IMC Hawks Blog

Tag: Pier601 Creative

  • 4.5 hours: Home, 4.5 years: Graduation

    The past 4 1/2 years have been an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything. I’m glad it all worked out though, considering I never even visited UNCW before orientation. Almost everyone from my high school goes to Appalachian State University, so I wanted a different experience. UNCW provided that and more. I got the full experience from living in Galloway to getting hit by people on bikes and long boards, Beach Blast to the beach bars, and most importantly Islands. Oh yeah, I got a pretty good education too!

    camp024.jpg

    Before moving to Wilmington, I knew someone who previously went through the Communication Studies program and she recommended the major to me. After looking into it, and honestly not knowing specifically what I wanted to do, I thought that Communication Studies would provide me with the best all-around knowledge to be successful. Once I got through COM 105 and 200, I was finally able to decide that I wanted to concentrate on advertising. I did a few sales internships the past two summers selling ad space. They provided me with some good experience putting my communication skills to work. I’m thankful to have taken so many classes with Dr. Persuit, because I feel that she really prepares her students for what we are going to do. I’m lucky to have been a part of Pier601 Creative with Dr. Persuit and Dr. Bolduc this semester. Since I had experience working with clients selling them advertising, I wanted to get experience on the back end of the transaction by helping them create content.

    wrightsville-beach.jpg
    I have met some great people and enjoyed my time at UNCW, but I can’t wait to graduate and see what is next. I plan to get a job in either Hickory or Charlotte and apply what I have learned. Thanks to everyone who has made my experience one to remember! Go Seahawks!

    – Nick Bolick

  • It’s Not Over Yet!

    It’s that time of year. COM seniors are finishing up final papers, projects, and preparing for presentations. The COM 400 portfolio is finally finished, and everyone’s talking about job interviews, families coming into town, and how they need to get out of their apartment the day after graduation.

    But wait a second… I’m not done yet. I’m a July graduate. And I’m totally cool with it! 

    I’m definitely not a fan of the notion that you have to finish school in four years. I’m finishing up my fifth year of college; the first three at my community college back home and the latter two here at UNCW. It doesn’t feel like five years—I wish I could stay longer! The reason why I don’t mind finishing a little later than most is because I want to ensure my college experience is the best it can possibly be.

    My interest and career aspirations in media/video production are what brought me to take courses in advertising. I’ve always liked advertising. I love TV ads, and I’d love to make them for a living someday soon. Learning about advertising was the perfect complement to video production. This semester, my interest in the two fields opened me up to the rewarding experience of establishing Pier601 Creative, UNCW’s first student-run IMC firm. Be on the lookout for more exciting things to come from Pier601! If you plan to take Field Video Production courses with Dr. Bolduc, I would highly recommend signing up for IMC 1 or Advertising courses with Dr. Persuit as well. The skills you learn about advertising will greatly help you in communicating with video clients about their projects.

    It’s so exciting seeing friends I’ve made in my time in the COM department prepare for graduation. I’ve met so many people in my two years here at UNCW, in both my media production and advertising classes. I’ve not only been pushed harder than I ever have before, but have been encouraged and motivated by my peers. I’ve seen them do some awesome work. One of my classmates and best friends won a car thanks to her work—how cool is that?

    Whether you’re pre-COM, COM, or not, my charge to you is to take on those opportunities presented to you. Keep telling yourself it’ll be worth it… even if you graduate a little later than you thought.

    Nathan Evers

  • “All your life, you were only waiting for this moment to arise.”

    For four years the class of 2014 have waited to reach this moment and in exactly 12 days we will have made it as undergraduates. Some of you will have noticed the title is a lyric from The Beatles’ song “Blackbird”. No, we seniors probably won’t be fighting the important battles that this song alludes to, but we will be facing challenges— the challenges of finding jobs, a new life, and even ourselves.

    Yes, the four-year “beach party” is coming to an end and although I don’t have anything planned I feel confident in my next steps. I attribute this confidence to the UNCW Communication Studies Department. Not only have I found my passion in this major, but also I have gained life skills and knowledge. So instead of reminiscing on my wonderful four-year “beach party” (as some would call it), I want to give some major-related advice to those of you who are lucky enough to have another year here.

    Things I did that you should do:

    Take as many upper level classes (300-400 levels) as you can.
    Seriously, do it! Forget about the “it is going to be tons of work” and just do it! Not only will you gain knowledge, but also you will gain experience. Some classes I personally got a lot out of were strategic writing (even though it is a 200 level), the ad classes, PR II, and IMC II. The work I completed in these classes pushed me to assess problems and find solutions in ways I didn’t know I could. Not only did I walk away with portfolio artifacts, but I felt what I had done really helped the clients I worked with.

    Find a mentor.
    I applied to be a part of Project Protégé this year. (A program associated with CSS.) It was one of the best things I could have done. Even though it was only a couple of months long, I had a wonderful mentor who I could ask advice from and talk about the industry with. My only regret is I wish I had done it earlier.

    Take classes outside of your immediate focus.
    My focus is IMC, PR and advertising. Since I have known that was my interest from day one I took many of those classes, but this past fall I took decided to take Dr. Weber’s WWII Rhetoric: American Identity course. It was one of the most enjoyable and interesting classes I have taken at UNCW. Therefore, I recommend taking a couple of classes outside of your focus; it really helps broaden your horizons.

    Be Curious.
    After taking a media and integrated marketing communication class, I started becoming curious about these subjects. So whenever a professor would mention something in class that I thought was interesting I would write it down and Google it later. Through this I found Mashable, my go to tech news website, and Girl Talk the best mashup artist ever! Yes, I sound like a nerd, but the knowledge you gain from being curious helps you in ways you couldn’t imagine.

    In addition to this list I must thank a couple of people, first my parents (for reasons obvious to all graduates). Second the organizations that gave me the opportunity to contribute to their team as an intern, the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival and UNCW Alumni Relations. My experience with them was enjoyable and the skills I learned invaluable. And the last mention is to my Pier601 Creative co-founders, for making my last semester at UNC Wonderful even more wonderful. It has been a pleasure getting to know and work with such a creative, talented and personable bunch. Thank you Dr. Persuit for giving me the opportunity to participate in this group DIS. The experience, knowledge, and guidance you have given me throughout the many classes I have taken can’t be returned in my gratitude. So thank you!

    IMG_0604

    To all future IMCHawk bloggers, take this blog as a challenge, not a chore. Put your heart into it: be curious, be passionate, and be critical about the content you write. This blog becomes your moment, so fly.
    –Caroline Robinson