Tag Archives: mercyhurst university

Communication Campaigns Trade Show

I thoroughly enjoyed the classes that I took my final term at Mercyhurst!

Two of my favorite classes were Communication Campaigns and Convergence Management. I know that I will use the skills and information from both classes in the near future as I enter the professional world.

For Communication Campaigns, we worked in groups to help create a Shop Local campaign for the Erie Regional Chamber of Commerce and Growth Partnership. My group worked received personal services, which included everything from barber studios to carpet cleaners to nursing services.

We called ourselves ‘Decant Media’. ‘Decant’ means ‘to pour’; so we went with the theme of ‘pouring ideas’ from one medium to another.

My position within the group was Social Media director and photographer.

I wrote and produced a film about shopping local, with the help of local barber Joe Lombardo. We could not be more helpful for all of his support.

Not only did we have to create a campaign, we had to create a booth for a trade show, where we were judged by our professors, peers, and community members and professionals.

Booth Banner

We created a variety of materials to hand out to trade show guests.

Personal Services Erie Borchure

My group had materials, a movie running, a site walk through, and a photography booth, and later, a masseuses.

 

Here’s a prop from the photographer’s booth.

 

Straw Hat Photo Booth Prop

For our booths, we had to have handouts. Not only did we receive a lot of gift cards and vouchers for personal services from local business owners, we received a lot of physical items, such as pens.

Pens

The group that had Athletics hung sports equipment, among other things. They raffled off merchandise for those who voted for their booth.
Cleat Sports

Here, my classmate, Charlie, who was in the Professional Services group, poses at his groups’ booth.Charlie

Great job to all my classmates and thanks to all of the attendees for showing up!Me at the Trade Show

Graduation!

Mercyhurst Sign

Here, I pose with one of my schools’ signs on the edge of campus.

 

I can’t believe that four years have come to pass. Sometimes, it feels like yesterday, that I was a high school senior preparing for college. Then, I realize how much I’ve grown and who I’ve become during my college experience, and know that it was definitely not yesterday.

After three major changes, I received my Bachelors Degree. I majored in Communication Studies and minored in Education Studies.

Now that I’m home from all of my adventures (that I’ll post about later), I’ve begun the job search. I’m nervous, because searching for a long-term, professional job is different from any sort of teaching or internships that I’ve had in the past. Not to mention, that I find my weaknesses, as I get further into the desired employee qualifications. My parents and older brother agree that they post higher standards than they actually expect in a candidate. That being said, it’s also allowed me to know what things I should independently study and look for books on.

With my parents at school after the commencement ceremony.

With my parents at school after the commencement ceremony.

I’ve enjoyed being home, because that has allowed me to connect with people where I wish to begin my professional career, and not 3,000 miles away. I’ve begun to network, but I’m still impatient, because my “ten year plan” begins at getting a job (as does getting my own apartment and a car).

My first two years at school, I developed a lot socially and emotionally- I became a truly independent woman. My last two years, I developed academically. I developed interests and independently studied topics I found interesting. I developed new skills, learned new computer programs, resume skills, and interview skills- and now I can’t wait to show them off. This final year has truly made me feel prepared to take on the professional world.

I still have many qualms, and sometimes I wish that I would have decided to take a fifth year of classes, but I couldn’t stand to be away from California any longer. I know that being back in the Silicon Valley will be more beneficial than more schooling.

So, I took my finals; bought a bunch of school merch; and prepared to move out, with the help of my family and friends.

During move out.

Here I am with my ex-roommate, turned best friend, Kahla, as she helps me move out.

I tried to live minimalistically my final terms at school this past year, because in previous years, there was so much stuff in my apartment to move, that it caused storage issues, and for me to miss my flight home.

College was everything they said it was going to be- and everything they didn’t say it was going to be- but I’m glad (and so ever thankful) that I got to go.

It’s been a good, Mercyhurst.

Me showing off my empty apartment during move out.

Me showing off my empty apartment during move out.

Take it easy and thank you.

Spring Break

Spring break has arrived!

I can’t believe that it’s been nearly four years since I started university-  it was just yesterday that I was jetting across the country to start a new life, completely unaware of what it would hold for me.

That being said, I can’t wait to move back home and begin my career.

Spring break began with my usual trek back to San Francisco (and an entire row of five airplane seats to myself), and an In N Out Burger stop with my dog in the passenger seat upon arrival.

On Monday, my parents and I decided to venture to Monterey, California for the day. On our way in, we stopped at a beach harbor, where we spotted many otters and seals.

Seal Close Up

This one seal, beached separate from his clan, who were piled on each other, practically sinking the dock. You can tell by the tracking tag (and his behavior) that he’s spent time around humans.

We didn’t leave without my mom and I taking a picture together (with my dad behind the camera).

Mom and I In MontereyAfter our stop at the beach, we headed into Monterey itself. There, we stopped for lunch and some shopping on the pier, where we spotted this character:

Fisherman Statue MontereyAfter food, my mom and I decided to go whale watching. Unfortunately, the seas were rough, and we didn’t see any whales, but he did see more seals.

Seal on a Rock in Monterey

Before leaving the coast, I snapped a picture of a flower by the bay, at dusk.
Flower in Monterey

I look forward to returning to Monterey this summer to use the whale watching raincheck!

Break continued.

Later in the week, I decided to take my dog and camera to the beach in Half Moon Bay.

We met a lot of other dogs, including this pitbull and pomeranian. Dogs on the Beach

The day was bright, warm, and gorgeous, and made me want to never leave California- not even for a day. Like a lot of people, I have a dream of living on the beach without a care in the world.

The next day, I met with my neighbor, Kit, who has asked me to help her out with a project.

Emperor Doll

Part of that includes photographing antiques, one of which was a set of dolls from Japan made in the mid-ninteenth century. Above and below are photos of the Emperor Dolls.

Emperor Doll Two

I can’t wait to return to California for good, after I graduate from university in ten weeks!

Written From Another Airport,
Katie

2013 Takes Off

The year started off when the area had water pipe breaks. We had to evacuate campus, so I went to my aunt’s house.
It was too cold to go outside for most of the days on the long weekend, but I did manage to take a couple short walks and snap a few pictures.
Aunt Grace Mail BoxesThe following Friday, I stopped by the school’s Chili Cook Off to take some pictures.

The chefs were all more than happy to allow me to take pictures of them and their creations!

ChiliSome, even brought cornbread to enhance the dining experience.

Corn Bread
After stopping by the Chili Cook-Off, I walked around campus, and stopped by the Giant Duck.

School Duck

On Sunday, I prepared for the Super Bowl.

Me With Cupcakes
I’m from the San Francisco suburbs, so the Forty Niners are my team.

Cupcakes 3Of course the cupcakes the treats were gluten free and thanks to Betty Crocker cake mix, they turned out great and people even complemented the taste and texture instead of complaining, like they often do when they find out the food is GF.

Cupcakes 1

Although they were Niners colors and themed, they could have just as well been Gryffindor cupcakes.Cupcakes 2The Niners lost, but I guess that there’s still next year.

This week is Senior Week at Mercyhurst.

Last night, I went glow bowling with my friends.

Bowling Balls

Here, my friend Chelsee flashes a smile before bowling.Chelsee BowlingHere’s a shot of the bowling alley glowing in the dark.

Glow Bowling
Look for more photos from Mercyhurst Senior Week soon!

I’m Studying Abroad!

This term, I’m studying abroad with my school in Ireland- more specifically Dungarvan- which is in County Waterford between Dublin and Cork.

Here I am on the harbor located right outside of the downtown.

Like I’ve seen in the movies and heard about, Ireland has tons of green fields and old castles and buildings.

There’s not many old buildings in San Francisco, since they get destroyed and burnt down during earthquakes, so this I’m always fascinated by the stone structures.

Another interesting aspect of the area is that there is a river with a harbor. Before the bridges were built, people had to wait until low tide to cross the water. If you look out at the right time of day, you can see boats in the middle of water sitting on silt islands.

The people here are all friendly and my school coordinates with a local named Tom that is our tourguide through the surrounding areas. The staff at the coffee chain, Bagel Bar, already know me and my order. Even places I visit every day back home haven’t learned mine yet.

As an introduction to the area (and to keep us awake long enough to set our sleep schedules), school had us spend the day after our flight at Kilkenny Castle.

Below are shots that I took right outside of the castle in the gardens, looking out into the nearby town.

I’m anticipating all of the adventures around Ireland and other European countries, which school has planned and we’re allowed to go out on our own for the weekends.

But I can’t forget that I am on a study abroad trip.

This term, I am taking European Literature and Film and Sociology at the Mercyhurst University building in Dungarvan, as well as taking a bus with my classmates to the Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) once a week for Irish Language, Culture, and History.

On our second visit to WIT, Cadbury visited campus. They had clowns riding around on all sorts of unique machines and handing out chocolate. Here is a picture of their bug that was parked outside one of the main buildings.

Anyway, I’ll leave you with more pictures from my new home.

Until next time,
Katie