Q&A: Working in Communications for an Environmental Science Department
May 6, 2019
Amanda is an English major with an interest in education and felt herself drawn to working for an environmental science department
Amanda was a student communication specialist in the department from March 2018 through May 2019, assisting with internal communications, content creation, social media management and general department organization.
We asked her and her experience working for our department and any advice she might have for a student worker in communications!
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am from Phoenix, Arizona, with a major in English and minor in Adolescents, Community, and Education. Some of my hobbies include thrifting, playing the ukulele or guitar, writing poetry and cooking breakfast foods. I worked as a Student Communication Specialist for the department for just over a year as they were beginning to put more emphasis on marketing and communications.
What informed your decision to work for an environmental science department?
I heard about the communication specialist position through email. I have always had a strong interest in environmental justice and took several classes that concerned how to engage education and environmental science together, so the job position fit my interests very well!
What was something that surprised you or something unexpected?
I was surprised at how expansive the entire department. There are so many subjects being taught and researched--I was surprised by some of the research by the undergraduate and graduate students.
What was a challenge you had to overcome during your time as a student communications specialist in our department?
The position was brand new, so I had to navigate how to build a consistent schedule and tasks for myself. I had many new items assigned to me as time went along.
What have you learned during your time with our department?
I learned about the intricacy of organization when it comes curriculum, future goals and programming work. There is so much behind the scenes work that needs to be done in order to have a successful department! As someone who is going into education in the near future, it was really helpful to see all of the moving components and collaboration!
What are your next steps and what are most excited about for the future?
I will be starting my Master’s at Arizona State University after graduation in May 2019. I have just been assigned my first student internship and will be doing student teaching in an 11th grade English class as a part of my curriculum starting in the fall. I am so excited to be continuing my studies and hope to keep my love and interest in Environmental Science close to me as well.
Any words of advice for someone looking to take over your position?
Be flexible! I think this goes along with other positions I have held on campus, but as an entire university we are always trying to improve and progress and therefore lots of new things could potentially be heading your way at any point in time.