As I sit back and reminisce on my time here at UNCW, I can honestly say that these past four years have been the best years of my life. When I first arrived here, I had no clue what I wanted to major in. After asking other people for a couple weeks what major I should pursue someone mentioned COM to me because of my wide variety of interest. That recommendation shaped my four years here and I am forever thankful for that person because his advice changed my life for the better.
I remember walking into Dr. Weber’s 105 class as if it was yesterday. I was filled with nervousness and anxiety because I had no idea what to expect. Thankfully, Dr. Weber and his charismatic personality helped calm my nerves and anxiety and I was able to enjoy my time in the class. After taking 105 I felt confident that COM was the major for me but what career I would pursue with it was still a question I could not answer.
Once I enrolled into COM 200 things began to become clearer for me. Since COM 200 is the last gateway class, during that class I started to get exposed to certain focuses that the department offers. The one that struck me was Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC). I was attracted to IMC because I loved the idea of being able to use my creativity and learning how to market products or campaigns. I think that knowing what attracts consumers and how to properly do the research to determine that are huge components of an entrepreneur, which is what I strive to be.
I can not express enough how much this major had shaped me professionally. Having the ability to communicate and work with others has provided me with internship opportunities and jobs throughout my four years. For those who are reading this and are not for sure about COM, understand that in this department the tools and networking opportunities that you will be provided with are irreplaceable.
It saddens me to think that this is my last month here, but I leave here with no regrets. The friendships I made here, and the things that I learned I know I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
- Cedric
IMC Hawks Blog 
Cedric,
This article mirrors my experiences both here at UNCW and my overall journey as a COM major. Your uncertainty on a major, introduction to COM and IMC, and even your thought process on picking a career feels like a journal. I wish to say congratulations and I hope you become the entrepreneur you long to be. UNCW will miss you.
This post is so relatable. My first year and a half at UNCW was incredibly confusing and frustrating until I found COM. It is amazing tot think about how when you aren’t on the right path everything seems jaded but the very day that I signed up for my first COM class everything changed. I’m a junior so I have another year left but I will most definitely miss UNCW, the COM department, and cherish the memories and friends that I’ve made here.
Hey Cedric!
I also did not know what I wanted to major in when first starting out here at UNCW. After taking COM 105, I also thought that the communication studies major would be a good fit for me. I plan on my concentration being marketing as well. I have always been very interested in brands and the way companies advertise their products. Since every company uses advertising in some way, focusing on marketing will be beneficial in any workplace after school. I can not believe how fast college is flying by. I wish you the best of luck when you graduate!
While I still have three more semesters left before my graduation, I can relate to what your feeling. When I graduated high school, it almost seemed surreal. To leave a place where you made so many memories, friends, and reputations. To leave all that behind and start somewhere else is challenging to think about, but nevertheless exciting at the same time. I was pretty well known to everyone in my class and considered a friend to all, but to pick up and go to a college university where there’s three times as many people, and nearly nobody knows you, that’s hard to do. But we all have to adapt to different situations, which ultimately prepares us better for the future.
Best of luck to you!
Reading this helped my gain a new perspective on how I should spend the rest of my time in college. Time really does fly by and often times so many people end up wasting their time and not living in the moment. That is something I could definitely work on.
Cedric,
This was beautifully written. I can’t relate to this whole thing because I still have two years left at uncw but I can relate to your love for the COM department. I also came to college not knowing what I wanted to major in until I found COM. I now know that it’s the perfect major for me. I can’t wait for the next two years and to learn more and to grow as a person!
Hey Cedric, I was actually a rising senior when I decided to change my major to COM and I do not regret it at all! I am currently taking com 105, 200, and 231 all at the same time and retaining so much great information and having fun while doing it. I too will be sad to walk away form this beautiful school and wonderful professors when the time comes. I hope the real world treats you well and you get the job of your dreams with this major, because I know that’s what I’m working towards.
Cedric,
I love your article!! It sparked so many memories and emotions for me. It was so relatable and entertaining. I had a pretty similar story coming into UNCW. I also had no idea what I wanted to major in and found the wide variety com brought very appealing. I also remember being so nervous for Com 105 and 200 as they were huge lectures but found the professors make these classes much more enjoyable. I am only a sophomore here but reading this article made me stop and reflect on how amazing my time here has been. I truly need to treasure my time as a com major here more. Congrats on all you have done here and for making it through this major. You and all of the graduating com majors are amazing role models for me.
Best of luck!
Victoria Nelson
Cedric,
Thanks so much for sharing! As someone who just recently changed their major to COM, I can absolutely appreciate everything you just said as it inspired me. I already knew I wanted to do something with marketing, so your post has made me want to look closer into IMC and where that can take me during my time here at UNCW and furthermore in a future career. My current IMC class is really the only class I’m currently taking that I am truly interested in and actually enjoy. I look forward to going to class rather than dread it! I can’t wait to dive into IMC a little more. Sharing your experience was really nice, and helped me a lot. I appreciate it!
Thanks again,
Tina
I really love this post because UNCW is truly my happy place. When I was finally able to find a major that perfectly suited me (COM), my life really started to open up with tons of opportunities. I cannot wait to get deeper into my major and continue studying the art of communication. I do not want to even think about graduation and leaving this beautiful place but I will be so grateful for the time I was able to spend here!
Cedric, great post. I personally transferred to UNCW and came in as an Anthropology major. I am really glad I ended up changing my major to Communication Studies, I have made so many friends and gained so many amazing opportunities that would’ve never happened if I didn’t become a COM major. I have one more year at UNCW but I know I am going to miss the COM department when I leave.