Student Spotlight-Q&A with Sara Allen

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Sara Allen is originally from the Charleston area, but moved to Fort Mill, SC when she was in third grade. She earned her Bachelors of Arts degree in Communication from Coker College in Hartsville, SC. While enrolled in Coker, she was a member of the Coker College Women’s Golf Team. She has since moved back to Charleston to earn her Master’s degree in Communication from the University of Charleston, South Carolina at the College of Charleston. Sara currently resides downtown and works in the President’s Office at CofC.

 

 

 

 

Why did you choose the Master of Arts in Communication program at College of Charleston?

I met Dr. Westerfelhaus at the Carolina’s Communication Conference last year and got to talk with him about CofC’s program.

Describe a project or experience relevant to your MCOM program of study that you are currently working on or have already accomplished (graduate assistantship, research project, internship, etc.)?

I completed a study for my undergraduate senior seminar about how sexism in golf is communicated to female golfers. I interviewed about 30 women/girls who play and/or coach about their experiences. I was able to get in contact with the Communication Officer of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) via Twitter; however after I sent her the interview questions she never got back with me. More recently, I have pursued health and fitness opportunities, so I wanted to find a way to incorporate that into my research to maintain my interest in the topic and find practical value in the study. This semester I’m examining the Nerd Fitness online community by investigating how they use gamification to influence people to live healthier lives.

What are your plans following graduate school (professional career, doctoral program, personal aspirations, etc.)? Why?

That’s a good question. I originally started graduate school with the goal of being a professor but that is no longer the plan. I think I want to pursue a position in sports marketing…maybe. I’ll figure it out.

What is one piece of advice that you would give incoming graduate students?

There’s a lot of reading. It’s not like undergrad reading that you can get away with not reading. Actually read what the professors assign, it helps a lot.

What is a fun fact about you that most people do not know?

I have a slight Pinterest obsession. I do a lot of DIY projects/crafts. The most recent was a set of cornhole boards that have folding legs so they can double as a beer pong table. One is painted with a Coker theme, the other with a CofC theme.

About ssnowsm

My name is Stephenie Snow and I'm a second year graduate student in the MCOM program. I'm currently the MCOM GA-Marketing & Recruitment and will be posting great information for alumni, current and future students. If you have any questions about the blog or the MCOM program in general, please feel free to contact me. Thanks for reading!! :)

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