Reflection
The study of Communication has provided me with ethical and holistic avenues to address social issues. It has contributed immensely to my personal growth by fostering my curiosity and introspection regarding the ways communication shapes us. The Communication Department's mission is to empower students to become proficient communicators, practitioners, and leaders, which involves critical thinking and reflection on all areas of human communication. The courses encourage ethical reasoning and social engagement across all forms of communication, integrating theory and practice. I have gained a more profound understanding of the world we live in by studying the human communication process in contemporary social and mediated contexts.
Furthermore, studying Communication has prepared me for my future personal goals and life. The active and engaged learning environment, the opportunities for learning beyond the classroom, and the ability to apply my knowledge and skills to creative student projects and research have equipped me with the practical skills needed to excel. Through my group projects, I have been able to balance being a leader and a teammate, understanding when to “step up” and “step back”. A crucial skill I have learned is how to locate and speak to different audiences in order to enact change in our communities.
Reflecting on my freshman year COMM 1 class, I recognize tangible improvements in my interpretative and writing skills, as well as my problem-solving abilities. Through the Program Learning Objectives mentioned above, I have demonstrated mastery of well-researched propositions for projects that cover global communication, strategic communication, and computer-mediated communication.
Finally, in creating this portfolio, I have gained a newfound awareness of my personal growth since my arrival at Santa Clara in 2019. Looking forward to my future career aspirations, I am confident in my ability to transfer my communication skills and to continue pursuing diversity, equity, and inclusion structures in both my personal and professional life.