Communications Day featured students

Today is Communications Day for LAS Week! Meet some of the outstanding students majoring in areas of communications in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and learn about their student experiences.

Kenni Terrell

Major
Journalism and Mass Communication

Minors
English, Event Management and Women’s Studies

When I came to ISU, I never thought I would . . .
"Be as involved in the community as I am now."

One thing that surprised me about majoring in Journalism is . . .
"The people you meet for interviews, even here on campus!"

My most memorable ISU experience so far
"Going to the 2017 Auto-Zone Liberty Bowl game in Memphis, Tennessee, and having the Cyclones take home the trophy."

Best lesson learned during an internship
"Stick up for what you believe in."

I plan to make a difference in the world by . . .
"Continuing to be present and active in my communities."

Sarah Kreutner

Major
Technical Communication

Minors
Computer Science and Design Studies

One thing that surprised me about majoring in Technical Communication is . . .
"Many people don’t know that Tech Comm exists, so I get to explain what I do pretty often! For those who may not know, technical communication is about sharing complex ideas clearly and concisely. Technical communicators create instructions, websites, reports, and much more. We’re interested in making things usable and useful in the real world. Most companies employ some version of a technical communicator, such as a tech writer, business analyst, communication specialist, or web manager."

I love my major because . . .
"Tech Comm is very flexible, especially combined with my minors. I like learning new things and writing clearly, and those skills are applicable in pretty much any field! I’m also studying design and programming because they complement writing very well. The intersections between writing, design, and technology are fascinating!"

Favorite course so far in my major
"It’s hard to choose, but Intro to Tech Comm (ENGL 214) and Rhetorical Website Design (ENGL 313) are at the top of the list. Intro to Tech Comm helped me decide what major to choose, and I had a blast developing my own website in Web Design. I also enjoyed co-leading a section of Introduction to Honors (HON 121) for freshman Honors students last semester."

Advice to future Technical Communication majors
"You have a lot of freedom in LAS to be creative with your gen eds – pick classes that sound interesting! There are tons of options. I decided to try a programming class my first semester, and ended up adding Computer Science as a minor. I also took ‘physics without math’ and neuropsychology, and enjoyed both. You have a great chance to explore and get some technical skills at the same time. And if you don’t like what you picked, then you know to look for different opportunities in the future!"

I would encourage other students to check out opportunities outside the classroom like . . .
"Make to Innovate! Make to Innovate, aka M:2:I, is an Aerospace Engineering program for student-led engineering projects like wind turbines and Mars rovers. Some teams focus on research, while others compete. I’m part of the Cyclone Student Launch Initiative team, which builds a big rocket for a NASA competition! Since I’m in Tech Comm, I edit our reports and redesigned the team website this year. M:2:I is open to any major, and they are actively looking for non-engineers to build interdisciplinary teams. You even get course credit for participating!"

Malik T. Newson

Major
Journalism and Mass Communication

Minors
World Film Studies and Political Science

Most memorable ISU experience so far
"Being the master of ceremonies for the 2017 Feast on the First Amendment."

I love my major because . . .
"The way we can connect others through the sharing of information."

How a professor has supported me
"Dr. Michael Bugeja was one of the first people to really take interest in my efforts and I strive to become a better journalist thanks to his teachings and the lessons I’ve learned from the rest of the amazing faculty at Greenlee."

Advice to future Journalism and Mass Communication majors
"Always be ready with a pen and paper, a smile and a welcoming ear to listen."

Proudest moment at ISU
"Being selected to attend the 2017 Freedom Fund banquet for the NAACP."

I plan to make a difference in the world by . . .
"Using my abilities as a broadcast journalist to educate and inform the future generations of the world’s realities."

Kelly Koch

*Major
Public Relations

Minor
Child, Adult, and Family Services

When I came to ISU, I never thought I would . . .

"When I came to ISU, I never thought I would end up being a public relations major. When I was an incoming freshman, I had every intention of being an elementary school teacher. This ambition eventually morphed into wanting to be a pediatric healthcare professional who provides the extra care and comfort a child needs during their hospital stay. You’re probably asking, ‘How did you go from working with children to being in the communications/public relations field?’ Well, it all has to do with my experiences as Miss Iowa 2016. The job of Miss Iowa is to not only market yourself and establish good PR for who you are, but also your personal platform and the platform of the Miss America Organization. The Miss America Organization’s national platform is the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMNH). My personal platform was entitled the Pinky Swear Foundation, which is an organization that helps families who have a child with cancer pay for non-medical bills. I was a part of philanthropic events, major speaking engagements, was on many news and radio shows, and was also on live national television during the Miss America Pageant where I placed in the top ten. All of these experiences speaking and promoting myself, Pinky Swear and CMNH made me realize I have a gift for changing the world with my voice."

Most memorable ISU experience so far
"My most memorable experience at ISU so far was being announced at a Cyclone Football game while I was the reigning Miss Iowa. Standing on that field in front of the university that I was representing during my year of service was so exciting and so humbling."

I love my major because . . .
"I love my major because it gives people the opportunity to work in so many different areas and explore how to make the world around them a better place."

I plan to make a difference in the world by . . .
"Working for a large corporation that shares my same values, is heavily involved in community relations and supports nonprofit organizations. My goal is to be a community relations director for a large company. I also plan to continue my own volunteer and nonprofit work outside of my professional career."

Best lesson learned during an internship
"The best lesson I have learned during an internship is to step outside your comfort zone and ask questions. I never would have obtained the amazing internship I have now in the communications department at Hy-Vee corporate if I didn’t take the step to ask for a meeting with one of the department heads. I wanted to learn more about the role of the assistant vice president of community relations, and this meeting led to me obtaining an internship!"