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It feels strange to be writing a “farewell” post to students and to the department. Graduating is a strange experience. On one hand, I am ready to be done with classes and have a full-time professional job in my field. But on the other, it feels scary to be leaving UNCW and the Communication Studies Department for the “real world.” In a way, college has been my safety net, catching me when I fall or can’t keep up. And now, it is time to leave the nest and fly on my own (sorry, had to include a cheesy Seahawk pun in here somewhere). As I have been preparing to graduate and apply to jobs, I have realized there were a few things I wish I had done or I was grateful for, that would have or has better prepared me for the jobs I want after college. I want to share those realizations with my fellow Seahawks to (hopefully) benefit you and help you be prepared for your future too. It can be really easy to get comfortable in college and think of it as your safety net; nothing bad can happen to you here. But if you don’t do some work before you leave UNCW, adulting will be a rude awakening.

First, I encourage you to actively self-educate. If you have an interest in a particular skill or area of study, but either can’t take a course or it isn’t specifically within your major, then seek out resources and learn about it yourself. Don’t wait for the information to be handed to you or expect that it will come up in a class. If you want to learn how to use Photoshop, but don’t have room for a graphic design class, watch tutorials. Teach yourself. MAKE time for self-learning because you will probably regret not having done so when your dream job requires an understanding of Photoshop. A message from your future self: take the certification class. Watch the YouTube videos. Learn that thing that is really interesting but really daunting. You may not “feel” like it but you’ll be glad you did it.

Second, look at job postings in areas of interest BEFORE enrolling in the Capstone course (when you will be required to do it). Understanding what companies in your desired field are looking for in candidates will inform your choices, while you are still in school, and put you ahead of the game. For example, you may not have realized that your dream job may require knowing how to write computer code. In digital communication, that is not uncommon. Knowing this before your final semester will allow you to take an introductory course in computer programming and practice the skills independently. Even if you aren’t sure what your dream job is yet, still look at a variety of job postings in your areas of study. Doing so can help you narrow down your choices or help you choose a variety of courses for maximum flexibility when pursuing the post-graduation opportunities. Getting an idea of the necessary skills and experience companies want from prospective employees, and then learning about those things, is an investment in your future.

Third, listen to and respect your professors. They have your best interest in mind and will help you. When you have an assignment that seems pointless, try to look at the bigger picture and envision how the assignment might help you down the road. I remember an assignment where I had to learn how to use a project planning website called Monday.com. I thought it was confusing to use and I didn’t see any benefit. How did learning a new software platform relate to IMC? Fast forward to my internship – guess what they use for project planning? None other than Monday.com. When I told them I already knew how to use the website, they were very impressed, and being able to use the platform meant I could focus on doing the creative work. Put your best effort into your assignments, even when you don’t understand the value or purpose of it, because those assignments are preparing you for future job applications. And save everything. You will need your assignments for the Capstone course, but they are also evidence of what you can do. You’ll be thanking your professors later, trust me.

Ultimately, you get out of college what you put in. Make the most of it by doing everything you can to set yourself up for success. You will be more prepared for your future dream job and career. Take it from someone who just finished and is now applying for jobs: don’t waste this time. Do all you can to set yourself up for a successful future.

Woman tasting coffee (top): Photo by Artem Beliaikin on Unsplash

Recapping my college experience, as a graduating senior, feels so surreal. Has it really been four years already? I started my college career at East Carolina University. After a year, I slowly started to realize that ECU wasn’t the perfect school for me. When I decided to try a new school, I toured UNCW and immediately fell in love and realized it was where I was supposed to be. I fell in love with the campus, the city, and most importantly, the community. When I began my journey here at UNCW, I had no idea what was in store for me. I started with few friends, a lack of self-awareness, and an undecided major. As I wrap up my last year, I am leaving with a full support system, new passions, great experiences, lifelong memories, and a degree in Communication Studies.

Get Involved

College is what you make of it and doesn’t have to be strictly for an education. College gives you the opportunity to meet new people, get involved, and discover who you are as a person. As a communication studies major, I know how encouraging a strong community can be. I am surrounded by incredible professors and peers that truly want each and every student to succeed. Don’t spend your college years in fear of stepping out of your comfort zone because you will learn more about yourself each time you do. If there is a club that seems interesting to you, join it! If the person that sits next to you in class wants to meet for coffee, get a coffee! If your professor offers a study session during their office hours, go study! College will be over before you know it, so always try to make the best of it.

Switching Your Major

There is an immense amount of stress that comes along with picking your major, but there shouldn’t be. You may choose something and discover that it’s not meant for you. When I was a freshman, I was majoring in psychology because I thought I wanted to be a guidance counselor. I thought I had my entire future planned out and I assumed that I would love it. I quickly came to the realization that I was not passionate about psychology. I could not get myself interested and I felt that I was in too deep to change it. When I transferred here, all three of my roommates were Communication Studies majors. I decided to take a COM class with them, not knowing that I would end up loving it. I talked with my advisor, and I changed my major; I am so unbelievably thankful that I did. My advice to all incoming college students, is to understand that it is perfectly ok to change your major. It may take a year (or even two) to find your passion. Do not let yourself get stuck in a major that you do not enjoy because you are scared of change. The change will be worth it!

Roll with the Punches

College is one big giant leap into adulthood, and adulting is HARD! Earning a degree isn’t meant to be easy but the experience you gain and the memories you make along the way are completely worth it. During my first semester at UNCW, Wilmington was struck by Hurricane Florence and the damage to our campus was extensive. We were out of school for weeks and adjusting to new living situations while coping with the fact that our town experienced some major losses. It was hard, but it made the Wilmington community stronger than before. My last three semesters have been anything but normal. My junior year, news broke about a global pandemic and the dream of a never-ending spring break became a reality. However, it wasn’t as dreamy as it may sound. Here I am, continuing my final semester of college from my living room. Things became overwhelmingly difficult. I was laid off from my job and could no longer afford to live by myself, resulting in me moving back home. I felt defeated and experienced major FOMO while living my college years with my parents. I started putting things into a different perspective and came to the realization that I was not experiencing this alone. I looked forward to my daily class zoom meetings and the COM department made every student feel heard and appreciated during such trying times. My advice for all incoming Seahawks is to just do the best you can, try to keep a positive attitude, and know that sometimes, it is ok to not be ok.

As my time here at UNCW winds down, I think back to my first walk down Chancellors. I think about how much this community has shaped me into the person I am today. I look forward to my future and beginning my next chapter of life. My college experience was quite out of the ordinary, but I wouldn’t change any of it. Oh, the joy of being a Seahawk!

Written by Jessica Burgess. You can learn more about Jessica and our other blog writers by clicking the “Our Team” banner at the top!

If you are reading this…I graduated, and you will too! 

College oh college, when did you get here, when did you leave. I gaze across the memories of all I have accomplished and all I have been a part of… How do you know if you are making the right decisions? Why do I feel like I am leaving with more questions than answers?

I have been pondering what to say in this final expression for days, and to no avail, has it become any more clear. I desire to write how I feel, but I am not quite sure what that feeling is, or how it would be articulated.

I believe this feeling of confusion is a product of our time. The year 2020 has highlighted a streak of hatred and hostility that runs deep within our society. As well as an unprecedented fear of manipulation and deception.

I am beyond ecstatic to be graduating but I feel as though I am missing out on a great experience that so many others before me got to take part in. When I talk to my friends and roommates who are also graduating during the Spring and Fall of 2020 there seems to be a recurring theme of confusion.. It is hard to pinpoint but many seem to be let down by how the semesters and graduations have been concluded. For clarity that is not to say that we aren’t all thankful to graduate (we are), but I do think we all want to leave with some meaning and or final experience?

I believe I have had a hard time writing this piece because I want to be honest with my departing feelings, but I also do not want to disparage the accomplishment I have achieved for myself or with the institution. 

I continue by saying how thankful and appreciative I am for being given the opportunity to attend and graduate from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. As soon as I began applying to colleges I knew I wanted to attend this university. For me living at the beach sounded like a dream!

As soon as I arrived in Wilmington I fell in love with the city. The coastal lifestyle and culture is a far cry from the mountain culture of western North Carolina where I grew up. I found a fascination for the environment and the creatures that call the costal ecosystems home. When exploring new areas to live and work in I will always keep one eye on the coast! 

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Being a UNCW COM major has been a great experience – I have met many wonderful people through the discipline. Possessing strategic written and verbal communication skills is a powerful tool and can be utilized across multiple mediums. IMC helped direct my education towards a strategic position. Focusing in integrated marketing communication provided me the tools to become a competent member of any marketing team. Majoring in communication furnished me the tools to adapt and flourish in any professional environment. 

If I could pass any advice onto incoming freshman it would be, choose a major that will challenge you. Accepting a major because it sounds easy will ultimately lead you to more hardships and confusion because you are doing something that may not actually resonate with you and your future career goals. 

Choosing a challenging major teaches the fundamental skills of handiwork and time management. Two vital components of success. 

No matter what, you are going to be here for 4-5 years, you may as well spend it focusing on a major that will let you explore topics of great interest. And keep in mind that you will be doing it for 4-5 years so be excited about it. Burning out the interest you have in your major can be toxic for your mental health. Pursuing topics that challenge and interest you will ultimately leave you feeling fulfilled and satisfied. 

What is the point if it doesn’t teach you to desire accomplishment and work for it?

Something that is often overlooked is the quality of your education. What you put in is what you get out. Taking on student debt and then foregoing hard work leads to a lack of growth. What are you getting out of student debt if you fail to take advantage of all the opportunities the funds are paying for? Take advantage of all experiences the university offers; if it is free take it, if it is included take it. Make the most of your investment.

I have enjoyed my time here at the University of North Carolina Wilmington and will always cherish the relationships I developed while in attendance.

This has been one of the most challenging positions for me to write from. I looked at this topic for hours and wrote many different outlines before throwing them all together.. There is much more I would like to say, and I feel like needs to be said, but it is a tough undertaking when the sentiment varies.

Peace and love.

Sam

Written by Sam Childers. You can learn more about Sam and our other blog writers by clicking the “Our Team” banner at the top!

As I find myself writing this post I am flooded with the precious memories made over the last few years as a Seahawk. I think back to my first day coming on campus, scared and timid… navigating by myself and finding myself sitting in Cameron Hall filled with fellow peers waiting for Dr. Weber to come in and begin lecture. I remember the voices, the faces of so many of my peers who, little did I know years later I would grow to know so well and spend much more time with them. I think of all the hardships and the struggles we have all been through but despite everything that has stood in our way we have somehow managed to make it to the finish line. For some of us (mainly myself) we take an extra victory lap. Others finishing up early and gearing up for the next adventure. Is that not what it is all about?

While I have been so quick to think about what comes next, I now find myself reminiscing on the small things I took for granted and felt like I let pass me by. The many early morning lectures from Dr. O in COM 200 and the group work that was dreaded but eventually brought me to meet some of my now life-long friends. The COM Week panels we attended and the words from alumni we listened to perhaps only for the extra-credit. Maybe, for me, it is just the times that have me feeling even more nostalgic…longing for one last class lecture in Leutze Hall, longing to walk quickly down Chancellor’s to make it to class with a minute to spare…things and experiences I will never be able to get back and got cut too short without much notice.

If I could share one piece of advice to future students, future COM IMC students, to any student who might find themselves in the same position as me…I know we have all heard it before, trust me I lost count of hearing it myself after the ten-thousandth time, but it is this… stop for a moment often and take a minute to feel the things happening around you. Whether it is on an online Zoom meeting; or perhaps soon one day you will find yourself back on campus and there is hustle and bustle; or you are just simply driving to the library dreading to take a book back to drop off; feel those moments, have gratitude for being exactly where you are at that time. Do not let time pass you by. As Sarah McLachlan sang it best… “Don’t let your life pass you by, weep not for the memories.” Be weary of wishing away time, because all at once and before you know it your time has come to an end; or as the year 2020 has proven – everything you know can change all at once and change DRASTICALLY.

To my fellow Seahawks who are also graduating virtually with me in December, let us not forget how far we have come. Despite commencement being virtual, it cannot take away from all the hard work we have put into this and nothing should be able to take that feeling away from us. If no one else has told you, I am PROUD of you. We also must remember to be easy on ourselves. This is new territory for us, as soon to be graduates, and for every other person in the world right now. Nothing is certain and we can only do our best. Do not be too hard on yourself if the plans you had for yourself two years ago, or maybe less than a month ago have changed. I believe that life is defined half of by what happens to you and the other half how you choose to react to what happens.  I know for me personally the plans I had in mind for myself years ago are nowhere near what is to come in the next few months. My plans made a drastic change and to be utterly honest are still up in the air. Luckily, we are Seahawks and our wings will allow us to fly when things are up in the air. Wings up my friends, let us all remember this as we fly to our next adventure.

Written by Ashley Oliver. You can learn more about Ashley and our other blog writers by clicking the “Our Team” banner at the top!

When I first came to UNCW in the fall of 2017, I had no clue about what I wanted to study. I had floated through high school without much of any deep thought about what I wanted to do with my life, much less study at college. Like many people who turn to Communication Studies, I was no good at math or science. While I was better at history and English, what we were learning never grabbed my interest at the time and I did not think I could make enough money using what I learned from those areas. I knew I liked movies, so for lack of a better idea I spent my first semester studying film and a handful of other classes I thought would be interesting to me, like theatre and psychology.

I quickly learned that what I really liked was watching movies, not studying them. The semester after that, I dropped Film Studies and tried out other classes, one of them being COM 105. Communication Studies just seemed to click with me. I stumbled into the major without really giving it another thought. Neither the course itself or Communication Studies in general grabbed my interest but if this was what came naturally to me, why not stick with it for as long as possible?

This lax decision sent me down the path to finding lifelong friends, influential professors, and gaining a practical skillset that I can use both in my career and outside of it. My advice to current COM students would be to get involved in as much as possible. You’ll learn a lot in the major but it will never stick with you if you don’t apply what you learn outside of the classroom, and your classes can only teach you so much. My freshman year I joined the Association for Campus Entertainment, also known as ACE, which gave me the opportunity to apply concepts from the classroom in a variety of leadership positions and really dial in on how important what I was learning was and what it meant to be a student leader. ACE springboarded me into further opportunities that are too many to count and all of them crucial to my development. By taking every opportunity that comes your way, you will ensure that none of what you learn is wasted. All of it is valuable, even if you do not use it straight away.

Most of all though, learn to just roll with the punches. While I wouldn’t recommend enduring three hurricanes and a pandemic as part of your college experience, it definitely helped me put things in perspective. There’s no telling what challenges you might face in the future, and worrying about them before they even arrive will only paralyze you with fear. When you face adversity in the future, whatever form it might take, remember that your major and your experiences arm you with the tools you need to overcome it.

Written by Ryan Moody. You can learn more about Ryan and our other blog writers by clicking the “Our Team” banner at the top!

Introduction to UNCW

Coming into UNCW as a transfer sophomore year was tough. This was definitely a nerve racking experience due to the fact I had no close friends that attended UNCW, and I was living with random roommates. However, coming to UNCW was definitely one of the best decisions I have ever made. There are so many opportunities at UNCW, and it is so important to find the right fit for you.

Finding the right fit for myself was definitely a struggle at first. Growing up I always imagined myself as a sorority girl, because I love making new friends and have always had a big group of girlfriends. I quickly learned that the sorority life was not for me, and that was ok! I was not a fan of the structure and rules that go along with joining Greek life. The good news is UNCW offers so many clubs, and organizations for individuals to plug themselves into that I quickly joined another club called Delight. After joining a club that was a fit for me I thrived, and instantly made lifelong friendships.

The take away from this is to follow the path made for you and don’t settle. Although all my friends at other schools were sorority girls I learned that it’s ok to branch out and be different. I have met so many cool people through organizations I had no idea about before attending UNCW.

Finding the right major

Growing up I have always thought of myself as a teacher, because I have a passion for working with kids. I planned on graduation as an elementary education major. It’s funny how plans change in college. I am currently set to graduate in December as a Communication Studies major.

After taking several education classes I learned that career path was not for me. I had never considered another major, and had no idea what direction to go in. I knew communication was always an option, but I thought of myself as an excellent communicator already due to my confidence and outgoing personality. Oh was I wrong.

After taking a few communication classes I learned that I was nowhere near close to being an effective communicator. By majoring in Communication Studies, not only did I learn how to effectively convey messages, but I also gained confidence in addressing a large group of people. Communication was definitely the major for me, and has prepared me for any potential job with a versatile set of skills. I can definitely give credit to this major and all of UNCW’s COM professors for opening so many doors for me in the business world.

Taking on Corona Changes

My time at UNCW has taught me to be patient and accept change. There are some things in this world that you cannot control however, you can control how you handle situations. Corona is a great example. Having my last semester moved online was disappointing news and definitely hard. However, this change helped me grow as a person.

One of my weaknesses is that I am a procrastinator. Taking all online classes has definitely helped me in dealing with this trait. Organizing my workload, and setting a schedule was fundamental to completing my work and passing this semester. I am currently a fifth year and have been dead set on graduating in December so I knew how important it was to pass all my classes this semester.

Online classes have also turned me into a self-motivator. This is a great quality to have, and many jobs are looking for an individual with this trait. By not meeting for classes I wasn’t getting the one-on-one interaction I usually receive during in-person classes. I learned how to be the “professor” to myself, and stay on top of things while motivating myself to show up and show out in my assignments.

Although there were many road bumps this semester due to COVID it is important to embrace these challenges, and make the best out of the situation while growing. 

Advice to you

College is not going to be easy and there will be speed bumps along the way, but it is so important to stay optimistic. Staying optimistic is my biggest advice to you. Take every set of challenges you are faced with as an opportunity to learn and grow as an individual.

Also get involved!! This is so so important, and one of my biggest regrets is not getting more involved.  There are so many opportunities to get involved at UNCW – so take advantage of them. I didn’t get involved until later junior year, and after getting involved, I finally feel like I am getting the most out of my college experience. After getting involved I also found my happiness that I didn’t know I was missing, and created lifelong friendships that I wish I had created early in my college career.

College is difficult, but well worth it. Looking back at my time at UNCW, I am so proud and surprised at how much I have grown as a person. UNCW will definitely change your life in the most positive impactful ways.

Written by Bonny Harris. You can learn more about Bonny and our other blog writers by clicking the “Our Team” banner at the top!

When I transferred to UNCW in the fall of 2018 I had thought I had already experienced my share of natural disasters. I spent my freshman year in the mountains dealing with wildfires, then ice and snowstorms, before I decided to take a year off and work in Florida. Hurricane Irma was the first time I had to deal with a hurricane without my parents telling me what needed to be done, and soon after I watched the devastation that Hurricane Maria had on my friends from Puerto Rico and their families. In a truly inspired move, I transferred to UNCW thinking that hurricanes wouldn’t be a huge issue.

Hurricane Florence was a bizarre experience. I grew up in North Carolina and for the most part, none of us were that concerned about it. It wasn’t a particularly strong hurricane, so I went to my mom’s house in Hampstead. Florence made landfall directly across the Intercoastal Waterway from the house and spent days ravaging the North Carolina coast. It went from an ordinary hurricane to a devastating storm. My family was really lucky. Our house is set back from the water and halfway up a decent hill, so storm surge tore off part of our dock but never reached the house. We had wind and water damage, but nothing that would force us out of the house. We cleaned up after the hurricane and were prepared to move on. Roads were still closed and many in the area had completely washed away so we were still figuring out the full impact of what had happened. My big worry was when I would be able to go back to school.

Once power and internet was restored we were able to see how devastating Hurricane Florence had been. I grew up going to Surf City every weekend and the town released drone footage of the island because it was still nearly impossible to reach by car. The sand in the streets was covering road signs and our favorite restaurant would have to be completely gutted because the damage was so severe. In Hampstead and Wilmington roads had been washed away leaving people stranded. People all over the state rallied around coastal communities, many of which are still feeling the effects of Hurricane Florence. A sophomore at my high school organized truckloads of donations to be brought to Wilmington. UNCW students organized a group to help rebuild homes and distribute donations. People are resilient. We rallied and rebuilt the best we could.

Hurricane Dorian the next fall was nowhere near as devastating. We missed a week of school at most and thought that would be our big event for the school year. Then over an extended spring break, we found out that we would need to empty our dorms and return home for the remainder of the semester. In early March none of us knew how bad Covid-19 would be, and it had barely been on the news. In the span of two weeks, it went from a footnote to the main subject. Over 250,000 Americans have died since then, and it doesn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon. Collectively, we need to work to overcome this the same way we work to get supplies and aid to victims of hurricanes and wildfires.

Covid-19 is inherently different from other disasters most people alive today have experienced. While we know what to do after fires and hurricanes, none of us have experienced a health crisis on this level. H1N1 and Ebola were in the news, but it wasn’t something that was devastating across the globe. It is harder for us to understand, and because it is a new virus there isn’t a medical best practice yet. Because of the early lack of information publicly available, the novel Coronavirus became a political tool in an election year. Alarmingly, political rhetoric around Covid-19 seems to be the most dividing factor on how it is handled. In historically conservative states people that are elected to serve and protect their constituents are continuing to represent this crisis as a matter of personal freedoms or refuse to publicly recommend that constituents follow CDC guidelines. People adapt well to overcome crises that they understand, but the uncertain nature of this pandemic seems to have left some people unable to adapt.

The American people as a whole are remarkably resilient and adapt to overcome seemingly any crisis. After the wildfires in 2016, my friends and I watched as towns were rebuilt after entirely burning down. Gatlinburg was destroyed just a week or two after we took a weekend trip, and today it looks almost the same as it did when we visited. In 2017, people all over Florida worked together to organize aid and supplies for the victims of Hurricane Maria. Hurricane Florence brought waves of support from people all over North Carolina. Time and time again we have seen people rally around those in need. Once the rhetoric surrounding Covid-19 becomes less divisive and there is a greater understanding of the virus, history suggests that once again people will adapt and overcome.

Written by Savannah Gibson. You can learn more about Savannah and our other blog writers by clicking the “Our Team” banner at the top!