In the Division of Communication and Theatre at Indiana Wesleyan, students graduate from the program with more than a degree. After class projects, practicums and internships, they walk away with practical knowledge in their field.
In order to graduate, every student in the department must participate in practicum. Students can choose from radio, theatre, journalism, television or public relations practicum.
Hannah Valadez, a strategic communication student, said her experience in her public relations practicum confirmed her interest in event planning as a career.
“For my practicum, I worked with a bride and putting on her wedding. I want to be an event planner after I graduate,” Valadez said. “That practicum allowed me to get that experience. The following summer, I got an internship with a wedding coordinator. My practicum experience was so helpful.”
However, practicum wasn’t the only way that Valadez grew in her understanding of the communication industry.
Various classes in the division emphasize gaining real-life experience. Organizational communication, research methods, public relations writing and introduction to public relations are just a few of the classes that offer the opportunity to work with clients from local organizations.
Within multimedia communication, several classes are dedicated to exploring different medias. Kayla Ruchti, a multimedia communication major, said these courses changed the way she looked at her future career.
“Coming in, I thought I wanted to be a director or producer,” Ruchti said. “Now that I’ve gotten experience in television and radio, I’ve realized I can do so much more with this major than what I thought I could.”
Through her classes, Ruchti has been able to work for the radio station and television station.
“It’s been amazing being able to work for a real radio station. That in and of itself has been a lot of experience.” Ruchti said. “Also, we have a TV show, and we broadcast sports live on ESPN3.”
To work with the TV station, students don’t have to be multimedia majors. It’s open to any communication major. In fact, in order to graduate, students in the communication department are required to take a practicum that is outside of their major.
“They (IWU’s communication professors) are good about pushing you to try new areas and classes that you might not originally think you’re interested in,” said Heather Cox, a convergent journalism major.
Cox said that throughout her classes, she’s noticed an emphasis on building real-life, professional skills. Because of these courses, in both journalism and communication, she’s been able to grow as a journalist.
“I have taken classes which initially intimidated me, but through taking them I was able to gain a new media perspective and further develop my writing skills for various mediums,” Cox said.
However, gaining practical knowledge is not the only thing that the communication department emphasizes.
According to Eily Hite, a theatre major, she’s observed a special desire to pursue meaningful opportunities for students. Many of the clients who students work with are nonprofit organizations serving the community in some capacity.
“Voice for the Voiceless” is the communication department’s theme. From the first class students take to their senior seminar course, they’re asked to consider how they can communicate—or give “voice” to—those who can’t.
“My favorite thing about the communication department is our ability to see problems that others on our campus ignore or simply can’t see,” Hite said. “I am glad that I associate myself with a department willing to call them problems and work toward finding a solution.”
