Where Are They Now? Alumni Jaclyn Beasley ’14

Jaclyn Beasley ’14

Age: 22Hometown: Berlin, NJHC Bloom position: Social Media Co-Director & ContributorGrad school program: College Student Affairs

Her Campus: What made you decide to continue on to grad school?Jaclyn Beasley: I never imagined myself continuing my education past my bachelor’s degree so I really surprised myself. In my undergrad (Communication Studies) we are required to do an internship and I did mine with the Orientation Office here at BU and fell in love with the work that I was doing.

HC: Why did you choose to stay in Bloomsburg?JB: I did my internship I was working for Kristin Austin and she had such great things to say about the College Student Affairs program here that I didn’t even consider any other place. I’m really glad I stayed though because I have had great experiences so far and have made really amazing connections.

HC: What are you hoping to accomplish in your career with a graduate degree?JB: Overall, I enjoy working with new and/or academically struggling students. I still have a passion for orientation because I love the event planning aspect of it and working with new students. Currently, I am the Graduate Assistant in University Tutorial Services which has opened my eyes to the academic side of things which I have really grown to like as well. Hopefully, I’ll end up working in one of those two areas.

HC: What advice would you give to those thinking about applying to grad school?JB: Know when you are ready. For myself, I had to continue right after undergrad because it would have been a lot harder for me to stop school and then go back. For others though, I have heard that the break after undergrad was good for them. It’s definitely a lot of work so knowing when you are ready to handle that work load will be really useful. I just think a Master’s is a great thing to have. More and more people seem to be getting their Bachelor’s degrees that it’s nice to be able to have a Master’s degree to stand out.

HC: Did anything surprise you about the grad school experience?JB: Besides the fact that I decided to go? Haha. I was expecting a larger workload but you never really, fully understand what you’re getting into until you’re there – so I was a little surprised by the amount of time I needed to devote to classwork outside of the actual classes. Luckily, I am in a great program and everyone is so willing to help each other out that the surprises I have encountered, I have been helped through.

HC: In what ways does grad school differ from undergrad?JB: My undergrad studies were in Communication Studies & Information and Technology Management. I’m really not doing anything similar to ITM. With Communication Studies, you write a lot of papers…you still do this in grad school but on a much larger scale. The papers are longer and the research is more in depth. Although there is a lot more research involved, I research things that I am truly interested in rather than things I am just assigned. I think my background in interpersonal communication definitely helped me with a smooth transition into the College Student Affairs program.

HC: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?JB: Well, I’m graduating in December and I’m already freaking out because I don’t know where I want to live so thinking about 10 years down the road really scares me! Haha. I just really hope to be healthy and surrounded by loving and supportive family and friends. Hopefully I will have a family of my own and a job that I enjoy.  

HC: If you won the lottery, what would you do with your winnings?JB: Wow, I really don’t know. I probably wouldn’t tell anyone besides my family. I think I’d save some for my family and myself but give most to people and places that could really use it like homeless shelters and orphanages.