ASSCA | Member Profiles

Kati Fugit

Senior

Advertising

klfugit@crimson.ua.edu

I chose advertising because I wanted to be in a field that is creative. Growing up, I have always enjoyed painting and scrapbooking and anything else that allowed me to express myself creatively. Also, when I was a senior in high school I was the chief editor for the yearbook. During that experience, I got to create layouts, and I loved it. But when I came to the University of Alabama I was a secondary education social science major. When I was taking my history classes for it, I didn't enjoy it so I started to think about all the things I was interested in. I talked to a couple of my friends who were in C&IS, and they suggested that I look into advertising. Since then I haven't looked back.

My favorite class is MC 495, Effective Branding and Advance Imaging with Ms. Daria. The class is only offered during interim. I learned so much in this class. In particular, I learned so much about Adobe Illustrator. Also, we worked with a real client, which gave me a peek into the real world. However, a couple of classes have been hard for me. The first was MC 421 Political Communication and APR 260 Design Applications. But whenever I have questions, Ms. Daria and Dr. Kinney are there to answer them.

My career goal is to someday work for an art museum. With advertising, I can hopefully start in their advertising department and work towards being a curator. This way I am using both my major and my minor, which is art history.

Wesley Vaughn

Junior

Public Relations and Political Science

wvaughn1@crimson.ua.edu

Selecting public relations as my primary major was a result of two factors. One, while taking Mass Communications 101, I soon felt that the public relations field was the one for me. Previously, I knew I wanted to be in the communications realm, but not the specific field. Also, the University of Alabama's public relations program continues to garner high national rankings, and that confirmed my decision.

After college, I plan to work in politics with a focus in campaigns and press relations. A major in public relations made absolute sense and will help me prepare for the work I hope to do.

Jessica Carlton

Senior

Public Relations and Political Science

jecarlton@crimson.ua.edu

I came to UA intending on getting a major in communication studies. That changed, and it changed often. It became communication studies and political science. Then it was solely political science. Next, I thought I would change my major to journalism. I dabbled in TCF. Until finally, I settled on public relations and political science.

A long time ago, before I could pinpoint what I wanted my major to be or even what I wanted to do with my life, the one thing I knew was that I wanted to turn bad situations into good ones, solve problems, and ultimately make whatever institution I worked for better. To me, that description is what PR is all about. It just took me a few years to discover it.

Not only is our PR program exceptional, I have found that it has prepared me for the infamous "real world" more than any other major I thought about switching to. PR majors become well- versed in a wide range of Adobe programs, learn about media law, and learn how to create brochures, newsletters and the list goes on and on.

Yet, my favorite class in C&IS hasn't been a core requirement for public relations. It was an elective. Com 295: Political Communication and Modern Public Persuasion with Aaron Latham. This class is for anyone who loves politics and current events. It's a class, in my opinion, that gives you real-life tools that you'll need in PR.

Another experience that has served me tremendously here in C&IS is the Speech Team. You don't have to be a communication studies major to be on it. If you are interested in performance and public speaking, you should give it a shot. It's been the best thing that has happened to me.

My dream job would be to work for NASA in their communications department.

Feel free to email me with any questions!

Hannah Hooks

Sophomore

Communication Studies

Hkhooks1@crimson.ua.edu

I am a communication studies major at the University of Alabama. I chose this major because I like learning about human interaction. When I first came to the Capstone, my major was political science. But after taking a communication class, I quickly realized that the communication field suited my personality better.

The first class I took was Critical Decision Making (Com 122), and I absolutely loved the class. It was a mixture of speech and group work. Another class I enjoyed was Principles of Human Communication (Com101). Although this class was challenging, Dr. Carolyn Mills made the lectures really fun and relatable. Anyone interested in "how" and "why" people communicate should take Com 101.

In the future, I would like to attend law school and pursue a career in law. I am certain that my communications degree will more than prepare me for that path. Because there are so many areas to focus on within C&IS, career options for students are truly unlimited.

Katherine Martin

Junior

Journalism and Studio Art

klmartin317@gmail.com

At first I decided on a journalism major because I thought I would need another degree in addition to studio art, and I knew I could write a little. After taking my first mass communication class, taught by Dr. Roberts, I knew I would stick with it. He made MC 101 a class that I looked forward to by relating everything we learned back to something a college student would understand. Many of my professors in the journalism department have been a great help to me. They can be to you as well. All it takes is reaching out to contact them ( this can mean emailing them or stopping by there office or even calling them ) They have helped me decide on what classes I should take every semester, which has been a big help and have made the transition from year to year go very smoothly.

Samantha Susock

Sophomore

Broadcast Journalism and Political Science

sjsusock@crimson.ua.edu

My name is Samantha Susock, and I am a sophomore at the University of Alabama. I am double majoring in broadcast journalism and political science. I chose these majors because I have a strong passion for journalism and writing. I would love to play an influential role in today's media market because of the important role it plays in the lives of American citizens.

Last year, as a freshman at UA, I took 4 classes in C&IS. My very first class in C&IS was MC 101 with Dr. Roberts. He was a tough professor, but Dr. Roberts is really inspiring because he helps students decide which mass media market they would fit best in. He teaches the history behind books, magazines, newspapers, the Internet and television. His lectures involve the ins and outs of each media market. I would like to mention that Dr. Pam Tran is a very important person to meet in the college as well. In fact, she is one of the faculty members involved in ASSCA. If you have any questions she will be there to advise and answer anything

As for my future, I am not sure what exactly I want to pursue. All I know is that I want to work in the media market and ultimately would like to be in broadcast news. I want to be someone that can be trusted to deliver high-quality news that never strays from being accurate and current.

Taylor Holland

Senior

Media Production

tlholland@crimson.ua.edu

My name is Taylor. I’ve known for a while that I wanted to work in the Entertainment industry, preferably film.

I started out in the Business College as a marketing major with a minor in advertising, but I soon realized that business was not what I wanted to do with my life. I knew that I wanted to work with film or television companies even if it was with marketing, but I decided that the best way to make that happen was in the C&IS.

Truthfully, my “fun” classes are starting in the fall. They involve a lot of production work, but I would recommend TCF 201 because it is the starting point for anyone interested in Media Production.

Several of my business courses, such as statistics, have been difficult but manageable. I would say my hardest communications class was MC 421; a writing course that focused on political communications. It was a lot of work, but very beneficial in the end, and Dr. Cartee was a great professor.

I’ve enjoyed Dr. Williams, Nathan Dains, and Dr. Raimist especially. Dr. Raimist understands what my goals are, and I look forward to taking her classes this fall.

My career goals are not 100 percent yet, but I know that I want to work in the film and entertainment industry in the future. My classes and major at UA are preparing me to make the step into the “real world” so that I will be able to contribute with whatever it is I decide to do in life. I am currently interning at First Independent Pictures in Los Angeles, California, and I hope to move back out here after graduation if all goes well.

Jordan Hendricks

Senior

Telecommunications and Film: Media Production and History

jzhendricks@crimson.ua.edu

I chose to double major in telecommunications and film (media production track) and history because I enjoy communicating with others in a creative way. With media production, I am able to tell a story that I want others to hear. I haven't always had this major, though. The major I had before was history education. However, there came a point where I just did not see myself in the classroom for the rest of my life. I wanted to do something where I am able to travel and see the world. I still love history, but I do not have the passion to teach it anymore.

There are many professors and advisors that can be of great help to anyone who needs it. Some that were of particular help to me have been Glenda Williams (among numerous other things, she teaches classes in media writing), Brett Tannehill, who works in the Center for Public Television and Radio and Mary Katherine Alsip, who is a second year PhD student here in C&IS specializing in educational television.

As of right now my career goals are undefined. Telecommunications is such a broad field, and I hope my background in history will help. I would like to work for a television news production team or maybe even travel the world gathering information to share about other places that people aren't as familiar with.

Ashley Swafford

Sophomore

Telecommunication and Film

answafford@crimson.ua.edu

I chose to major in telecommunications with a strong focus in sports broadcasting. I chose sports broadcasting because it was something truly challenging and engaging. As I am sure you are aware, the sports broadcast field is dominated by males. Many even consider the sports reporting job placement of females to be a battle of the pretty faces. However, I want to revoke the old stereotype and make a change. I plan to work hard to prove that there are, in fact, many women who can coordinate outfits, walk in three inch heels, and know what M.N.F. stands for.

Broadcast news is a difficult major for someone without high aspirations and drive. However, with hard work and a strong repellent for the word no, becoming a successful sports broadcaster is achievable.