Anna Gongre

COM 420: Portfolio Prep

Dr. Butler Cain

16 February 2020

Reflection Paper

When I started attending the University of North Alabama, I was an overconfident, 18-

year-old who knew nothing about true independence. I thought that working throughout high

school, doing my chores, and excelling academically mean that college would be a breeze for

me. It was clear within the first week that I really had no idea what I was getting into. Of course,

there are a lot of common-sense lessons that I have experienced in college, but those come with

adulting in any fashion. However, I think the University of North Alabama has truly played an

important role in shaping the person I am today.

For most of my life, I wanted to become a veterinarian. After a series of reconstructive

knee surgeries and years of physical therapy, I wanted to become a physical therapist. In late

high school and the summer before college, I wanted to study vocal theater. By the time I had

moved onto campus, I had declared Elementary Education as my major. When I got told I

couldn’t minor in music and study education, I became undecided. After one of my professors

commented on my writing ability, I declared Professional Writing as my major.

The first few semesters of my writing courses were creative writing and literature. I loved

writing, but I felt that I lacked the application skills I would need in the future. One day, I was

venting my frustrations to my boss, and she suggested I take a Communications class. From day

one, I was hooked. I immediately added a Public Relations minor, because I felt the two would
work flawlessly together. A few months later, I realized I could double major in Professional

Writing and Public Relations in four years. How could I not?

One of the things my PR professors have always stressed is networking. You never know

what benefit could come out of shaking someone’s hand and introducing yourself or taking

someone to lunch. Before I got to college, I was scared to call and make my own doctor’s

appointments. Now, I’m establishing relationships with working professionals that will benefit

me later. I have to attribute most of this to my professors. One thing UNA has never lacked in

my experience is dedicated and caring faculty and staff. From buying coffee for the class to hugs

after a breakdown, my professors have always shown their faith in me. This has helped my

confidence grow tremendously.

While my confidence has grown, so has my desire for things to be proud of. College has

shown me that my own hard work and dedication almost always pays off. In fact, this lesson has

been so embedded in my brain that I often have to remind myself that you can put too much

effort into something. I know that you can’t always know everything that is going on with others,

but it has always bothered me when other people don’t even try to do well. I just read a book for

Dr. Garfrerick’s class, and it said, “You are what you publish.” I very much believe that my

work is a reflection of myself, and I would be embarrassed for others to see anything other than

me trying my best.

During one of my internships, I found out I was the only unpaid intern. I also found out

that I was the one there the most and the only one with an ongoing project. I became extremely

frustrated with my work there, and it showed. I failed to recognize the opportunity that I had

been given, and I regret it now. I left my internship on great terms, but I still wish that I had

contributed more effort to my work there. Just as high schoolers don’t care about their
standardized test scores until it’s too late, I failed to realize how much my class work and

internships could benefit me until later.

On the topic of class work and internships, I recall two more important lessons that I have

learned at the University of North Alabama. The first one is that no one else can do your work

for you. While parents and professors are a nice crutch, they already have their own lives. There

comes a point when you have to start establishing your own life. If you have worked hard for

yourself throughout college, then you should have the knowledge to embrace the “real world.”

Skipping out or half-hearted projects only result in one’s own deficiency later. The second

important lesson is that you can always make the best out of everything. Don’t worry, I’m not

referring to a public relations spin that can be put on things. I am talking about shifting

perspectives. For example, I was upset that I did all of this free hard work for my internship;

however, I could have appreciated the incredible projects that it would enable me to have in my

portfolio.

College has truly taught me not everything is black and white. I have always been a

planner. I plan things to the point that I would be upset about improvements to it just because we

aren’t following the original schedule. Life constantly throws challenges your way. It is more

important to be prepared for anything to happen that to plan for exact things.

In my final semester at UNA, I have started to notice my one final lesson. If you act like

a responsible adult, people will treat you like a responsible adult. This has been the case with my

work and academic environments. There is a certain poise or awareness that comes with

becoming an adult. My personality is important, but it isn’t always the most important. UNA has

taught me that I am ready to become an adult. I am anxious and excited about entering the

professional world. I am also confident that my education has prepared me well. As I read more
books on marketing, advertising, and PR, the points have all started to seem like common sense

to me. That is how I know my education is ingrained in my brain, and I am ready to start

applying it. I am grateful for all of the triumphs and hardships that I have had here at the

University of North Alabama, and I wouldn’t change a thing about my experience.