Winston-Salem State University has been a time of personal development, exploration, and introspection for me. I've been exposed to writing, journalism, digital media, communication, and other topics as a Mass Communication student, which has pushed me to improve as a communicator and become a more reflective creative. Even if things haven't always gone as planned, the experience has improved my understanding of my abilities and my post-college goals.

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At the same time, my experience as a Mass Communication major has caused me to think more seriously about what I actually want from my career. When I entered the program, I saw Mass Communication as a way to combine my interest in writing with my creative interests. Over time, however, I realized that I do not necessarily want my entire career to revolve around traditional journalism or a conventional workplace. My larger goal is to become a comic book writer and illustrator. I want to create stories that combine writing and visual art while exploring subjects such as identity, self-acceptance, relationships, society, and personal growth. Recognizing this goal has helped me understand that my Mass Communication degree does not have to define my entire career. Instead, I can use the skills I have developed through the program as tools that support the career I ultimately want.

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I have spent years improving my skills in graphic design and 2D character design, but college has encouraged me to think about those skills beyond simply creating artwork. I have become more interested in how characters communicate ideas, how visual design affects an audience, and how writing and artwork can work together to tell a story. This has strengthened my desire to pursue work involving illustration, character design, comics, and other forms of visual storytelling. Through my work as a student journalist for The Winston Wire, under Dr. Robinson I have learned how to take an idea, research it, speak with people, and turn the information I gather into a story that others can understand. These experiences have helped me become more confident in expressing ideas and communicating with different audiences.

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Looking back, I would not describe my college experience as a straight path toward one predetermined career. Rather, it has been a journey of discovering my values, my strengths, and the kind of future I want to build for myself. I'm still figuring out exactly what my career will entail as I get closer to graduating. But I now know exactly where I want to go. I want to expand my portfolio, keep growing as a writer and artist, and eventually write original stories. Although I haven't found all the answers during my time at Winston-Salem State University, I have gained the experiences, knowledge, and self-awareness necessary to keep looking. Ultimately, I believe that is one of the most valuable things I could have gained from my college experience.