Welcome! Hopefully you are getting settled in to the new school year at Missouri State University. My name is Dr. Randy Dillon, and I’m the interim head for the Department of Communication. Several of you may already know me as one of your teachers in a course or as the internship coordinator for the department. When you get the chance feel free to stop by my office in Craig 375, give me a call at 417-836-4423, or email at RandyDillon@MissouriState.edu.
Check out the following items below for some beginning of the academic year events and news happenings. Because things move swiftly I suggest checking out the latest information, media, and events going on in the department at our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter @msuCOMDept. Also of course check out the Department of Communication’s University website for more resources and information available to students!
Get Involved!
When I have asked alumni and senior interns about advice they could give to current students I often get the same answer. “Get involved and get experience beyond the classroom!!!” Here are just a few things that are coming up for you to become involved.
What is Public Relations? Come check out PRSSA, the Public Relations Student Society of America, and find out! Our new member meeting will be at 4:30 on Tuesday, August 30th in Craig 334. Our first official meeting will be right after at 5:00 in Craig 330.
Beginning-of-the-Year Meet and Greet Informational Get-together for Socio-Political Majors and those considering Socio-Political Com. Thursday, September 1, 5pm in Craig 334.
This get together will give you the chance to meet your professors, other majors, and students interested in Socio-Political Communication. There will be a discussion of jobs/post-graduation plans, and feedback will be solicited on “things you would like to see” done with the major. Better yet—pizza will be provided. And the RUMORS are TRUE about a new Socio-Political Bulletin Board going up. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Dudash at Dudash@MissouriState.edu or 417-827-4644.
Public Affairs Week runs the week of September 12-16, 2011
This year’s Public Affairs Week (PAW) kicks off programs relating to this year’s public affairs theme focusing on “The Culture of Connectivity.” There are several events during Public Affairs Week that COM students would find intriguing. Titles include: Connecting to our Past-Communication Methods of the Past; The Good of the Internet-How the Internet is being used to promote good causes; The Bad of the Internet- How the Internet is being used Internationally for Protests, and Internet Censorship; The Ugly of the Internet – Dangers of Internet Stalking and other misuses of the world wide web. For a complete PAW schedule go to: http://www.missouristate.edu/paw/
COM Week 2011 – This year’s theme is “Com-bat: A Superhero’s Guide to a Career in Communication”. Superheros will be on campus the week of Sept. 26th – 30th providing students with an abundance of networking and professional development opportunities. Several events are scheduled for COM Week including programs on dressing for success, managing your online presence, communication careers in non-profits, and the ever popular Friday networking luncheon. Stay tuned for more information.
It’s not too early to start thinking about…
The Career Center on the MSU campus has several things this semester with some events coming soon in September.
- Sept. 13 &14: Resume Madness – Bring in your resume for a quick review
- Sept. 15: Dress to Impress Presentation by Dillards. Dillard’s representatives will present information on how to dress appropriately for interviews, career fairs, and other job search-related activities. The event is free, but registration is required and limited to 50 students.
Check out the Career Center website for more information
http://careercenter.missouristate.edu
Career Center, Carrington 309/Glass 101, CareerCenter@MissouriState.edu
Ganbatte!
Several years ago I had the opportunity to live and work in Japan. One of my favorite words in the Japanese language is ganbatte. Ganbatte or sometimes spelled gambatte is a simple word that captures a complex meaning. Ganbatte means to try hard, to persist, to go for it, to do your best. Ganbatte is an excellent example of a single word in one language that has to be explained with several words and phrases in another language. So, as you thrust yourself forward into all that you have to do this academic year, the word from me to you is GANBATTE!
Randy Dillon