IMC Hawks Blog

Category: Communication Studies

  • The Ups and Downs of College Through Hurricanes & a Pandemic

    By Mia Bruce

    (Photo by Philippe Bout via Unsplash)

    A Rocky Beginning to College

    As an incoming freshman to UNCW, I had typical expectations of what my college experience would be like. My first semester started off well for the first three weeks of class. In September, I decided to come home for the weekend to work an event and never would have realized that I would end up being at home for five weeks.

    Hurricane Florence decided to make an appearance and keep me at home for those five weeks. Once the university reopened following Florence, I planned on coming back to my freshman apartment to move back in. Right before I was about to head back, I received an email saying that the University Apartments were not going to be reopened and I would be displaced to an alternate living situation. I was assigned to live in a hotel near campus. After already feeling disconnected with my freshman peers, being moved a mile off campus to a hotel elevated those feelings even worse. Within the first eight weeks of my college experience, I had moved three hours away from home, moved back and moved three hours away for the second time into a hotel off campus.

    The second half of my freshman semester offered a lot more peace than the first semester did. I was able to move back on campus to an upper classman apartment and felt more connected with my college and peers. I was able to join an on-campus club and make new friends at UNCW. In addition to joining campus commitments, I also started working part-time at a local doggy daycare facility. After an eventful first semester, I was able to finally settle in to a “normal” life for my second semester.

    Transitioning to a Pandemic Lifestyle

    Just when I thought my “weird” college experience was over and it was only normal going forward, I was surely mistaken. I was graciously given a whole year of normalcy during 2019. Halfway through the spring of 2020, the world paused in March of 2020 when COVID-19 reared its ugly head. UNCW moved all my courses online and my work even shut down during this time.

    In June of 2020, my work had finally opened after being closed for 2.5 months and I returned to work full-time. To keep working full-time, I continued with online courses for the fall of 2020 and the following two semesters after that. Going from all in-person courses to all online was quite the adjustment. Working full-time while maintaining a full course load was not easy either. At times, I had to prioritize my work which ultimately caused issues for me down the road. With the freedom of asynchronous classes, I was able to work forty hours a week. In the spring of 2021, despite a full course load and a full-time work schedule, I took on another responsibility. I was elected for the position of VP of Administration for UNCW’s Panhellenic Council for 2021.

    This position taught me a lot of responsibility as the responsibility party for UNCW’s sorority life. In this position, I was a part of the planning process for Formal Recruitment and the months of planning that went into planning it. This position was practically an unpaid part-time job. Having the discipline to balance work, school, Panhellenic, and my social life was a tricky equation. With this added responsibility, I quickly had to adjust my priorities to stay on top of all these responsibilities. By the end of the 2021, I reached the end of my term and gained a lot of experience in the process.

    Final Review of My Time at UNCW

    During my time at UNCW, I didn’t get the typical college experience, but I sure was able to have an interesting one. Starting with a hurricane, having multiple moves, a pandemic but I was able to gain a lot of learning experiences throughout the process. Going into college I had a plan in my head that ultimately was completely rearranged by the end of my time at UNCW. I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, and it has been proved throughout my time here.

    If I wouldn’t have felt distant following my freshman year from moving due to the hurricane, I probably wouldn’t have joined a sorority the fall of my sophomore year. If I didn’t go through Formal Recruitment, I would’ve never been able to have the opportunity to join UNCW’s Panhellenic Council. Without joining Panhellenic Council, I would have never gained real world experience with event planning and personal prioritization.

    Even though in the moment I wished that I had a normal college experience, I wouldn’t trade my experience for anyone else’s. I feel like I gained even more personal life experience with this route compared to a “normal” route. I got more work experience than I would have gotten if the pandemic didn’t happen and took on a position that gifted me exposure to life experience.

    (Photo by Cole Keister via Unsplash)

  • 3 Reasons to Major in Communication Studies

    By: Gabe Thomas

    When I started my college career in the fall of 2018, I was unsure of what I wanted my major to be. After taking the time to go through every possible career choice that interested me, I narrowed down my possible majors to communication studies and business. When I looked through the possible courses I could take through UNCW’s Communication Studies department, I was excited by the opportunities available. Four years later, I am incredibly grateful for the decision I made then, and have learned so much along the way. As I reflect on my experience at UNCW, there are three main factors that contributed to a positive experience.

    (Photo by UNCW)

    Variety of Skills

    First was the range of options offered to students in the program. As I freshman I entered school knowing that I was interested in sales or marketing as a career, but that was the extent of my hopes for my professional future. Communication studies allowed me to take a variety of classes that allowed me to broaden my understanding of the professional workplace, and later narrow my focus on a more specific career path. Taking classes such as strategic writing grew my skills in writing with a target audience in mind, while classes I took in integrated marketing taught me how to build a brand, understand your message, and develop campaigns.

                Skills that I learned through the courses I have taken are much more than learning “how to communicate,” and have expanded my understanding of many facets of business and the workplace. I am not only more prepared for the workplace now than I was before college, but am also confident that the information I have learned will be of practical use to me in my future career.

    Unique Coursework

    Another factor that led to a great experience through communication studies was the class structure of most of my courses. I have many years of experience from an early age through high school and into college to know that I do not thrive when taking exams. Not only have I always been slow to complete standardized tests, but I learn less when I am studying simply to pass an exam. While I did not manage to fully escape tests throughout my time at UNCW, most of the classes that I took during my college career gave me many other ways to weigh my grade that suited me much better. In most of my classes, I was graded on assignments with team members, presentations within the class, and writing assignments. All of which will better prepare me for future jobs.

    Learning…Not just about COM Studies

                The last factor that led to a positive experience as a UNCW COM student was the freedom to take classes outside of the department. I know is a slight juxtaposition, but because of this, I was excited about my learning through taking classes that I was curious about and interested in. Communication studies have fewer credits required to complete the major than some other majors, and therefore to complete my credit hour requirements for the university I was able to fulfill them through a range of interesting classes. Compared to many of my friends in different majors that spent all four years taking classes that were all related, I was able to study many different topics such as concepts in film, the theory, and practice of hip hop, religion classes, and much more that kept me inspired about the experience of learning.

                This ability to take courses outside of COM also led to me minoring in leadership studies. I took Leadership 211 as an elective course during my junior year and was blown away by the professor, and my understanding and growth of myself as a leader. Because of the flexibility I had in my major I was able to dive further into this subject and ended up completing my minor, which I could not have done otherwise.

                As I finish up my last semester at UNCW, I can say without a doubt that I have no regrets about becoming a communication studies major. The courses I have taken gave me practical experience in the workplace, kept me excited about learning, and presented me with opportunities that were both challenging and rewarding. I am eager to begin a new part of my professional life and I am forever grateful to UNCW for the many amazing experiences.

  • It’s More Than Four More Years of School

    By Hope Weaver

    (Photo from uncw.edu)

    Big Decisions

    Entering the college atmosphere comes with a lot of pressure. Choosing a major, making new friends, living independently for the first time, mastering time management are all things that the college experience teaches you. It is a stressful environment and can seem like a daunting four years. Choosing a major is the first decision that is required of a college student. Determining an area of study is no easy task. It is important to keep in mind future careers and business opportunities when picking a major and minor. In my experience, this decision came with many follow-up questions. I had to ask myself where I wanted to be in four years, what I saw myself doing, and whom I saw myself around. I originally chose Business as my major, but soon realized that it was not for me. I felt defeated by the classes, pressured to be someone I was not, began comparing myself to other students, and my grades began to suffer. I wanted to be challenged in my academics but feeling like a failure was a price I was not willing to pay. I changed my major second semester of my freshman year and I am extremely happy that I did. I wanted to enjoy college for all it had to offer while succeeding in my coursework.

    (Photo from uncw.edu)

    College Changes

    I am able to speak in front of people without my anxiety taking over, I am confident in my verbal communication skill, I can lead others successfully all because of a decision I made my second semester of college. I had to do deep self-reflection in order to make the right decision for my college studies. I chose to major in Communication and minor in Leadership because it made me feel more fulfilled as a student and as an individual. More specifically, I felt that I was learning material that would not only help me with my academic studies but my journey into adulthood as well. The study of Communication would give me tools to succeed beyond college and prepare me for all of my future career endeavors. I didn’t think that I would resonate with a Leadership minor. I saw myself as a follower not a leader, but with my knowledge now I understand that leaders are not born, they are made. I have the ability to communicate effectively and efficiently with those around me regardless of the environment. I am thankful that I changed my major so early on because now, as a soon to be college graduate, I have a variety of career options available to me.

    For example, I can use the interpersonal communication skills I have learned to be a personal assistant, helping others organize their daily life and maintain their responsibilities in a professional way. I can channel my organizational communication skills and find a career as an event planner. Using what I know about groups and communication styles to help other’s visions come to life. On the other hand, the skills I learned regarding verbal and non-verbal communication would be well suited in a sales position or human resources. Lastly, I can utilize the social media experiences I already have combined with my communication and virtual leadership tools to be a social media manager.

    Dear Future Seahawks

    If I could give advice to first-year students, it would be to view college as a personal growth tool instead of a mandatory step towards corporate America. College is an incredible stepping stone toward professional careers but that is not all it is worth. The memories I made, friends I gained, lessons I learned, and the changes I made are far more important than the career opportunities that followed. I would encourage college freshmen to choose a major that makes them feel passionate about learning and self-discovery. During my time at UNCW, I experienced two hurricanes and the start of a global pandemic. With these interruptions it was very hard to stay focused on my education; I am thankful for the technology I was able to rely on during this time and would encourage others to make use of their resources. UNCW and many other institutions make success very possible. It is important to view education as more than an academic outlet. Meaning, if taken seriously the college experience is the gateway to adulthood. I am proud to be a college graduate and even more proud of the person I have grown to be in the last four years here at UNCW.

  • An Unconventional College Experience: My Four Years at UNCW

    By: Jaime Mull

    (Photo by UNCW)

    I’m graduating college in less than two months. It doesn’t feel real.

    To say it has been a difficult, but exciting, four years at UNCW is an understatement. Being in college during two major hurricanes and a pandemic hasn’t been easy in the slightest. Regardless of the challenges I’ve faced, it has also been the best four years of my life. I’ve learned so much about myself in my time at UNCW, and I feel like I’ve become a better person along the way. College is one of the most unique experiences and it truly forces you to leap headfirst out of your comfort zone.

    Here is a breakdown of my last four years at UNCW, and how what I’ve been through has helped me grow into the person I am now.

    Freshman Year

    Your 18th birthday is supposed to be an exciting day, signifying your transition into adulthood, and yet it was one of the saddest days of my life. I started my freshman year at UNCW in August of 2018. The day I moved into the suites, an on-campus dormitory that had 10 single bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, was my 18th birthday. I had never left my family for more than a weekend, and I was suddenly being thrown into this new home where I knew practically no one. I remember going to Mellow Mushroom for lunch with my family and before we even got our pizza, I broke down into tears. I had this overwhelming feeling of homesickness, and my family hadn’t even left yet. I was homesick for the next few weeks, calling my mom every day and already planning my next visit home. Lucky for me, I got my wish less than a month after moving in.

    Hurricane Florence landed in North Carolina on September 14th, 2018. UNCW issued a voluntary evacuation only a few days prior, and I was already back at home before the hurricane hit. Classes were canceled for the time being, and I remember thinking I would be gone for a week at the most. One month later, I was still at home. It was so strange to have just moved into my new home and have to make new friends, only to have it ripped away in just a few weeks. I felt like I was back at square one, having lost all the progress I had made at school. Little did I know, this wasn’t the worst thing that would happen in my time at UNCW, and it was only the beginning.

    (Photo by Raleigh News and Observer)

    Sophomore Year

    My freshman year went pretty smoothly after that. I made friends with my suitemates, did pretty well in my classes, and got a job working at a student-living apartment complex. Florence definitely set me back, but I made it back okay and with little to no damage. I became close with two of my suitemates, and we decided to live together at the apartments I worked at in my sophomore year. Another hurricane, Hurricane Dorian, hit almost a year after Florence, but it was much less severe and this time I was only home for a week.

    The real storm hit in March of 2020 with Covid-19. Classes were all moved online, and I lost my job at the apartment complex in April. Honestly, I was just really scared and had no idea what the future held at that moment. I remember watching the movie Contagion with my roommate when news of Covid-19 started spreading and looking back on it now two years later, it’s scary how similar the movie has become to our reality.

    Junior Year

    My third year at UNCW was pretty unremarkable, to tell you the truth. I got a new job, and just before my first day of work, I tested positive for Covid-19 for the first time. I had about all of the symptoms you could possibly have, but luckily, I fully recovered.

    Up until this point, classes hadn’t been too difficult, and I had been mostly taking gen-ed’s and pre-COM classes. During junior year, I fully enrolled as a Communication Studies major and began taking more advanced classes, like Rhetorical Theory. I had also already begun taking courses to complete my journalism minor, which was really exciting. I had courses with some of my favorite professors at UNCW during my sophomore and junior year, and most were in the Journalism and English department.

    I was beginning to really enjoy my time at UNCW. Of course, I had been enjoying it for the past two years as well, but once you start getting into the classes that you’re really interested in, college becomes a whole new level of excitement. Getting to take multiple classes with some of your favorite professors and learning from people who really enjoy teaching is something I began to appreciate and not take for granted.

    Senior Year

    And just like that, it was senior year. For the past three years, college felt like it was never going to end. I’m sure a lot of college students feel the same way, but I think it’s because you don’t really want to accept that you’re going to have to finish at some point. Now that I’m in my last year, the fact that I’m going to be graduating and moving to a different city in just a few months is hitting me like a truck.

    I’ve met so many amazing people during my time at UNCW. I’ve taken really fun, interesting classes, and also some classes that maybe weren’t for me, but that’s just all part of the experience. College is a time for you to try new things and branch out of your comfort zone, even if there were a lot of rough patches along the way. At least I can say I’ve grown, mentally and emotionally, since the day I moved in four years ago.

  • Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining: My College Journey

    By Seth Hunter

    (Photo from uncw.edu)

    My experience at UNCW has been anything other than normal, which I am sure many of my fellow students can relate to. While I did not have the “typical college experience” that I was hoping for, I found a love for this school and my experiences. I have faced many trials and tribulations during my time here and while I did not realize that they would affect me at the time, they did teach me a lot.

    Hurricanes

    I started UNCW in the Fall semester of 2018 and about a few weeks into my freshman year Wilmington experienced a terrible hurricane named Florence. This hurricane forced the university to shut down for a month and all the students had to return home during this time. I can’t speak for all UNCW students, but my classes did not require us to do any homework or classwork during this time and this unfortunately harmed me. I was taking Calculus that semester and missing a month of it put me far behind and I ultimately had to drop it midway through the semester.

    The hurricane did more than affect my schooling, it also hindered my chance to make friends with other freshmen. I lived in the former University Apartments, which have since been replaced by the new dorms that were built within the past year. My dorms were the most affected by the hurricane, other students and I were placed in different living locations. Some students lived in common rooms, some lived in a hotel, and others like me had to sign a lease for an off-campus apartment. While it was fun to live off campus with no rules, I did miss out on the freshmen experience that I hoped to receive where I would meet other freshman and do on campus activities throughout the week.

    Changing Majors

    Coming into my freshman year I was a pre-business major with some credits under my belt from high school. To apply for business school, I had to pass Calculus, but my plans changed when I had to drop the class. I scrapped my business degree plans and opted for a Communication Studies degree with a minor in business. I switched to this major because I did not know what I wanted to do with my life and this degree covered a vast range of careers. Changing majors was the best thing that happened to me because I was able to try out some different career fields and found that I enjoyed working with social media and digital design. I focused on Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) with my degree and have rediscovered a passion for art that I lost when I was a child. While Hurricane Florence was a terrible disaster, it did steer me in a new direction I was not aware of, and it shaped my career path.

    On Lockdown

    After recovering from Hurricane Florence causing problems in my college experience, I was able to get back onto my feet and enjoy the rest of my freshman year and most of my sophomore year. This unfortunately changed in March of 2020 when COVID-19 began to affect the world forcing most places to shut down accordingly. I was on an internship for the Disney College Program during this time which was cut short because of COVID, preventing me from doing more networking like I was trying to do while there.

    COVID left lasting effects on me, and I am sure everyone can relate to being affected by it negatively. For the first time I was not able to attend any classes in person and had to become used to interacting with teachers and classmates over a screen. I had always been an extrovert, so it was difficult for me to become an introvert because of the lockdowns and restrictions. COVID turned me into a homebody, and I saw a decrease in my ability to interact with people face-to-face, which I am still working to reverse even now.

    I know that I am not the only college student who experienced challenges during college, and I know that many of my fellow UNCW students have a similar story to me. I did not let these challenges keep me down, instead I was always growing and evolving despite any trial I was facing. Some of these challenges left a positive effect on me such as discovering a new career passion and trying new hobbies while on lockdown. UNCW has become my home and I encourage all new students to always find the silver lining despite the many clouds they will encounter during their time here.

  • Make The Most of It – From a Graduating Senior

    By: Julia Dolinshek

    (Photo by: Jennifer Dolinshek)

    Some may say that college is the best four years of your life, and others may argue that it is the most confusing and chaotic. As a senior in college, I have experienced a little bit of both.

    A Fresh and Exciting New Beginning

    Coming into college, I was excited, optimistic about the future, and eager. As time goes on throughout these four years, challenges are to come. Burnout is expected, as well as unexpected events. Pushing through college as a UNCW COM student has been one of the best experiences I have had so far.

    As a freshman in college, I was unsure of specifics when it came to college, but I always knew I wanted to attend. Education was important to me and the future that I dreamed of. Beginning with the basic classes, I had many ideas circulating around my mind as to what path I wanted to go down. Experimenting with different courses helped lead me to the major I chose: Communication Studies.

    (Photo by: Jennifer Dolinshek)

    The Possibilities of Communication Studies

    When I decided to take the beginner COM course, I was unsure of the opportunities and experiences that a major in COM could provide for me. I learned that COM can be useful in many career paths, including marketing. Marketing and social media advertising have always sparked my interest. As I grew in my major and began to take higher-level courses, I was able to gain knowledge and skills from the Integrated Marketing Communication courses that were offered. I obtained so many helpful lessons such as how to reach your intended target audience, design skills, writing skills, and how to market throughout social media platforms. These skills have been extremely useful throughout my marketing internship, and the current job I hold now. The education I was provided will also smoothly guide me through any future jobs I will hold.

    Expect The Unexpected

    I feel greatly prepared for my future after graduation with the education that I have received. It hasn’t always been an easy journey, though. Unexpected events should always be expected. The COVID-19 pandemic is something I never thought I would have to experience. For it to happen during my college career made it even more difficult. I was a sophomore when the pandemic struck, and I was unsure of what the future would hold. Online classes were put into place, which was a new experience for me after having the majority of my classes held on campus. UNCW and the COM department as a whole took great precautions and steps in order to keep students safe as well as get them the best education they possibly could have received. Classes were held via Zoom, but I still felt a sense of community and togetherness throughout the whole experience. The COM professors made it easy and worked around difficult circumstances. They were there for the students who needed extra assistance to be successful. We were still able to work as teams and collaborate effectively. I believe that everyone worked strongly as a team in order for us to get to the point we are at now. Without the motivation and drive from my professors and fellow classmates within the COM department, I wouldn’t have made it successfully. Although attending college during a pandemic isn’t an ideal option for most, UNCW made it possible for me to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

    Get Involved and Make the Most of it

    For any pre-COM or current COM students reading, I encourage you to make the most out of your major. There are various opportunities and ways to get involved within the Communication Studies program.  The opportunities provided will not only assist your future self but will also allow you to experience and grow with many other students who are in the same position as you. UNCW is a great place to be and also a great place to learn.

    These four years will go by fast, and then onto the real world. College is a time to experience new things, express yourself, and make an impact. Although I am sad to see this chapter of life come to an end, I am hopeful and excited for the future. Make the most of your time, take advantage of the countless opportunities and assistance, and have fun! I am grateful and thankful to have made it through this far, and I couldn’t have done it alone. Congrats to the class of 2022!

    (Photo by: Jennifer Dolinshek)

  • Succeed as a student by Passing on Passivity

    By Jacob Guiler-Martinez

    (Photo from Adobe Stock)

    As students our job is to learn new skills, so we are constantly weighed down by fear of the unknown. It is easy to let this pressure build up to the point that you do not want to leave your comfort zone. The worst part is, there is a chance that you will make it all the way to graduation without ever leaving your comfort zone. The saying “c’s get degrees” comes from a place of truth, after all.

    Is this what you want from your education? Not leaving your comfort zone is easy but it also means that you will never be in situation where you can learn. You will not be able to improve yourself personally and professionally.

    I personally do not want to get up early every day for class, stay up late doing homework after getting home from a long day of school or work, and pay a small fortune to leave with only a piece of paper with my name on it. A degree is merely a participation trophy if that is all you leave with.

    What does passivity look like?

    Passivity comes in all shapes and sizes. The English Dictionary defines passivity as “acceptance of what happens, without active response or resistance.” What does this look like as a student? If you are inactive in your learning and accept the knowledge and skills you had before enrolling in college, that will result in not only a long four years, but nothing to show for it. Passivity as a student can also come in the form of having to use a program or tool that you aren’t familiar with. You can’t be a successful college without learning new skills and using new tools.

    I have struggled with this form of passivity myself. In the IMC discipline we have the privilege of learning the design side of marketing and get to use tools such as Adobe Spark, Illustrator, Photoshop, and other design tools. Prior to my journey here at UNCW in the Communication Studies department, I had little experience with any design software. I played around in Paint in middle school during computer classes but did not bring anything else to the table. In my first IMC class I was very overwhelmed with the design assignments we had. I was not familiar with the programs, I was not confident in my design/creative skills, and worst of all, I accepted all of this.

    (Photo from Order of Man)

    This resulted in me doing poorly on every design assignment. Aside from finishing with a bad grade, I had wasted my time, my professor’s time, and an opportunity to gain an important new skill – a skill that would make me much more marketable as a candidate for any job in the IMC world. Passivity is a cushion or an enabler for laziness. I feared using programs I was unfamiliar with. I could have used the resources provided by my instructor to learn the design process and how to use design tools. I instead used my fear of the unknown as an excuse to not do well in the class. When the semester was over, I felt unaccomplished and unsure of my abilities.

    Passivity can come in the form of no one taking the initiative in a group project and everyone waiting until the last minute only to turn in a mediocre project. It may look like you accepting that you do not completely understand what an assignment entails. You do not ask for help or clarification and procrastinate until you are forced to complete an assignment that you can not perform to your full potential on. How can you avoid passivity? How can you find the confidence to be the best you?

    How to “pass” on passivity

    If we look back at the definition of passivity, I mention in the beginning we can formulate a strategy to avoid it. We must not accept our shortcomings. Do not accept that you don’t have the skills necessary to do well on an assignment. No professor expects you to be an expert at anything you are doing. In every IMC class I have taken here at UNCW, the professors have supplied an extensive amount of content on any tools that you may use in the class. This content along with the free training opportunities sent to your email can turn anyone into an excellent candidate for a career in the field of IMC.

    (Photo from memecrunch.com)

    The second half of the definition, “without active response or resistance” warns us to be proactive. This does not mean you have to complete each assignment the day they become active. But at least look at the prompt to see if you understand what you are doing and are competent in the tools necessary to complete the assignment. If you do not understand an assignment, ask your teacher for clarification.

    They will gladly welcome you during their office hours and provide you with the guidance needed. If you are competent using a certain program or tool needed to complete an assignment, look on Canvas to see the content your professor has supplied to explain how to use these tools. You can always take it a step further if you need extra help and search on YouTube for tutorials that will walk you through how to use any program you will come across as a student. You can also ask your professor for one-on-one help during their office hours. They are a great resource for any tool you will use in their class as they only expect you to use tools they are familiar with. There are many resources available to you as a student that will polish you into a candidate that any potential employer will want. It is up to you to be active and take advantage of these resources and opportunities. The only way to improve is to step outside of your comfort zone.