
different type faces, font families, sizes, colors, pictures, shades and design
element to express each project. For instance, a poster must stand out to an
audience. Using fonts like Impact or bold faces helped the key words stand out,
while invitations use more classy cursive fonts for an elegant affair. After taking
Visual Literacy, Publication Production I allowed me to design my own projects
that are visually enticing through print.
Video Production I, I learned how to film and edit my material using
Adobe and in my Publication Production I, see Goal 4: Posses effective
communication through visual skills, using Adobe InDesign. I learned that when
presenting my work I must transfer it into a PDF file. This allows anyone the
ability to view my material. Learning InDesign in Publication Production I has
been beneficial. It has allowed me to use my knowledge for other projects for my
classes or work. It has also allowed me to build a strong resume that is unique and
visually pleasing to the employer.
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Slippery Rock University Communications department provides Mac and
PC computers where students are able to expand their knowledge on different
software’s. In all my classes Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and the access of the
Internet if important to expand our knowledge and allows us to present it to
others. Working different software’s has allowed me to learn shortcut that allow
me to work efficiently in an accelerated rate than before. This has been beneficial
because I can get more things done and no longer waste valuable time.
Goal 5: Possesses effective interpersonal and intercultural skills
Knowledge upon entering the program:
During my primary education the setting was not very diverse, like stated
in Goal 2: Ability to understand the historical development of the practice and
study of human communication, Knowledge upon entering the program. My
family raised me to treat other the way I would like to be treated. While growing
up my parents strongly enforced that I uphold respect, honesty, integrity, and
curiosity. My teachers and parents continuously preached to no speak when other
are speaking, not to talk back, and to listen to others. These great basic
characterizes were a superior foundation to success and helped me significantly
during my education and employment after high school.
Also, while attending high school I took three years foreign language in
German. This allowed me to learn their culture and language. It was very
interesting how many things we say or do in the United States are perceived and
done differently in Germany. For instance the drinking age is different, the okay
sign that we use in America is perceived as a swear work in Germany, citizens in
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Germany manly drive mopeds to get around rather than using cars, and many
other are different. Also their language is very different. For example, they put the
verb at the end of the sentence with ‘ge’ before it.
Knowledge upon exiting the program:
When entering Slippery Rock University I was advised to take Spanish,
because Spanish is quickly becoming the second language in the United States. I
was also told that it would help me stand out and be more eligible for a job.
Therefore, during my time at Slippery Rock University I took three years of
Spanish. This taught me the how to write, speak, and understand the Spanish
language. It was very interested to learn about the different cultures. It was
interesting to see how many different countries that speak Spanish still differ on
some concept, words, and accents, but is still considered a Spanish speaking
nation.
Slippery Rock University setting is very diverse compared to my
hometown. This allowed me to get a better awareness and understanding of many
different ethnicities and beliefs. Slippery Rock University houses many students
from many different countries and states. This allowed me to expand my
knowledge and understanding of the similarities and differences of their cultures
in different classroom settings and activities. Being involved on campus and in
the classroom allowed me to observe diversity, but my Intercultural
Communications class cleared up uncertainties and presented facts rather than
serotypes.
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Attending Slippery Rock University and taking Intercultural
Communications has helped me develop great interpersonal communications
skills. I have learned that it is important to listen to others of ages and ethnicities.
They can teach you many different things.
Also, my interpersonal communications skills have shown strongly while
working in public. Being polite and listening to others is very important in the
work force. To make any industry productive listening skills are vital. Also, not
listening could lead to destruction and harm to others. For instance, while
promoting many different products it is important to greet customers and be
polite. This draws them to listen to what you want them to purchase or to do. I
have learned throughout my classes I have taken at Slippery Rock University that
there are many different way to approach different types of people. This allows
the customer to feel comfortable and more able to relate to the promoter.
It is very important to allow the customer to talk. This has taught me that
listening to a customer’s needs leads to know what their needs are and if they
allergic or have any health problems that will harm or deter them from your
promotion. Throughout my education and employment having strong listening
skill is important when trying to execute an assignment, test, promotion,
production, or while working any job.
Goal 6: Organization and Time Management
Knowledge entering the field:
My parents always enforced perfect attendance and good grades. All
through Elementary School I received perfect attendance and honor roll and in
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Middle School and High School I only missed 1 or 2 days. I will never forget
everyday once I got home from school my parents would ask me the same
question, “Do you have any homework today?” I would have to take my agenda
out of my book bag and show my parents what and when things were due. Our
household rule was: you could not go out and play until your homework was
done. Also, if you are too sick to not go to school you are too sick to go hang out
with your friends. This helped me build great time management and
organizational skill for my future.
Knowledge exiting the field:
During my time at Slippery Rock University I always kept an agenda with
my class assignments, tests, and work schedule. I would list what I needed to
finish first to last so that each got finished on the required due date. Shown in
Goal 1:Knowledge and skills necessary to communicate effectively in personal,
professional, and small group setting, upholding 19-21 credits, having two part
time job, and still doing freelance/ seasonal job it was very important I kept a my
priorities in order and managed my time wisely.
Even though I was an hour and a half away from home my parent’s values
still stuck with me. College is a time where students no longer rely on their
parents, but have to be responsible for their own decision and actions. While
attending Slippery Rock University I would never miss class unless it there was a
serious family or health issue. Anytime I would miss or consider missing class I
would get an uneasy feeling. For class and work I always believe it is better be be
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there extremely early than late. Being on the Dean’s List and being requested by
employers has shown my superior time management and organizational skills.
Personal Goals
Short-Term Goals
Currently I am seeking out jobs within the Pittsburgh area. I have sent out
several resumes to companies outside Pittsburgh, but ideally I would like to stay
in the Pittsburgh area until next year. I am open-minded to new things and
opportunities as they present themselves.
Until I am able to find a full-time position, I am continuing to build my
resume. I am constantly working different promotions, events, and productions
filmed in Pittsburgh. This allows me to continue to expand my knowledge. Each
promotion, event, or production is run differently, about different things and
directed to different markets and age groups. Not only does this allow me to learn
different things, but it also permits me to witness the most affective way to run a
promotion, event or production to make sure the requirements are met and
successfully succeeded.
Long Term Goals
I have always been a very open-minded person to trying new things. I
have always known more of what I do not want to do in life and what I do not like
to do rather than what I dominantly do want to do in life. I believe this is a strong
feature. Having one ideal job that feel I am destine to do could lead to a
disappointment. I believe this makes me a great candidate for future employers
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because I am very versatile. I have always found myself find the best of any
situation and if you work in a family/friendly work area any job is satisfying.
An ideal job would include: some traveling, working in the public eye,
working with in the entertainment industry or constantly around people, a positive
atmosphere, a friendly environment and some other features. I understand with
any job it is not always entertain and there are times were I would have to do
work within an office, but ideally I do not want to constantly be working in an
office or cubical.
After working a work a wide range of jobs, because I currently work
through freelance, I would like to work up the totem pole and become a president
or management figure. I believe through my experiences I am constantly
developing myself and becoming stronger qualified candidate to uphold a
management title. I have run and led promotions before, but I would like to be the
one that supervises and higher employers, like myself, into each event, promotion,
or production.
Desired Entry-Level Job Knowledge and Skill
Communication (Skill Rating 10):
All through my primary education I was would always get nervous talking
in front of others. My palms would become sweaty and I would stutter my words.
After attending Slippery Rock University I have build strong oral and written
communication skills. I have learned how to develop strong persuasive papers
with academic and scientific facts and sources to back up my opinions. Through
my multiple presentations my classes required at Slippery Rock University,
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internship, and employment I am no longer afraid to approach individuals and
speak up in public.
Teamwork & Initiative (Skill Rating: 9)
I have always involved myself in organization and extracurricular
activities. A team is group of people with the same goals. Slippery Rock
University has allowed me to be a part of many different groups with different
desired outcomes. Through my Communication classes like Organizational
Communications, Propaganda, Video Production I has allowed me to build great
skill in leadership while working with others in small groups. I have learned how
important it is to meet new people and built relationships. I have always been
willing to help others, keep the team on task, and to pick up the slack. Working
within small and large groups has been beneficial, rewarding, and educational.
Each person puts forth a different background and idea. Many ideas and
backgrounds bring forth a stronger outcome than what one person could
accomplish.
I have learned through groups work and work that building connections
with other can be very beneficial. I have noticed that people around you can see
the hard effort you put forth and the ability to help others. In the future this could
be beneficial when you may need help or are seeking for a job. They could
become great references.
Interpersonal Skills (Skill Rating: 10)
My listening skills have improved throughout my experience at Slippery
Rock University. When growing up my parents enforced that I listen to my elders
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and not to speak when they were talking. This house hold rule allowed me to
become a better student in the classroom. Listening skill are vital while attending
college. Missing details in the classroom, assignments, and test could lead to a
failure in that class.
Throughout my experiences at Slippery Rock University I have noticed
and self improvements. When applying and executing jobs I noticed that I am a
stronger speaking, listener, and sales person. I noticed it is just important to listen
to the costumers as much as you want them to listen to your sales pitch. Since I
have been a part of the Communication Department I have noticed an increase in
productivity, understanding, grades, and I have been requested more by clients.
Motivation & Enthusiasm (Skill Rating: 10)
I have learned to be enthusiastic, positive, and motivated through my
education at Slippery Rock University and in the job force. For example, many
professors require that you present you assignment or projects to the class. I have
learned through my Public Speaking class that it is important to be enthusiastic
about your topics. This will guide your audience into what you are trying to
present.
I have learned the importance of staying motivated. I believe motivation
lies within your goals. After taking a year off of school I was motivated to
graduate on time. This meant that I would have to take 18-21 credits each
semester and be a full time student in the summer. My motivation led me to
successfully concur my goal. This is one key example of how motivation at
school or at work is very beneficial when you have set goals to that you want to
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accomplish. Slippery Rock University classes has allowed their students to
develop goals that their student want to succeed by the end of the semester or
graduation.
Flexibility, Adaptability & Analytical skills (Skill Rating: 9)
Working in groups has helped me adapt to new ideas and personalities. When
working with others to accomplish and assignment I have learned to try to be
more flexible and adaptable to others needs and wants. I have learned through my
experiences at Slippery Rock University that is important to try to incorporate or
vote on ideas and propositions. The reason I give myself a skill rating a nine is
because I have always put filled my schedule with things I have to do. When
working in a group it has become a challenge to get everyone together due to
everyone’s different priorities and schedules. This was a main challenge I faced
while working in group activities. Conflicts inside a group have allowed me to
build analytical skill. I have built strong decision making and problem solving
skills have while working in classroom group assignments and while working in
the public.
Organization, Time Management & Strong Work Ethics (Skill Rating: 10)
After taking 18-21 credits for several semesters, upholding two part time
jobs, and picking up freelance and seasonal jobs I have build strong organization,
time management, and work ethics. Keeping my agenda and calendars up to date,
and listing my requirements by their due date has allowed me to stay organized
and have prepared when test and/or assignments are due. Being on the Dean’s List
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and being requested my employers has kept me motivated to continue to
development and maintain my strong organization and time management that I
have learned during my time at Slippery Rock University.
Conclusion
A Bachelors of Arts degree in Communications is the best degree that suits my
interests. It has allows me to expand my knowledge in many different areas and build my
education upon what I’m dominantly interested in. A Bachelors of Arts degree allowed
me to choose the classes that best mold me to my ideal profession/s.
Slippery Rock University’s Communications depart has helped me build a strong
education that will guide me to a successful future. Now it is my responsibility to go
forward to seek out jobs and put forth my knowledge I have acquired. It is important for
me to continue to keep up with the news, media, and technology with my degree.
Slippery Rock University has helped me build a foundation to success. I am an eager, but
proud graduate of Slippery Rock University and thankful for the wonderful experiences I
have been apart of while being enrolled in this university and department.