Class Notes: Top Ten Pursuits

As a communications student, the secret to success is a little more complicated than always going to class and making good grades. Graduates with degrees are a dime a dozen, take the time now and get ahead of the competition.

As a student, one of my missions is to pursue things I am passionate about by getting involved in activities that will help me succeed when I graduate. The biggest roadblock is usually overcoming that fear of trying something new, but I’ve never been disappointed by the results of pushing my self out side of the box. The more I put my self out there, the more I try new things, the more I find my confidence growing, the less I fear exploring ideas and activities.

My Top Ten Pursuits of Success as a Communications Student

1. Learn Technology: It may seem silly, but the truth is the digital world is changing fast. Don’t be on the wrong side of the divide! Stay up-to-date on the latest leading innovations making a name today.
2. Get Active in Social Media: Social media is more than a trending topic, it’s become a powerful media and communications platform. Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn are just the beginning. It is increasingly important to have a presence in these spaces.
3. Attend seminars, conferences and networking sessions: Career and job fairs on campus, educational conferences, local seminars, and networking events are great places to start meeting people.  Just because you’re a student doesn’t mean you can’t start developing professional associations. Use your student status to start conversation. Not only are these great places to network, they are great places to learn. Develop a working knowledge of everything new and exciting in your field of study by attending events.
4. Network! Need I say more? Relationships are invaluable, as the old cliche goes, it’s not what you know, it’s who your know.
5. Publish Work in Professional Publications: As a student, now is the best time to start building your portfolio and resume. Look into local publications, talk to your professors, email your campus paper; what do you have to lose? Having your work and name professionally published shows future employers your tenacity for success.
6. Get to Know Your Professors and Peers: You would be surprised how rewarding it can be to get to know those around you. Professors are full of knowledge, advice, and sometimes even connections. They are eager to share with their passionate students….
7. Have an Internship…Have Many Internships: The result of real world experience is priceless. Yes, you might be working for free, but think of it as an investment. Internships provide students with experience.
8. Regularly Follow News Outlets: You’re a communications student! Tune into the local AM station for a change, subscribe to newspapers, follow your local media outlets on Twitter. Understanding how others communicate is just as important as being able to communicate yourself. Not to mention, current events make great small talk at networking events.
9. Get Involved in Student Organizations and Campus Media: College and Universities offer students amazing opportunities and exciting networks too often overlooked. Student organizations and campus media are the perfect places to start your career and to meet people just as passionate about the things you care about.
10. Join the Association for Women in Communications: The Association for Women in Communications is one of the strongest networks of passionate women in the Austin area and we have one of the most powerful chapters in the nation. Join and become part of the comrade and the powerful network of women who want to help and promote your success!

As a student, I’ve come to realize there is nothing but opportunity in front of me. Now is the time to get involved, now is the time to gain experience, discover new things, experiment and explore the world of possibilities.

Photo uploaded to Flickr Creative Commons.