How I Chose My Majors: Communications & Journalism with a Concentration in Public Relations

Content

As I near the end of my college experience at UMass Amherst, I want to reflect on the path that brought me to the majors and minor I hold today. I am a senior majoring in communication and journalism with a concentration in public relations, as well as minoring in business.

Of course, as many others can likely relate to, this isn't where I’d expected to be when I first came to UMass. Since I was unsure of what I wanted to study, I was able to structure a course schedule by working with my academic advisors that allowed me to explore courses in a diverse range of subject areas until I knew I was on the right path.

Curriculum Path

My first-year, I joined a Residential Academic Program (RAP) for the communication major, where I was able to meet other students in my program. Starting college in fall 2020 during the height of the pandemic, I didn’t have the chance to explore other student organizations within the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, so the RAP was a great way for me to get involved with my major right way — even with classes being on Zoom.

Once arriving on campus, I focused on general education courses and  began taking businesses courses in order to apply to Isenberg’s marketing major while continuing my degree in communication. 

During my sophomore year, I took a great interest in the course JOURNAL 235: Introduction of Public Relations taught by Professor Jennie Donohue, which fulfilled a requirement for both communication and journalism majors. 

After just one week of the course, I had discovered that public relations was the career field I had been searching for. 

Unlike some of the lecture courses I had taken, Professor Donohue taught in a way that allowed me to interact with her, and with my fellow students. 

We had opportunities to practice what we learned through debates and discussions in class, as well as in smaller groups and collaborations. I realized that I learn best by doing things and applying what I had covered in the course. 

Not only was I intrigued by the engaging curriculum, but also I started to gain access to the industry that the public relations concentration opens for students. Professor Donohue invited interested students to attend a Public Relations (PR) Club meeting where she is the faculty advisor. Despite not knowing anybody else in the club, nor much about the subject area, I decided to try it out.

Starting from the first meeting I attended, being in the PR Club made me feel that I had finally found my place in the UMass community. 

Led by a team of older students, the club was a great place for younger students like myself to feel comfortable asking questions, making connections and networking with a team of other aspiring professionals in my field of interest. 

Shortly after joining the club, I made an advising appointment for guidance. Journalism advisor John Ciampa helped me figure out how to use the course credits I had already completed while adding public relations into my curriculum. Since some courses fulfill credits for both the communication and journalism programs, I was able to add the new major of journalism with a concentration in public relations to my communication major. Additionally, I was able to put the business courses I had already taken towards a business minor from the Isenberg School of Management.

Student Club Involvement

Since adding my new major and minor during the spring of my sophomore year, I’ve felt confident in the curriculum and career path I’m pursuing, which has given me more time to focus on involvement and leadership on campus. At the end of my sophomore year, I joined the executive board of the PR Club, where I stand today as vice president. 

Since joining the E-board, we have worked together to turn our club into a Registered Student Organization, as well as a National Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). What was previously known as the PR Club is known today as the UMass Amherst Chapter of PRSSA.

Leadership Roles

When I first applied for the executive board, I had no idea how much that decision would impact the rest of my college career, or even that I would get the position. Once elected as historian, I became very involved in my role. Not only did this position connect me with an internship that prepared me for the roles I hold at  Commonwealth Honors College today, but it also gave me valuable PR experience through planning and hosting my own meetings and events — as well as engaging and leading other members. 

After serving as historian, I moved on to the role of UMass Amherst PRSSA treasurer. In this role, I learned about financial PR by managing finances as the club’s first treasurer after becoming a registered student organization. I also gained experience facilitating internal communication and forming relationships with stakeholders.

At the end of my junior year, I was elected as vice president of UMass Amherst PRSSA, and being part of such a strong team of like-minded and motivated students has played a large role in my development as a young professional. Throughout my experience in different leadership positions in the club, I’ve had the chance to develop a diverse set of industry-relevant skills that I’ve been able to apply to my studies as well as my internship and job positions.

I could not be more excited for the future of our organization. Joining this student group has helped me decide on my major and minor, while also fostering my personal growth as an aspiring PR professional. 

My biggest advice for any prospective or current UMass Amherst students who aren’t sure what they want to study is to utilize the resources here on campus! From joining a RAP, to getting involved with student groups, and even talking to an advisor, there’s a way for everyone to find an area of study that they’re passionate about.