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A Letter from the Director

Posted by ajh558

Dear Friends,

Thank you for eight amazing years as your program director!

My time with you has been among the most professionally transformative, fulfilling, and productive of my career. I have learned and grown more in this role than ever could have been anticipated and am personally rewarded by your camaraderie and friendship.

It is with immense gratitude that I move on from this role to fulfill longtime plans to return to the East Coast and will settle in suburban Boston with my family next month. I am looking forward to time off this summer, to completing my dissertation this fall, and to moving on professionally thereafter.

Again, thank you for embracing me as your program director and for sending me off with a wonderful outpouring of support.

Sincerely,

Staci H. Zake

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Categories: alumni, culture, leadership, MSC, MSC Value, Northwestern, NU, team development, values

New Student Tip #3

Posted by Erika Schulz Nygaard

Tip #3: Travel lightly.

If you arrive at the MSC program with some work experience (as most–but not all–of us do), you are probably used to having some space to call your own at your workplace. This space is likely where your personal items and coat get stashed for the day. In other words, you forgot what it’s like to have to carry your belongings around with you.

Well, prepare to remember. In college, there is no designated space to call your own in the academic buildings. Coats, backpacks, handbags, and anything else you bring with you will be your responsibility throughout the day. Furthermore, items left lying around in common areas outside the classrooms have an unfortunate tendency to disappear.

MSC Saturdays involve:

  • The morning core class, which is often quite full and requires the most squeezing of yourself and your stuff into a small space,
  • Lunch, which involves walking to/from another building, again stashing your stuff in close proximity, and finally
  • The afternoon elective class, which is typically smaller and thus provides the most leeway for piling your belongings onto an adjacent chair.

I found I refrained from wearing long or heavy coats, except during the worst weather. For example, I have a long down parka that has been my go-to for about eight Chicago winters now, but although it is very light it was just too much to deal with on class days. On the other hand, a short, light jacket fits easily onto the back of any chair.

Same goes for my bag. I shopped high and low for the perfect backpack that would fit my things in a slim design, and everything I carry has to fit in there. I refrain from bringing anything else with me if at all possible, because it’s too much trouble to have more items to carry around during the day.

Traveling lightly will help ensure your focus can stay on your studies, and less on the annoyances of managing your belongings while at school.

P.S. A friendly reminder and invitation to my fellow bloggers to please contribute to this running list of new student tips, if they have something to share.

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Categories: experiences, MSC, Northwestern, NU, Perspective

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New Student Tip #2

Posted by Erika Schulz Nygaard

iPad and keyboard

My trusty iPad and keyboard combo

Tip #2: You don’t need to buy a computer. Unless you want to. (In which case, definitely utilize your educational discount!)

However, having a computer with you at all times is not necessary. Many students take notes on paper, often utilizing the PowerPoint slides provided by instructors in advance. Other students make use of tablets or phone screens, with or without a wireless keyboard. Still others carry laptops, or some combination of the above.

When I was admitted into the MSC program, I already owned a fully equipped iMac, an iPad, and an iPhone. I wondered, did I really need a laptop, too? Something about the program materials gave me the impression I needed to carry a computer.

My solution was an iPad/keyboard combo, which has worked very well. I love the pint sized portability of it, as well as the flexibility of using my device as either a tablet or a pseudo-laptop. For a $100 investment, I greatly enhanced the functionality of my iPad. The keyboard provides easy access to numbers, symbols, shortcuts, and of course a physical object on which to type much more quickly and accurately. Although occasionally I find the iPad’s functionality limited compared to that of a laptop (moving files between apps can be tricky, and the features of apps are not always easily discerned or available), for me the relatively rare inconvenience is not worth the cost of a new device.

At times, instructors will not allow technology in the classroom. This does not happen a lot, but it does come up. I find it helpful to carry a small pad and pen with me as a backup.

A computer and internet connection will be required at certain times, such as registering for classes, viewing or paying your tuition bill, or when you need to type an essay. The university will communicate with you strictly through email and online platforms. Also, group projects are often managed through Google Docs and Skype. However, even then, if you have access to a computer at one of NU’s computer labs, at work, or at home, these tasks can be achieved.

It is helpful to have some kind of device with you, such as a smart phone, for email communications and impromptu research during class. But if you don’t currently own a laptop, it’s not imperative to buy one. Other tools can be and often are utilized in the classroom just as effectively.

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Categories: experiences, MSC, Northwestern, NU

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New Student Tip #1

Posted by Erika Schulz Nygaard

coursepacks

A small stack of reading material

Tip #1: identify a few speed reading strategies, and start practicing them.

Shown here: coursepacks for just three courses.

Not pictured: the myriad documents I read electronically on my iPad.

As Professor Rick Morris said, “Graduate students need to be efficient.” Reading every word of the assigned articles and case studies in this program would be (in my opinion) inefficient. I don’t advise skipping readings, but rather finding ways to speed up the process.

I invite (or should I say challenge?) my fellow bloggers-in-crime to add to this list. Let’s see if we can get to, say, 30? Thirty tips for 30 years of MSC? I like the sound of that.

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Categories: class readings, experiences, finding balance, MSC, Northwestern, Workload

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The Spring Quarter Slide (With Apologies to the Trees)

Posted by Erika Schulz Nygaard

photo of the trees

The trees

It happens every year. My favorite group of trees on the lakefront come alive with beautiful, delicate, fragrant blossoms in spite of the winter weather they endure. Half of them white, half of them pink, their branches positively exploding with flowers. I make a point of walking through them every day this time of year, a seasonal ritual that makes me very happy.

These beautiful blossoming branches often remind me of things—new life, nature’s amazing wonder and beauty, or my own springtime wedding. This year I also see my MSC experience in the branches. Me, emerging from a winter of challenging course work and professional self-scrutiny, feeling the sun shine again, ready to bloom.

Just when the white blossoms peak, the pink blooms emerge, and eventually they both give way to full green leaves. So too, the MSC experiences seem to flow as one event triggers the next. Winter quarter fades into spring, the orchestrated chaos of studying ensues, and now I’m thinking about graduation announcements. With apologies to the trees, having watched them year after year, they remind me of how far I’ve come.

Spring quarter didn’t start out this way. It got off to a bumpy start for me, and I’m not sure why. Spring break, unlike the winter break that preceded it full of holidays and obligations, was a real rest. My husband and I briefly escaped the cold weather to a warmer place where I completely unplugged. Then I kept the flame alive reading books recommended in the Globalization class. Winter quarter was quite challenging, but I felt proud of my work as I reflected upon it in the rearview mirror.

Back in class, though, it became clear how much each quarter has its own personality. New classes and new professors bring new types of learning experiences, and it was disruptive for me. In both classes I’m responsible for weekly assignments in addition to midterms and finals, which distributes the load differently but is more consistently tiring. And in a way, starting Q3 made me feel like we were already done; adjusting to the changes felt futile.

By Week 4, thankfully, I had a routine down and felt more like myself. It’s a short-lived platitude, since the number of Saturdays left in this particular session is rapidly dwindling. But, I’m learning valuable nuggets in my classes. I look forward to my weekly assignments. And it feels good to be finding a stride, even if it’s inevitably short lived.

close up of pink blossoms

See, exploding with flowers!

Maybe it’s all the pollen, but I really admire those white and pink trees. This year, they also cause me to realize I am feeling really good about what I’ve accomplished and about what lies ahead. The purpose of the pain is becoming clear. Winter is a memory and lo, there is life within the earth again. Like the blooming branches, I have something valuable to contribute, and I’m feeling optimistic that I will get my turn.

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Categories: end of semester, experiences, MSC, Northwestern, NU, Perspective

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International Roundtable Discussion

Posted by ama537

Lu Bai, MSC ’12, led an International Roundtable Discussion on Saturday, May 2. This session was designed exclusively for international students by a former international student to provide advice for navigating university resources and developing a post-graduation OPT/employment strategy. This was a great opportunity for current students to receive insight from an experienced alumna who has gone through MSC and successfully leveraged her degree to advance professionally!

 

photo 5 copy

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Categories: careers, MSC, MSC Value, networks, Northwestern

What’s NEXT?

Posted by Erika Schulz Nygaard

Erika and her host

My host and me. Still smiling at the end of a full day!

Last month I had the opportunity to be an extern for a day through Northwestern’s NEXT program. This program pairs alumni with students to provide a “day in the life” job shadowing experience. After being matched with an alumna host, I traveled to Neenah, WI to witness corporate publishing in action! It was a great opportunity to glimpse a business from the inside and expand my network. I hope my documented experience here will help future MSC students should they decide to give it a try.

What is NEXT?

NEXT is a program offered through Northwestern Career Advancement (NCA). Alumni are first solicited to volunteer to host students for a day at their offices, which the program calls externships. A listing of externship opportunities is generated based on alumni response. Students are then invited to peruse and apply for the opportunities. This year, I believe there were about 700 externships offered in a wide variety of industries and geographic locations.

Students are allowed to apply for up to 8 externships. They are also allowed to assign each application a ranking based on interest in the opportunity–very interested, sort of interested, or not interested. The system works by matching the stated interests of students as well as the hosts, so in theory two parties who are “very interested” in each other can be matched.

In addition to providing a resume, applicants are asked to write a paragraph (not an essay) indicating why they are interested in the externship(s). NCA recommended against using the same paragraph for each opportunity, anticipating a generic response would likely be noticeable to the hosts. I started with a generic paragraph and then customized it for each opportunity.

Although it took me several hours to complete, I used all 8 of my application tickets, and I recommend doing so. More applications clearly increase your odds of being matched. Furthermore, I feel any alumnus who is thoughtful enough to voluntarily participate in NEXT probably has something valid to teach and share. Even if an opportunity is a secondary choice, it is likely to provide a positive experience.

My Externship

I was matched with J. J. Keller, a corporate publisher serving construction and other industries. On the appointed day, I met my host in the lobby of the company headquarters in Neenah, WI. With its grandfather clock and display cases of memorabilia from this family business, it was a surprisingly homey entrance to what is otherwise a very large facility that includes offices, dining, a health clinic, a gym, and manufacturing.

I was given information about the company, and a pen with a stylus tip!

I was given information about the company, and a pen with a stylus tip!

After showing me to her office, my host present me with our schedule for the day. It was completely blocked out. She walked me through each item, pointing out how the various meetings corresponded to my stated areas of interest such as customer insights, product development, and data measurement. (During our previous correspondence, I was asked to indicate what I was interested in learning about during the externship.) It was clear she made an effort to tailor the day’s activities to me, and I was impressed by this thoughtfulness.

It was also clear the company was prepared for my visit. I was introduced to several directors and managers, each of whom seemed to be expecting me. (As it happens, I knew one of them from high school. We hadn’t seen each other in at least 20 years! Small world.) A recruiting manager personally handled my tour of the main office building, inquiring about my background so that she could better show me the building.

Throughout the day, I was encouraged to offer ideas or provide feedback. Occasionally I was also put on the spot and asked directly to contribute based on my learnings from graduate school. I wish I had been better prepared for these questions. Future MSC students who participate in NEXT ought to consider these opportunities as soft interviews. In preparation, go beyond basic research and consider how you might contribute to business conversations during this experience.

Fortunately, I had course readings fresh in my mind from the night before, and despite my lack of direct preparation in this regard I seemed to do okay. I received LinkedIn invitations from almost all the managers and directors I met, which felt reassuring. I also left with a very positive impression of J. J. Keller. The company does great work, and they have a terrific team of people. I was very glad I made the trip.

NEXT Steps

Interested in applying for NEXT in 2016? Watch for emails from the university in January or so. The date for your externship will be negotiated between you and your host upon being matched, though NCA recommends scheduling sometime in March or April.

Several other MSC students enjoyed externship opportunities, as well. Maybe they will blog about them (hint, hint)? At least one person was not matched, unfortunately, so be sure to apply for as many as you can, as getting a match is not guaranteed.

Although I was not required by NEXT to do any follow up, I sent a thank you note and small gift. And I hope someday, when I’m in the right situation, to consider hosting an extern myself. It was a valuable experience, and I highly recommend it.

JJ Keller Office

Last glimpse, departing at the end of the day.

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Categories: alumni, careers, experiences, MSC, networks, Northwestern, NU, professional development

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Understanding and Leveraging Networks

Posted by Matt Sterenberg

For the Spring Term, our morning class is “Understanding and Leveraging Networks”, taught by Noshir Contractor (known as Nosh). Before the term began, I wasn’t thrilled about this class. Networking events are boring to me and I dislike individuals who try to connect for their own personal benefit.

Thankfully, the assumption I made about the class was entirely wrong. “Understanding and Leveraging Networks” is not about networking; rather, it’s about the study of networks. This distinction is critically important. Each of us has a network, whether it is a personal network made up of family and friends or a professional network comprised of colleagues. The guys you play pick up basketball with; they’re in your network too. This class is a study of those network connections and the different roles people play in those networks.

Our first paper is rather interesting too. We are tasked with analyzing our own personal Board of Directors. Just as an organization has a Board of Directors that provides resources and guides in strategic decision-making, each of us has a group of people we heed advice from during important, life-changing events.

Nosh then tasked us with analyzing our personal Board of Directors for potential gaps. For instance, are there a lot of personal connections, but not enough professional connections in your network? If you only talk to your mother and father about a career change, that’s true for you. Perhaps there are a lot of peers in your network and it’s lacking that mentor/mentee relationship. For myself, that last statement is true. I have too many individuals in the same stage of life as me and need greater thought diversity.

How about your Board of Directors? Who are the people you call when you’re falling in love, making a career change or whether or not you should enroll in this program?

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Class of 2013/2015 Mixer

Posted by Erika Schulz Nygaard

attendees at the mixer

I got to participate in the group photo, apparently a trademark of many gatherings of the class of 2013.

In February we had the honor of being invited to join members of the 2013 cohort for a mixer after class. It was great to see some familiar faces from my previous alumni networking, and to meet some new ones as well. Many thanks to Penelope for organizing the gathering!

The MSC program is a very safe environment in which to practice networking. Everyone understands the need and is supportive of such efforts. In our current core class on the study of networks, in fact, we are highly encouraged to break out of our homophily and find new seats (and hence new neighbors with which to associate) in the classroom. Over time, my husband has noticed a marked increase in my ability to walk up to strangers at an event and start talking, and this change is without question attributed to my MSC experiences. Not that I’ve turned into a new, gregarious person, but I recognize my own goals in such activities as being legitimate and worthwhile.

That said, the class of 2015 had a rather poor showing on the evening of the mixer. Engaging in social events outside of class is not a quality for which we are known. I’m told this is unusual behavior, that previous year cohorts enjoyed many drinks together. My theory is that the Saturday-only program format provides little incentive to get together outside of class. Each Saturday is a full day, and when it wraps up our weekends are already half over, at which point we feel obligated to return to our normal lives. Others in the program may have different explanations.

Nonetheless, I was glad I attended. In the course of networking with alumni, the mixer helped reinforce my perspective on the MSC program and what it can do for students. I bounced my theory off of the alumni I spoke to that night. The degree itself is (like many degrees) not a guarantee of anything. Rather, it changes you from the inside out by offering new perspectives on important topics, thus making you more employable and promotable. But how that applies to your journey? There is no formula for figuring that out.

This perspective gets reiterated to me at every turn. In class, networking with alumni, and taking advantage of the career resources offered to us, I feel challenged to walk my own path and resist the desire for a prescribed plan. I’ve learned from the coursework and subsequent readings: there is no immunity from career challenges, and it’s likely everyone will be forced to deal with them at some point. For this reason and many others, it is great to see the alumni network striving to be active and supportive. I plan to be there when the next event comes around.

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Categories: alumni, career counseling, careers, experiences, finding balance, Leveraging Networks, MSC, MSC Value, networks, Northwestern, Noshir Contractor, NU, professional development

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SoC & Medill Career & Internship Fair is on April 8 from 10-3

Posted by ajh558

Dear Students and Alumni,

Just a reminder to attend this year’s SoC & Medill’s Career and Internship Fair on Wednesday, April 8th from 10-3 in Norris. Meet employers and learn about job and internship opportunities. There are over 50 employers who have registered. A complete list of employers attending the fair is attached here..

Some of the employers represented include: American Marketing Association, Bloomberg LP,  Hearst Television, Inc., Highwire PR,  L2T Media, Scranton Gilette Communications, Scrappers Film Group, Spectrum Communications and Consulting, and Whitehouse Post. 

A resume is necessary for entrance, business attire is strongly encouraged!

For more details, please contact:

Office of External Programs, Internships, & Career Services (EPICS)

Northwestern University School of Communication

70 Arts Circle Drive, 5th Floor |Evanston, IL 60208

847-467-0270 | epics@northwestern.edu

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Categories: career counseling, careers, experiences, MSC, MSC Value, networks, Northwestern, NU, ROI