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


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.


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.


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.


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


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.


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.

joanna waldsmith

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