- How does your understanding of communication impact your understanding of God?
One thing that has stuck with me through the years in regarding communication and God is how God spoke the earth into being. I could have just thought it, or snapped his fingers or anything else. But instead he spoke it. Not only does the Father speak, God believes words are so important He uses John to describe His Son, Jesus Christ, as “The Word” (John 1:1). Jesus is later told by Peter that He alone “has the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). Jesus is the Word, and He is the only one who has the words for us to live by.
2. Describe something you’ve done that you are really proud of. What did you learn about yourself?
Interestingly enough one of biggest accomplishments I have achieved occurred throughout my two-week quarantine when I got back from Italy in March at the start of the pandemic. During these two weeks I completed 22 paintings that I then sent to them to the 22 individuals I went to Orvieto, Italy with. It was very challenging but also thrilling how inspired I was during this time. Out of the 22 paintings 17 of them are my best work and although, it is not exactly in regard to the Communication Arts department it is something I am very proud about. What I learned from this time is that when I am very passionate and committed to something, I can achieve anything I set my mind to.
3. Describe a time in your life when you failed at something. What did you learn about yourself?
During high school I was in cross country and in a race, I not only did not pass my personal record, but I also lost against three other people that I had made it my goal to finish ahead of. In the next couple days, I was so discouraged I actually pushed myself too hard, to the point that it was actually against my coaches wishes and ended up fracturing my pelvis due to my gait. I believe this is where I failed, not where I lost against others and myself but instead not listening to my coaches and pushing myself past what I was capable of. I was out of the season and on crutches for four months.
4. What are some of the strengths of the Comm. Arts department?
I think one of the strengths of Comm. Arts department is how all the classes are almost woven into one another. Each class, even though taught by different teachers and about different subject have similar themes and ideas that cross through each class. As I continued with all my classes it was nice to be learning new things, while at the same time it felt like a new chapter of the same book, a continuation.
5. What are some of the weaknesses of the Comm. Arts department?
I think lack of organization many of the Comm. Art professors have is a weakness of the Comm. Arts department. I feel as though I have had many new and inexperienced professors through the years and because of this I have constantly felt as a guineapig for them. I understand that each professor is doing their best, and I respect them for that. But at the same time, if I take a step back at all the Comm. Art classes I have taken, the professors blur into being unexperienced and chaotic. Which is understandable and everyone needs time to learn and grow even professors. But it feels unfortunate that throughout my time here this lack of stability and experience of many professors has been shown through almost every Comm. Art class I have taken at Gordon. Each class is a trial run for the next year to work out the kinks and that doesn’t feel great to look back and feel like my college experience has been a trial run for upcoming students.
6. What advice would you give to freshmen who are thinking of majoring in Communication Arts at Gordon?
I would say make sure you have a clear mindset going into this major that you will receive a broad and wide range of experiences and skills. That there are many classes available but if you are certain about one field–for example film, or public relations– you will learn about them in a class or two, but you will also learn many other skills. Some of which you may not be interested in, just know although it is a broad major with many topics, but it is also a limited major for those same specific topics. I think the best course of action is honestly not knowing exactly what you want to do within the Comm. Art major and learn as you go. If you check out the classes that are available and are interested in taking most of them then the major will be right for you. Main thing going into this major is have an open mind and accept you will take courses you’re not fully interested in and that’s okay.
7. If had to do it all over again, would you choose the Comm. Arts major? Would you choose Gordon College? Why or why not?
I am honestly not sure. I was undecided freshman year and I decided upon Comm. Arts because it was broad enough that I could choose a major while also not knowing exactly what I wanted to do. And ultimately, I did just that, and I am glad I will have a bachelor’s in communications arts for it was a good major with many good skills to have. Unfortunately, this year I have become solidified in my plans that I want to do graphic design after college. Because of this I have a minor in Art, however I wish I also have a double major in Art for that Is what I really want to do and use after college. So I think ultimately, if I were to do college over again I would keep my Comm. Arts major, for I really did learn a lot from it. But also have a double major in Art, specifically graphic design.
8. What are your plans following graduation?
My plans following graduation is work in an agency where I am a graphic designer working on flyers, and logos, and social media marketing. I want to mix together graphic design with my communications major, this is something I’m really passionate about and I hope that whatever I end up doing somehow is combined with all the skills and tools I learned from this major. I am also interested in possibly working for an event planner and create their graphics.
9. What do you hope to be doing five years from now?
Five years from now I hope to be settled somewhere, whether that is in Massachusetts specifically North shore, or maybe in North Carolina where my sister lives. Regardless, I hope to be settled into a job that I like, in an agency doing graphic design of some sort. Whether that job is one I will stick with or if it is one that is a jumping point for another job I am not sure. 26 years old is still very young and if I am not in a job that I am totally in love with that is okay and I will find something else.
10. In what ways do you think the Comm. Arts department has prepared you for life after Gordon?
I think there are many ways the Comm. Arts department has prepared me for life after Gordon, however I think the main way is to be open to new things. I have talked with many people that are graphic designers and they say that the biggest issue they find with new designers is their one-track mind that this is what they want to do and most of the time it wont be. I think Comm. Arts department has prepared me to be willing to do many things, to look at other options see what else interests me. To be not afraid to step out of my comfort zone of what I think I am good at and be willing to try things I might not otherwise have tried. Like journalism, definitely wouldn’t have tried that otherwise and have been willing to if Gordon hadn’t provided it as an option.
