What are Students Saying?
Cassylee Mead
- WSU Everett class of 2018- Integrated Strategic Communication
- Sales and Marketing Intern for Waterways Cruises and Events
- Studied at EvCC as a Running Start student from Fall 2014 to Spring 2016
- Managing Editor- Digital with The Clipper during the 2015-2016 school year
Why did you choose the JOURNcomm program?
The JOURNcomm program became my home by happy accident of needing an elective credit. However, I was drawn to the program because I was interested in storytelling and quickly realized that the staff was dedicated to not only great news writing, but great storytelling.
To this day, being a part of the JOURNcomm program at EvCC was one of the best decisions I have ever made. From life-long friends to incredible improvements in my writing, I just can't imagine a world in which I wasn't a part of that program.
How did the JOURNcomm program help you in the long run?
After The Clipper, I started an internship with the American Red Cross serving Snohomish County as a public information officer. A Clipper alumni recommended me and my EvCC JOURNcomm adviser informed me of the position. Later, I would move on to a position with KING 5 Television as a community relations intern from a mutual connection at the American Red Cross. I would go on to hold internship positions with Holland America Group, The Walt Disney Company and Waterways Cruises and Events. While only two of these positions directly came from Clipper connections, the valuable resume building experience The Clipper gave me has contributed to much of my success.
Advice for current students?
My advice to current students would be to try new things, build your portfolio and track your contributions. Companies love measurable statistics that prove your worth, and since The Clipper has so many hands-on opportunities, you have so much potential. This experience is only what you make of it, so make the best of it.
Adam Householder
- WSU Everett Class of 2019- Integrated Strategic Communication
- Contributing writer for The Snohomish Tribune, Marketing volunteer for P.A.W.S.
- Attended EvCC from 2015-2017
- United States Military Veteran
Why did you choose the JOURNcomm program?
I had a talent and passion for storytelling going into my school experience, but Mr. Wahl was the personal advocate that took interest in my abilities and gave me the courage and support I needed along with the expertise of the industry -- to give me the confidence that this was a path that I could not only go down, but have success in.
What was your favorite experience in the program?
My biggest obstacle was trying to identify what I have an interest in and what I’m good at. Talking with Andrew Wahl about my interests and about what I could see myself doing was an exploratory process that helped me pare down to an actual focus, rather than just heading in a certain direction.
Did the JOURNcomm program help you in the long run?
Dude. Invaluable. Writing on a deadline and having to collaborate with others about catering your message to specific audiences is a learning experience in itself. You learn how to think differently; you see things more critically than you would working on a piece by yourself. Also, I’ve learned I hate writing on a deadline. Hate, hate, hate…. But now I know I’m not a fan of that process and am now more focused on opportunities away from that.
Advice to students considering the program?
If you’re considering it, you should try it. You won’t regret giving something a shot that you have interest in. “You miss all the shots you don’t take,” or something inspirational like that. Storytelling is a talent and skill that can be appreciated/utilized in so many different industries. So don’t feel like you’d be pigeonholing yourself; you’re really expanding your opportunities with the experience.
Alexis K. Jones
- UW class of 2019- Communications and Dance
- Studied at EvCC as a Running Start student from Fall 2015 to Spring 2017
- On The Clipper staff for 5 quarters, Managing Editor- Digital her second year
Why did you choose the JOURNcomm program?
I was a Running Start student at EvCC and knew I was wanting to pursue a career in communications or journalism. My first quarter, I took Journalism 101 with Andrew Wahl and fell in love with the program. It was absolutely the right fit for me. The program allowed me to dive into different sectors of communications and journalism and really discover what I wanted to do. Being on The Clipper was one of the best learning experiences I have ever had. It is a hands-on and self-driven learning environment, which allowed me to go after things that excited me.
What was your favorite experience in the program?
There are two experiences I really loved in the JOURNcomm program. My first, of course, would have to be The Clipper because of all the opportunities I had to explore the field and learn. My second was Small Group Communications with Jo-Ann Sickles. In this class, we really put to test all of the things we had learned in this and previous communications classes. To this day, it is still one of my favorite communications classes I have taken.
Advice to students considering the program?
Get involved! There are so many ways to get involved in the program. Check out The Clipper, meet other JOURNcomm students, and take all the JOURNcomm classes you can. Your time at EvCC is short, so get the most out of this amazing program as you can! Follow The Clipper on social media.
Rilee Louangphakdy
- WSU Everett Class of 2019- Integrated Strategic Communication
- Part-time assistant for the recreational supervisor at the City of Everett
- Attended EvCC from Fall 2017 to Spring 2017
Why did you choose the JOURNcomm program?
I made a few changes before settling on the JOURNcomm program, to be honest... Either way, the communications field was always right for me. Besides my personal goals of getting a career in public speaking or marketing, my high school career was literally focused in the communications field (Marysville Getchell High School - International School of Communications).
What was your favorite experience in the program?
Meeting T. Andrew Wahl and having his classes (definitely including The Clipper) gave me the core knowledge I needed for taking my first step into WSU Everett’s Integrated Strategic Communication program. Another experience that was really insightful for me - although technically not a part of school- was the TEDx talk I gave. The entire experience gave me good wisdom and insight for the public speaking side of communications.
How did the JOURNcomm program help you in the long run?
At my current job, my experiences in the communications field at EvCC and high school, along with my own interpretations, lead me to exceeding my supervisor's expectations everyday. I also get job opportunities because of my competence and awareness that I've built from the communications industry. Although I don't plan on staying with the City of Everett in the future, I continue to refine and practice my communications skills in order to prepare for my desired career- while searching for opportunities and making impacts in the industry along the way.
Advice to students considering the program?
I look at the communications industry the same way I look at art: once you learn the basics, you should focus on how to express your personal and unique self. This can be applied to other industries, of course, but it is especially true with communications and journalism. The industry needs more personality and individualism. Whether you want to be a journalist, editor, web designer, filmmaker, whatever- make sure you know how to truly express yourself. And the way to get there is to apply your personal desires and intentions into everything you learn.