By Zakary Christen-Cooney, class of ’25
College is an incredibly busy time. Between classes, student organizations, and social lives, it’s easy to let a few opportunities slip by. When I first walked into Allen Hall four years ago, I was intimidated by the task of figuring out how to make the most of my time here to ensure success after college. As a senior advertising major in the UO School of Journalism and Communication (SOJC), these are some resources I wish I had known about sooner:
1. Take advantage of career advising.
When many people think of advising, they tend to think only about academic advising. However, the career advising provided by the Undergraduate Student Success Center is invaluable too. Career advisers can help you figure out what you want to do after college and encourage you to explore internships and job opportunities.
In fact, going to career advising in spring term of my sophomore year turned me on to various opportunities, including a photography/multimedia internship with the SOJC Communication team. I got that internship and have been doing the job for almost two years now. Not only is it a great entry on my resume, but also the experience has helped me qualify for other positions, such as a video editor job for Align magazine.
The SOJC is home to a terrific group of advisors who are dedicated to the success of students. Every time I walk into the Undergraduate Student Success Center stressed out about a scheduling issue or next steps in my career, I am met with nothing but kindness and amazing advice. And if you’re lucky, you might just get to meet one of the adorable corgis who sometimes accompany Sally Garner, senior director for student success. Hear more about Sally’s corgis on the SOJC’s podcast “One Cool Story.”
2. It’s all about connections and mentoring.
Both of my parents work in higher education, so it was natural as I started my college career to ask them for advice. As a first-year student, I asked them about the habits of successful college students. They replied with sage advice: “They build relationships with their professors by going out of their way to show up to office hours. Instead of just taking the class, they fully engage and make themselves memorable. That way, if an opportunity comes around that they are qualified for, they’ll be top of mind.”
At the SOJC we have the privilege of learning from faculty who have years of experience in their respective fields and many who are still active in their professions while teaching. Some of the most interesting and helpful conversations I’ve had occurred when I took an hour out of my day to chat with professors during office hours.
For example, in the spring of 2024 I was taking an art direction class with advertising instructor Maggie Elias. We had a term-long project that I had become invested in, so I decided to drop in to her office hours to get some feedback on my progress. As the term progressed, I continued going to office hours every week to craft my project and discuss the ins and outs of the advertising industry that she was actively working in. When the term came to a close, I asked if she could provide feedback on my portfolio website, and she agreed. Just a couple weeks after publishing my website, I can confidently say that her input was helpful in allowing me to make an accurate and concise presentation of my work to prospective employers.
3. Check out camera gear from the J-Cage and Creative Central.
If you’re a visual artist, you understand that cameras and accessories are expensive. Luckily, the J-Cage provides about $750,000 worth of professional equipment readily available to students. The opportunity of having industry-level gear at your fingertips is not something to pass up. Instead of having to go to a local store and rent a piece of gear for the weekend, SOJC students can walk over to the J-Cage in Allen Hall and check out high-quality gear to create their projects.
Even if you have no intention of becoming a visual artist, this is an opportunity you should seize while you have the chance. The SOJC pushes students to explore unfamiliar fields in the name of learning. Don’t be afraid to go check out a camera for a weekend and try your hand at photography just because you can. The worst outcome is you’ll find it isn’t your cup of tea. The best outcome is you’ll discover a new passion or hobby.
4. The advising newsletter offers valuable information.
Most of the time when you get a random email, it’s easy to ignore, and I don’t blame you. As students, we get bombarded with promotions for events, Canvas updates and much more. However, the SOJC advising newsletter is one email I would recommend putting on your “safe” list and taking the time to at least skim through.
The newsletter is filled with useful information, including academic and career resources, important events, scholarships, internships and campus job openings. With so much happening in our lives, it’s easy to miss important information. Luckily, the advising newsletter consolidates everything you need in two to three pages.
One of the most useful things that the newsletter sheds light on is the SOJC Internship Support Fund. It is designed for all SOJC students who have accepted unpaid or low-paying internships. The donor-supported fund provides students with a stipend, which turns unpaid or underpaid internships into paid internships. I wasn’t aware of resources like this until I started looking at the weekly newsletter.
My time here at the SOJC has been nothing short of wonderful, and my prospects for life after college are promising mainly because of the unique resources and amazing people whose mission it is to ensure that students succeed.
Zakary Christen-Cooney is a fourth-year advertising major in the UO School of Journalism and Communication. He has a passion for visual storytelling, which he explores through various projects.