I interned with the St. Cloud Rox Baseball Club during Summer 2019 as the Game Day Promotions Assistant. At the conclusion of the internship, my supervisor expressed interest in having me return in 2020 in a full-time internship role. Because I was graduating within the next few months, I was initially hesitant to accept another internship position. However, I ultimately accepted a role as Promotional Coordinator.

My responsibilities include leading all pre-game, in-game, and post-game on-field promotions; scheduling National Anthem singers; assisting in the ticket office by answering phone calls and selling tickets; and supporting the overall operations of the Rox organization. My Communication Studies coursework has been directly applicable to this role due to the high level of interaction with fans and sponsors. As part of the promotional staff, I am expected to build relationships with everyone I encounter, and the ability to communicate effectively with fans of all ages has been a significant asset.

I am in the process of completing the Higher Education Administration master’s program at St. Cloud State University. I am finishing my first year in the program and recently concluded my fifth and final year of my swimming career at St. Cloud State University. I have also begun my role as an Admissions Counselor at St. Cloud State University.

As an Undergraduate Admissions Counselor, I support the Office of Undergraduate Admissions by identifying, attracting, and enrolling an academically talented and diverse student body. I contribute to the office’s outreach mission by maintaining a full schedule of recruitment initiatives and relationship-building activities for my assigned territory. I also work with incoming first-year, transfer, and concurrent enrollment student populations. This role is extremely rewarding, and I am grateful to continue my professional career as a Husky.

Learning how to be an effective communicator and strengthening my confidence in public speaking were the most valuable aspects of my Communication Studies major. I also greatly enjoyed the coursework, especially content focused on interpersonal relationships.

I currently work as a Business Development Representative for Green Street Advisors in Dallas, Texas. Green Street Advisors is an industry leader in real estate and real estate investment trust (REIT) research and advisory services. In my role, I seek out and develop relationships with individuals and organizations that may become future clients.

My Communication Studies major taught me how to communicate comfortably and effectively with a wide range of people. One of the most valuable outcomes of the program—though challenging at the time—was being pushed outside my comfort zone. Developing confidence in public speaking has proven to be a significant asset in any career, particularly in sales-focused roles.

Additionally, interacting with people from diverse countries, backgrounds, and cultures and becoming comfortable engaging in thoughtful, genuine conversations has helped me succeed professionally and, more importantly, in life.

I currently work at Marvin as a Human Resources Administrator. In this role, I support a wide range of functions, including direct talent acquisition through the pre-employment and onboarding process. I also provide backup support for the payroll department and serve as a primary contact for an organization of more than 2,000 employees.

Recently, I have become more involved in benefits administration, which I am excited to pursue further. I apply what I learned through Communication Studies every day, and my education and experiences in the department allow me to perform my role with a high degree of empathy, confidence, and openness.

I work as a Life Enrichment Director at an assisted living community. In this role, I plan, coordinate, and implement programs, events, outings, and celebrations that provide residents with opportunities for physical, social, intellectual, and spiritual development. I love my job because I am able to make a meaningful impact on seniors’ lives. It is also a very hands-on position with a small amount of office work, which I enjoy.

My major has been extremely beneficial in my role by providing me with strong communication skills. It has taught me how to de-escalate and resolve conflict among residents, as well as how to manage staff-related issues. Intercultural communication coursework has helped me communicate more effectively with staff members from other countries. My effective listening class has also been invaluable; working with older adults often involves listening to concerns or venting, and being a strong listener has helped me build trust and positive relationships with residents.

Overall, Communication Studies gave me the tools to become a more confident speaker and a more effective communicator.