Incoming Master of Arts in Survey Research (MASR) – Media and Communication Campaigns Fast-Track student Grace Sholtes aspires to be like her Opa. For Grace that means taking risks, stepping outside of her comfort zone, learning about people and cultures, and seeing where life takes her. She sees the Fast-Track as an opportunity to improve her ability to ask questions and acquire accurate data and information. In the future Grace hopes to utilize data in order to better understand audiences and have a career supporting a media platform.
While studying abroad in Perugia, Italy she developed developed an interest in learning about and incorporating her experiences with different cultures into her everyday life. The journey empowered her to go beyond her comfort zone and travel alone to unknown places. These memories and skills are now embedded within her character, and she takes them with her.
Her interest in media, communication and the role of the consumer in society began with a course on “Media and Literary Criticism”. During this course she learned about maintaining individuality while participating in societal activities. Through her coursework this semester as a Communication major, Grace has become increasingly interested in how media evolves and builds upon itself so rapidly.
Through the Media and Communication Campaigns Track she can intertwine her interests and learn about others. She explains, “I want to learn about how companies, organizations, small businesses, and even every-day people, use collected data to tend to their audience. It is like taking care of your roots. If you understand your audience, collect data and apply it then you will be able to enjoy the fruit.”
What is the fruit Grace is talking about? Well it is different for everyone, and according to Grace the fruit is what drives you and gives you purpose. By understanding perspective and purpose, Grace hopes to better understand the consumer.
We look forward to having Grace in the classroom this spring. Interested in joining Grace and our Media and Communication Campaigns Track? Check out our October news story to learn more about our newest opportunity with UConn’s Department of Communication.