Student Stories – CSU

What can you do with a degree in graphic design?

CSU Media — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 22:31:01 +0000

Graphic Design Degree Careers

Businesses, companies, and brands all have one thing in common. They need someone to design how people can experience it. This is where graphic design comes in.

“A degree in graphic design opens the door to a wide range of creative career paths. At most liberal arts institutions, including ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Southern University, the goal is not to educate students for just one specific job but to provide a foundation that prepares them for multiple areas of the design industry. This approach allows students to explore their interests, discover their strengths, and ultimately find their niche while maintaining flexibility in their career options after graduation,”

Heather Hornbeak CSU associate professor of web design and photography

What is graphic design?

Graphic design is the art of using visuals to communicate, rather than just using words. It uses visual elements such as text, colors, and images. Graphic design is everywhere, from print ads, to websites, to content on social media. With that in mind, there are many different types of careers one can do in graphic design.

“At CSU, students gain experience in a variety of concentrations, including typography, photography, web design, printmaking, and other creative disciplines. Each area builds upon the same artistic foundations while offering unique opportunities for specialization,”

Heather Hornbeak CSU associate professor of web design and photography

So, what are some careers in graphic design?

DRAWING AND ILLUSTRATION:

A career in drawing and Illustration is probably one of the most common types of careers for graduates in graphic design. There are many types of jobs in drawing and illustration.

Graphic Designer

A graphic designer is someone who combines art and technology to communicate ideas visually. Graphic designers use things such as typography, color, layout, and more to create designs that are visually and aesthetically engaging. The designs that they make can be used for all sorts of things, like advertising, branding, digital media, print, or publishing. They make designs that are clear and pleasing to an audience.

Illustrator

An illustrator creates custom and original drawings to explain ideas, tell stories, and communicate. They use both traditional methods, such as using print with pencils or paints, as well as digital software. They also sometimes collaborate with different people, such as clients or authors who help them bring their concept to life in art.

Character Designer

A character designer is an individual who designs characters for movies, video games, animation, or comics. Just like an illustrator, they work with clients to help their character come to life visually. They focus on making the character design communicate who they are, such as their personality, background, and the role they play in the story.

Packaging Designer

A packaging designer is responsible for creating product packaging that aligns with the brand and appeals to the target audience. Essentially, they create the physical and visual suit that a product wears. They blend art with engineering, by designing boxes, bags, bottles, whatever the product needs to be packaged in. Packaging designers want to ensure that the product looks appealing on the self so more customers would buy them, while also making sure the packaging is protected during shipping. Most importantly, they make sure the packaging is clearly communicating what the product is and what it does.

Freelance Designer

A freelance designer is self-employed and gets hired by different clients. They work on a project-to-project basis, which means they are able to set their own hours and rates. “Others discover that they enjoy the flexibility and independence of freelance work, allowing them to set their own schedules, choose their clients, and work from virtually anywhere,” said Hornbeak. Freelance designers create visual material, such as logos, website layouts, and graphics.

TECHNOLOGY:

With the technology field growing bigger every day so is the graphic design part of it. Here are some careers in technology that someone in graphic design could consider:

UI/UXDesigner

A user interface designer is the digital architect. They create the visuals, look, feel, and layout of online things like websites, apps, or softwares. They use color, typography, and aesthetics to ensure that the interfaces are intuitive and visually engaging. UI designers usually work closely with UX researchers and developers to help them create the visuals. A user experience designer comes after UI. While the UI designer designs the visual, the UX designer makes sure that what they have decided is effective and user friendly.

Web Designer

A web designer does exactly what it sounds like. They create and plan the layout of websites. They ensure the website is user friendly, while also ensuring the color and aesthetics work, and that the website works for all consumers.

Multimedia Designer

A multimedia designer is an individual who uses art and technology to make engaging visual or audio content. They could add elements such as animations or graphics to whatever they are designing and can be put on platforms such as websites, social media, or digital ads. Their goal is to make consumers engage more with the brand they are designing.

Social Media Designer

A social media designer creates content for social media platforms, such as Instagram, Tik Tok, and Facebook. They create visually engaging content that is aesthetically pleasing and engaging to the eye. Their goal is to bring more awareness to the brand they are designing for, and to get more engagement on posts.

COMMUNICATION:

Graphic design offers more to communication than one would think. Here are some careers in communication:

Brand Designer

A brand designer is a professional who conveys a company’s public image. They design the brand, making sure that everything looks right, such as the logo, colors, and typography. They create the visual personality of a company. They ensure that the company looks appealing while also trustworthy to customers.

Advertising Designer

An advertising designer is someone who creates visuals to persuade people to buy a product or to notice a brand. They want consumers to take action by designing things that are visually appealing and interesting to look at. They design things such as print ads, digital ads, or ads for social media platforms to bring awareness.

MOTION GRAPHICS:

There are also careers a graphic design majors can do in motion and video. Here are some careers:

Motion Graphics Designer

A motion graphics designer is someone who brings things to life through designs, such as adding animation, audio, or visual effects. They create moving content for things such as movies, tv, websites, social media, etc.

Video Editor

A video editor is an individual who takes unedited footage and makes it into an engaging and interesting video. They cut clips, edit sound and visuals, add effects, and apply feedback from the clients to make sure the final video is exactly what they wanted.

Graphic design internships

Doing an internship as a graphic design major is a great way to get experience. Internships give hands-on experiences, mentorship, as well as collaboration skills that cannot be found in a classroom. “Students are encouraged to gain hands-on experience through internships, many of which can be completed for academic credit. These experiences provide valuable professional exposure, allow students to build their portfolios, and often serve as a pathway to future employment,” said Hornbeak. Internships can help you figure out what you want to do after you graduate.

Where will your graphic design degree take you?

According to Hornbeak, “One of the greatest strengths of a graphic design degree is its versatility. There is no single path to success. Instead, graduates can shape their careers around their interests, talents, and goals.” Graphic design offers many opportunities to turn creativity into a great and meaningful career.

Adrienne Antley, author, is an intern in the CSU Marketing & Communication Office and is a double major in communication and public health.

Learn more about Graphic Design at ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Southern.

What can you do with a music degree?

CSU Media — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 21:26:48 +0000

Music Degree Careers

Music is everywhere. Music is a form that uses melody, rhythm, and harmony to arrange sound. It tells stories, has connections to culture, and shows human expression. It allows people to communicate emotions or ideas beyond speaking.

“Brain studies indicate that music can enhance cognitive function. Many parts of the brain are activated through music,” said Jill Lewis, professor of music at CSU. ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Southern University offers six music majors: Music, Music Education, Music Therapy, Music and Worship Leadership, Performance, and most recently added, Musical Theatre.

“Being a music major equips you with important skills related to music, but also other skills including organization, time management, creative thinking, and production and design.”

Jill Lewis CSU professor of music

What are the types of careers CSU music students can pursue?

MUSIC AND WORSHIP LEADERSHIP

Music and worship leadership is a course of study that prioritizes theological faithfulness, musical excellence, and ministry experience. CSU offers three emphases in music and worship leadership: vocal, piano, and guitar. Students have many opportunities to figure out what they want to do in worship leadership. They can perform in ensembles as well as solo and chamber recitals. Students will also prepare two solo recitals and perform in the community or on trips. They are also required to do a 30-minute junior and 60-minute senior recital.

MUSIC EDCUATION

Music therapy is using music to address and accomplish a goal. It treats physical, emotional, social, and sometimes spiritual needs. Music therapy is more than just music. It uses psychology, sociology, education, criminal justice, anatomy, and physiology and more. Students will also need at least 1,200 hours of clinical experience which significantly helps in understanding music therapy.

PERFORMANCE

Performance is a degree of mastering a specific instrument or voice. CSU offers performance degrees in vocal, instrumental, and piano. Just as for all the other types of music, students have many opportunities to figure out what they want to do in performance. Students will participate in studio study, as well as performing in performances and recitals. Performance at CSU helps students understand music from a Christian perspective, and it guides them to develop what musical potential they have at its fullest.

MUSICAL THEATRE

Musical theatre is a form of live performance that tells a story through acting, dialogue, singing, and dancing. The music and dancing are integrated into the plot of the show, and it is used to show character emotions. Musical theatre majors get many opportunities to figure out what they want to do in musical theatre. At CSU, there are two main productions each academic year in the Lightsey Chapel. Students will also have the chance to participate in a Black Box production. Weekly voice lessons help expand knowledge in musical theatre, and students gain experience on how to perform and gain understanding for every aspect of theatre by hands-on experience and engagement.

“Hiring a music major means you are working with someone accustomed to actively thinking at a high level and able to perform under pressure.”

Jill Lewis CSU professor of music

What careers are available with each music major?

MUSIC EDUCATION

Interested in teaching music? Music education is just that. This major combines music classes with education classes, getting students prepared to teach music in schools. However, music education is not limited to teaching music in a school. There’s directing, working in a private institution, working as a music tutor, or even working with military bands or as a music librarian.

MUSIC THERAPY

The most common career for this major is a board-certified music therapist. There are many different types of therapy a music therapist can work in. A clinical music therapist works in general or psychiatric hospitals, as well as rehabilitation centers, substance abuse programs, etc. They use music to improve a patient’s physical, emotional, cognitive, and sometimes spiritual well-being. They also can work in
end-of-life care such as home care or hospice to help patients manage pain, grief, and anxiety. Some work in special education, which collabs with schools and child life departments to help children who may have developmental delays or behavior challenges. There are private institutions one can work in, such as working in an independent studio offering lessons or working at community workshops.

MUSIC AND WORSHIP LEADERSHIP

Most careers involve working in a church. Some careers include worship pastors or leaders, who direct the worship part of services. There are choir directors who manage the church music programs. There are also behind-the-scenes careers, such as creative art directors or technical directors.

PERFORMANCE

Depending on what one studies in performance, there are a variety of careers. For both vocal and instrumental, there are orchestra or jazz musicians, opera singers, theatre pit musicians, and event performers. Some people in performance also branch out to teaching or conducting, or even music therapy. Locally, they can perform in places such as North ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Pops, Piccolo Spoleto, and the ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Jazz Orchestra. Some CSU faculty members have recorded professional records and received grammy nominations.

MUSICAL THEATRE

Musical theatre can go far beyond Broadway. There are other careers such as performing in a local theater, directors, music directors, choreographers, production, stage managers, sound designers, lighting designers, casting directors, talent agents, and more. Locally, there are many opportunities such as teaching with local musical theatre centers, schools, and other theater/arts organizations.

Where will your music degree take you?

While having a music degree is a lot of performing, it goes deeper than that. Students develop creativity and thinking skills, or as Lewis said, the ability to perform under pressure. There are several different types of careers one can do, proving that music is more than just singing; it’s a way of living.

Adrienne Antley, author, is an intern in the CSU Marketing & Communication Office and is a double major in communication and public health.

Learn more about Horton School of Music and Performing Arts at ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Southern.

What can you do with a psychology degree?

CSU Media — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 17:33:58 +0000

Psychology Degree Careers

Having a psychology degree is often misunderstood. Most people think that it is just a path to a graduate school, but it is more than that. It is a staple for careers, especially careers that use communication, problem solving, research, and understanding the behavior of humans. A bachelor’s in psychology opens many doors.

Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. It examines how a person thinks, feels, and acts. It answers the why behind what we do. The goal is to describe, explain, and predict to try to improve human purpose.

“Psychology leads to working with anything human, which includes, of course, counseling, but also includes human resources, criminal justice and forensics, and research relating to human development, growth, and flourishing.”

Christina Sinisi CSU department chair of psychology

What can you do with a degree in psychology?

So, what are some careers one can do with a bachelor’s in psychology? “There are so many things one can do with a degree in psychology,” said Sinisi.

HUMAN RESOURCES:

Working in human resources is a good career for recent psychology graduates because it centers on human behavior, emotions, and interactions.

Human Resources Manager

Human resource managers direct administrative tasks and functions for corporations across the globe. They manage the people side of the business. They do the hiring, payroll, employee benefits, resolve conflict, and more. They plan, coordinate, and direct the functions of a company or an organization.

Human Resources Specialist

While a human resource manager manages a bit of everything, a Human Resource Specialist only focuses on one specific field. They do the same things a human resource manager would do but focuses on a specific field or domain

Training and Development Coordinator

A training and development coordinator is a company’s organizational educator. Responsibilities include teaching staff new skills, organizing learning programs for companies, and sometimes leading training sessions.

CRISIS AND SOCIAL TRAUMA WORK:

Crisis and trauma social work professionals work alongside first responders and emergency forces to provide immediate care and support for individuals experiencing crisis.

Crisis Hotline Counselor

A crisis hotline counselor is a trained listener who will provide confidential and immediate emotional support to someone who is overwhelmed, distressed, or having thoughts of suicide. They can help calm an individual, give coping strategies, and connect with local help. They are judgment free people who will let people talk about what is bothering them. They will make sure the person is safe and will help de-escalate the situation. They also will offer advice, suggest tips, and can refer an individual to resources or therapists if needed.

Case Manager

A case manager can act as a guide. They assess someone’s needs and will connect someone with the resources they need. Case managers help others get the proper support that they need.

Victim Advocate

A victim advocate is someone who supports those who have been affected by crime or trauma. Just like a case manager, they act as a guide and help victims understand what their legal rights are, help them navigate the confusing court system, and help them access resources if needed such as an emergency shelter, counseling, and compensation. They provide a safe, nonjudgemental space to talk and help them process things.

EDUCATION:

While being a guidance counselor or a child psychologist requires having a master’s or more, there are still quite a few careers in education someone with a psychology degree can pursue.

Academic Advisor

An academic advisor helps students figure out what classes they need to take to graduate, keeps them on track with degree requirements and can connect someone to campus resources if needed.

Career Counselor

By furthering one’s education, one can become a licensed counselor. However, one can still have a career in counseling with a bachelor’s. For example, a career counselor advises students on career opportunities, assists with resume writing, and administrates personality or interest assessments.

Registered Behavior Technician

A Registered Behavior Technician works with the supervision of a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst. They work with children, specifically children who may have behavior or developmental disabilities to navigate life. They teach them life skills, help build their communication, and work on decreasing bad behaviors. Becoming a missionary in a Spanish-speaking country or in a primarily Spanish-speaking area in the U.S could be a great career for those who are looking to integrate their faith into their job.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE:

There are several paths a graduate in psychology can take in the criminal justice field, since most of the roles involve having a deep understanding of human behavior.

Probation/Parole Officer

A probation or parole officer supervises individuals who have been convicted of a crime, allowing them to live in the community rather than serving time in jail or prison. They meet regularly with the individual to track their progress, as well as conducting home and workplace visits, administering drug tests, and making sure that the individual is following all court-ordered rules.

Correctional Case Manager

A correctional case manager works in prisons to assess inmates’ mental health needs. They assist with their rehabilitation and prepare them as they re-enter society. They are the connection between the prisoners and staff.

Juvenile Justice Counselor

A juvenile justice counselor, or a corrections case worker, is someone who guides juveniles who have broken the law. They help the teens understand why they got into trouble, teach them better decision-making skills, and help them steer toward a more successful future. They also provide counseling to help youths address any trauma or anger.

Where will your psychology degree take you?

Getting a bachelor’s in psychology is more than just a steppingstone to graduate school. It is a great and versatile degree that can lead to many great careers in human resources, criminal justice, education, and much more not listed here. It is more than just studying how people think and behave, it is learning skills that almost any workplace values

Classes one would take include General Psychology, Intro to Behavior Statistics, Child Psychology, Intro to Counseling, and more.

Adrienne Antley, author, is an intern in the CSU Marketing & Communication Office and is a double major in communication and public health.

Learn more about Psychology at ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Southern.

What can you do with a Spanish degree?

CSU Media — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 16:58:40 +0000

Spanish Degree Careers

Spanish is needed now more than ever. In today’s world, it is an essential tool for communication, education, as well as missions. “Hispanics make up 20% of the U.S; population and 8% of the population of S.C., so a degree in Spanish would not only make you more valuable and marketable in many careers; it is quickly becoming a necessity in many fields,” explains Andrew Tabor, instructor of Spanish at ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Southern University.

Having a degree in Spanish opens up a world of possibilities.

“In addition to supplementing and supporting all other degree programs, a degree in Spanish offers students the opportunity to strengthen interpersonal, social, and cross-cultural skills.”

Hannah Sullivan CSU chair and assistant professor of Spanish

What can you do with a degree in Spanish?

Let’s break down some of these careers:

TRANSLATOR

By far one of the most needed jobs in Spanish is translating. “If the student achieves a high level of fluency, there is legal/court, document, medical/health fields, and other forms of in-person and online translation opportunities,” said Tabor.

TOUR GUIDE

Especially in the ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ area, being fluent in Spanish as a tour guide could be beneficial. There’s always a need for tour guides in the historic parts of ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ and with the Hispanic population growing every day, you can help people who only speak Spanish understand ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ better.

TRANSCRIPTIONIST

A transcriptionist is someone who listens to audio and then translates it for Spanish-speaking people. Or vice versa, you can translate Spanish audio into English for English-speaking people. This career could be in a courtroom, hospital, business, or a church.

OUTREACH COORDINATOR

People who only speak Spanish might sometimes feel like an outsider in a predominately English-speaking community. Having someone who speaks Spanish can make them feel more at home.

INTERPRETER

An interpreter is someone who interprets to other people what someone is saying. Just like a transcriptionist, it could be from Spanish to English, or English to Spanish. This career could also be in places like a courtroom, hospital, business, or a church.

EDUCATOR

As Sullivan said, a degree in Spanish can lead you to working in the school system. “Students can use this degree along with certifications in education to teach Spanish at the elementary and high school levels. They can also teach English as a Second Language courses in those same institutions, in community centers, or with governmental agencies,” said Tabor. He explained, some careers do need more certification; however, there are careers in the education system that you can get with a bachelor’s degree.

ESL TEACHER

An ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher uses both English and Spanish to communicate. While the teacher is teaching the students English, sometimes talking to them in Spanish can help them feel more comfortable and allow connection with them. This career is not just in schools, as Tabor explained. It can be in community centers and governmental agencies.

TUTOR

This is a good career if you want to help students more individually. By becoming a Spanish tutor, you have the opportunity to help students who may be struggling in Spanish. Or you could tutor Spanish-speaking students who are struggling with learning English.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SERVICES PROFESSIONAL

If you don’t want to teach but still do something in education, working with international students could be a way to go. You can help international students adjust by helping them connect with other students. It also helps the student feel more at home knowing there is someone who understands them.

MISSIONS

If you are someone who wants to share your faith with Spanish-speaking people, working in missions might be for you. A missionary is someone who spreads their faith by evangelizing and teaching the gospel to those around them. A missionary can be anywhere, from your hometown to a different country. They focus on helping others understand what the gospel is and how it can change their life.

Becoming a missionary in a Spanish-speaking country or in a primarily Spanish-speaking area in the U.S could be a great career for those who are looking to integrate their faith into their job.

“I went on a mission trip to Guatemala with my church my junior year of high school, and after this trip I knew that Spanish was the path and major for me.”

Ashlyn Margolis CSU Spanish major

Where will your Spanish degree take you?

“Getting a degree in Spanish at CSU prepares you for a wide variety of careers or can also better prepare you to get a position where the language is not the main goal, but knowing Spanish would be a true asset,” says Andrew Tabor, CSU Instructor of Spanish.

“One of the reasons that I chose Spanish was that obviously the Lord called me to it, but another reason was that I had the ability to help a lot of people.”

Ashlyn Margolis CSU Spanish major

Adrienne Antley, author, is an intern in the CSU Marketing & Communication Office and is a double major in communication and public health.

Learn more about Spanish at ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Southern.

What can you do with a public health degree?

CSU Media — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 13:22:23 +0000

Public Health Degree Careers

When people hear “public health” their mind usually goes to a disease outbreak or something to do with hospitals. However, it is much more than that. Over the last few years, public health has become more important than ever. From recovering from a worldwide pandemic, to advocating for awareness in mental health, professionals in public health play a major role every day. But many people still don’t realize just how flexible a public health degree can be.

However, it is important to know the definition of public health before knowing what someone can do with a public health degree. In simple terms, public health is protecting people and improving the health of people.

“At its core, public health is about preventing problems before they happen, improving community well-being, and addressing the systems that shape health whether that’s education, housing, policy, or access to care.”

Dr. Lisa Bryant CSU instructor of public health

A public health degree can open doors to many different types of careers.

What can you do with a degree in public health?

RESEARCHER

Research in Public Health is essential because it can start an evidence based approach to preventing diseases, promoting wellness as well as extending life expectancy. Research can provide necessary data for organizations to develop more effective health policies. It can also prevent a disease from spreading as researchers can study how the disease spreads and identify risk factors associated with it. Epidemiology is very important in research, as epidemiologists study the “who, what, and where” of health and diseases. Some other jobs in research include biostatisticians, environmental health scientists, and health policy analysts.

EDUCATOR

Educating people on the importance of health is very important because it can raise awareness in individuals. People in health education can provide the information that can equip individuals to make informed decisions about their health, as well as preventing disease though behavioral changes, and can lessen the pressure on healthcare systems. In this career, professionals develop and implement programs that teach the public about nutrition, disease and healthier lifestyles. Health education specialists work in places such as schools, hospitals, workplaces or public health agencies. By helping individuals get the resources they need, it can promote long term health improvements.

COMMUNITY SUPPORTER

In the world of public health, community is very important. It shifts its focus from treatment of individuals to population level prevention, guaranteeing that health treatments or remedies are relevant, sustainable and adapted to the populations need.

A good example of a community would be a nonprofit. A nonprofit organization is a business operation for a charitable, education, or social cause rather than to make a profit. In terms of public health, it is designed to improve health around the community, can promote health equity, and address social factors or causes of health rather than generate profit for owners. A nonprofit can establish clinics, mobile units, and programs to help communities that might not have access to good healthcare. Some nonprofits offer screenings and vaccinations that might not be accessible in a specific community.

Where will your public health degree take you?

Dr. Byrant explains that “The key with a public health degree is to align your personal interests. Whether that is a love for data, community work, global health, policy, these passions will help guide which niche area you will pursue.” So if you are interested in helping people make better decisions, a health educator might be the career for you. If you are interested in learning more about diseases and trying to prevent them, being in research might be the career for you.

“This degree gives you a flexible foundation that truly grows with your interests and experiences over time.”

Dr. Lisa Bryant CSU instructor of public health

Adrienne Antley, author, is an intern in the CSU Marketing & Communication Office and is a double major in communication and public health.

Learn more about Public Health at ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Southern.

What can you do with a communication degree?

CSU Media — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 16:44:16 +0000

Communication Degree Careers

A communication degree is one of the most flexible degrees a student can earn, yet many people still don’t realize how many career paths it can lead to. Communication is an emerging and exciting industry with a wide variety of career choices. Communication skills can be applied in almost every career, so having a degree in communication will be useful no matter what career you pursue.

“Communication was perfect because you can explore many different sides of multimedia, and it helps you to learn yourself in the process.”

Alana Lowery 2026 CSU communication graduate

To start: what is communication? Communication is a program that teaches you how to convey information through verbal, written, and digital channels.

What can you do with a degree in communication?

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Public relations, or PR, is the process of managing how a brand, person, or organization is viewed by the public. It involves strategic communication as well as relationship building. Through managing the media and effectively communicating, you can build a positive reputation with the person or brand. People in public relations work everywhere, from a small company to being a manager for a celebrity. “I chose to go into communication because I was very passionate about fashion and beauty, so I want to do something that fell in the PR and media side of things,” said Lowery.

There are two public relations classes offered this fall at CSU, taught by professors Tiffany Norton-Cornette and Chelsea Eddington.

MARKETING

Marketing is the process of getting people interested in a product or service. It is about connecting the right thing to the right person. You figure out what customers want, create an offer, and then communicate the message to build more trust and to drive sales.

There are four core goals in marketing: awareness, interest, desire, and action. Awareness is getting people to notice you or your brand. Interest is showing the people why they should buy or use this brand. Desire is trying to convince them that the brand you are selling is better than the other brands. Action is giving them a very clear and easy way to make a purchase. There are different types of marketing, such as digital marketing, content, and influencer.

JOURNALISM

Journalism is the process of gathering, verifying, and reporting news and information to the public. It is an exciting field that focuses on current events and global issues. A person in journalism is expected to provide an audience with accurate and objective facts so they can make informed decisions about their daily lives, communities, and society.

Some common types of journalism are hard news, which is more urgent, and accurate reporting on current events. There’s also human interest, which is aimed more at entertainment and lifestyle rather than breaking events. There is also opinion and columns, which give a specific perspective on something. CSU offers multiple classes with journalism aspects, such as Media Writing, Mass Media, Editing, and Multimedia Production.

HUMAN RESOURCES

Human resources, or HR, is a department in a company that is responsible for managing everything that is related to the employees. They make the company a safe, fair, and productive work environment. It includes working with people and solving problems. HR is sometimes considered the employee lifestyle. In specific companies, they do the hiring, the training, the pay, the benefits, and much more.

Dr. Dawn Casas teaches a class called Interpersonal Communication, which teaches students about different types of communication across the world, which would be very helpful for human resources.

SOCIAL MEDIA & CONTENT CREATOR

Communication majors make excellent social media managers. Working in social media has a lot of paths. A social media manager is the voice of a brand online. They are responsible for creating content, interacting with followers, as well as managing a company’s presence across social media platforms. Their goal is to grow an audience and build a positive reputation.

Some of the work that social media managers do is content creation, scheduling and posting, interacting with followers, and tracking their performance. CSU offers a social media class taught by Professor Chelsea Eddington. This class teaches you how to post on social media in order to get engagement by others.

Where will your communication degree take you?

These are just a few of the careers that would be fitting for communication majors. There are many more careers that are not listed here, proving that communication students have so much to choose from.

“Communication, it’s so broad, you can do about anything.”

Alana Lowery 2026 CSU communication graduate

Adrienne Antley, author, is an intern in the CSU Marketing & Communication Office and is a double major in communication and public health.

Learn more about Communication at ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Southern.

Tahou Takes Sixth in Triple Jump at NCAA Championships and Earns First-Team All-American Honors for Second Time in Week

CSU Media — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 14:18:16 +0000

Tahou Shines at NCAA Championships

ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Southern’s Maeva Tahou concluded her trip to the NCAA Championships, in
Eugene, Oregon, on June 13 in the triple jump and marked her second First-Team All-
American performance of the week as she accomplished the feat in the long jump June 11
as well. She jumped 13.44m in the triple jump to claim sixth overall nationally.

Tahou started her series with a pair of 13.35m for a new personal best and had the mark
already clear her for the finals. She fouled on her second attempt and then got even better
on the third with a 13.38m. On her fourth she had a 13.03m and then went for a day’s best
of 13.44 on the fifth to move her up the leaderboard one last time before fouling on her
sixth. The mark ranks as a new personal best, school record, and conference record.

At the conclusion of the NCAA Championships, ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Southern finishes with seven
team points to tie for 35th overall in the nation. Each of these ranks are the fourth-best in
league history and the best by any current member in the Big South.

Historic Success for ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Southern Buccaneers

This concludes a historic week for Tahou and the Buccaneers. She becomes a two-time
First-Team All-American, the first in program history for an individual event. Additionally,
each of these finishes marks the highest-ever in any event in program history. The only
other time CSU scored points at the NCAA Championship came in 2009 when the 4x100m
relay squad claimed eighth in the finals.

Learn More about ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Southern Athletics.

Harrison is two-time national winner in clay target

CSU Media — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 18:14:10 +0000

At the 2026 ACUI (Association of College Unions International, Clay Target) National Championship in San Antonio, Texas, Ella Grace Harrison earned the title of national runner-up in Class C skeet, adding another milestone to her clay target career. In 2025, Ella Grace Harrison was the national champion in Class C trap. Harrison’s talent and dedication continue to pay off.

A sophomore criminal justice major from Winnsboro, South Carolina, Harrison has worked her whole life at developing her skills in clay target. Now, an impactful part of her college experience has been competing on CSU’s clay target team.

Harrison said her introduction to clay target began with family at a very young age. She has spent much time outdoors fishing, hunting, and shooting with her father. Harrison’s dad, Hank Harrison, has played a major role in her growth in the sport, even coaching her team in the past. “He has been a huge inspiration to me,” she said.

This has been a competitive sport for Harrison since middle school, and she became a state champion in high school. She appreciates all her coaches, and they have helped her strengthen her skills in the sport.

Harrison said that CSU Coach Thomas Cousins is an amazing coach and is always there for Harrison and her teammates when they need him.

Competing at the national level, Harrison explained that the targets are more difficult, and everyone at the competition shoots phenomenally and has rightfully earned their place with hard work. Harrison enjoys being able to be out there and seeing those that she has formed meaningful bonds with through the community of clay target over the years.

Harrison is dedicated at practice and appreciates the competitive aspect of clay targets. Working as a team is also a large part of the sport.

“You have to rely on your teammates. If you’re having a bad day, you have to work to bring each other up.”

Ella Grace Harrison Sophomore Criminal Justice Major

Harrison loves her sport and appreciates the mental resilience it has given her. This resilience overflows into her discipline in classes, and she is always striving to be the best she can be academically as well.

“I’ve always loved being outdoors and appreciate the mental part of it. It teaches you to not only thrive under that pressure, but to push through when things get tough,” she explained.

Kaylee Allen, author, is an intern in the CSU Marketing & Communication Office and is majoring in communication.

Learn more about Athletics at ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Southern University.

Buc News Network aims to inform, inspire, and influence

CSU Media — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 15:31:40 +0000

ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Southern has an exciting relaunch of a student-run media network bringing together students with a variety of majors and skill sets to help strengthen the CSU community through news and social media.

Allie Bryant, the chief editor of BucNews Network, gave a behind the scenes look at the mission of this project, what they aim to achieve, and opportunities to get involved.

“Our mission is to inform, inspire, and influence,” said Bryant.

BucNews aims to give students both hands-on experience and community. The Network is run by five editors and journalism students who cover the stories. They cover campus events and topics, spotlight students, and dive into diﬀerent niches to oﬀer something for everyone.

In addition to publishing network articles, there is social media content, videos, and podcasts. The team is also in the process of developing a docuseries and hopes to collaborate with graphic design students in the near future.

In the digital age, it is important to be able to build community with students both in person and online. BucNews creates more opportunities to connect and collaborate through the network.

As for content, BucNews aims to post a weekly newscast, social media content three times a week, two podcast episodes every month, and one Bucs in Focus (docuseries) every month.

Much hard work has gone into BucNews thus far, and the team of students is passionate about it and excited for it to grow more.

Bryant is a current senior communication major with a political science minor, graduating this semester. However, before she graduates, she, along with the team, has worked hard to build the foundation of BucNews in order to relaunch it this fall.

BucNews is open to any students interested and wanting to get involved. There is something for everyone’s major or interest, and a place at BucNews.

“Students are seen, heard and valued in whatever position they want, or even if it’s just to test the waters, they are welcome,” said Bryant.

BucNews network is a way for students to not only get hands-on experience but also to express creativity while staying true to ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Southern, and of course above all else, to God.

Below are the BucNews Network links to access content as well as a link for students interested in joining.

Buc News Student Media

Launch Pad for a Life on Mission

Audra Bergevin — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 19:30:00 +0000

CSU Students Serving in Utah with GenSend

Kate Saunders watched out the plane window in anticipation as she got closer to Salt Lake City. She had served there the summer of 2023 with GenSend, a North American Mission Board program that sends young adults to gospel-hungry locations in partnership with church plants across the country. She was returning for spring break, and she could not have been more excited to return to the people and place she had grown to love so dearly. “I’ve never felt this sense of homecoming before,” she remembers. This feeling of belonging, community, and evangelistic purpose compelled Saunders to commit to Utah as her new home after her graduation with a degree in business administration in December 2024.

Her two summers serving with Redemption Church North Davis in Kaysville, Utah, challenged her conceptions of what serving the local church, sharing the gospel, and living on mission should look like for a believer. God used these experiences to call her into an exciting new stage of ministry. Her confidence in God’s plan for her life is clear: “Even with fear of the unknown, you never doubt it’s the right decision.”

She first heard about the opportunities with GenSend through a CSU chapel where another student who had been to Utah with the program, Mariah Gonzalez ’23, shared her story. Afterward, Saunders went to a lunch held for those interested. She had never been on a formal mission trip before, but she was curious about using her summer for ministry.

Jake Thompson also spent the past two summers in Utah with GenSend. He and Saunders were on the same team in Kaysville their first year, and he was on a team in Ogden this past summer. He has a similar story of how he got connected with the trip. Through talking with Gonzalez, as well as receiving encouragement from others in his life, he took the plunge and joined the team. “I’m an adventurer,” Thompson said. “I love to see new places and have new experiences.”

Preparation before the summer included both GenSend-wide training and meetings with their specific teams. The first year, Saunders was on a team of 10, with seven students from CSU, allowing most of the group to meet on campus during the spring semester. Her team this past year included eight students, with six from CSU, and Thompson’s included six, with four from CSU. This on-campus preparation began developing the relationships that would be further strengthened through serving together.

Once the students arrived in Utah, they spent two days of intensive training in Salt Lake City, discussing the unique cultural and religious context they found themselves in. Team members learned more about the Church of the Latter-Day Saints, whose members comprise a large portion of those living in Utah.

According to pastor of Redemption Church Ogden, Bobby Wood, “Utah is the most lost state in the nation with 98% of the resident population of the state being nonbelievers. Many of our communities have no evangelical churches or maybe a few, so the need for the gospel is great.” Wood is a member of CSU’s Board of Trustees.

Saunders and Thompson note the independence GenSend encourages within its training model. Leaders and local pastors give students guidance, but there’s no handholding involved. “You’re basically given a map, a Bible, and you’re parachuted down into a place. That’s really it. [But] you’re not alone: you have a team of college students,” Thompson explains. The experience pushes students in their faith, their teamwork abilities, and their skills in adapting to new situations. “Every day you’re learning something new,” said Saunders.

Each day looked different, Saunders said, but the weeks followed a set rhythm. The team used a thirds model to manage their time: two-thirds of the day for planned ministry, one-third for rest. This structure allowed for dedicated time to spend with the Lord and recharge, as well as providing lots of time to spend in hands-on missions and pursuing relationships with locals. About three evenings of the week, the team hosted community nights — featuring board games, worship, dinner, or heading to a nearby park. These fun evenings met a real need for young adults looking for fellowship.

During the week, Saunders and Thompson also had one-on-one conversations with their new friends to share a soda and dive into deeper, faith-related topics. Sundays were spent serving the church plant, helping services to run smoothly and completing any team planning for the week ahead. Through this structure, GenSend participants could focus on their two aims for the summer, said Thompson: reaching the community with the gospel and serving the local church plant.

The daily life on mission emphasis of GenSend has made a lasting impact. For Saunders, her former perception of missions as primarily an overseas issue and “a courageous calling very few people did” shifted. Now, she confidently says, “If you are a believer, you are a missionary.” No matter where you find yourself geographically, what job you hold, or what abilities and gifts you have, if you are in Christ, you are called to make disciples. Saunders was able to use her business knowledge to help with administrative tasks at her GenSend church.

“When we live out the gospel, they can see it in our life,” Thompson said. For him, this looked like talking to the regulars he encountered throughout the week — the bus driver, the restaurant employee, and the parents at the park he saw frequently and began getting to know.

During his first summer, the team developed a relationship with their bus driver, and they were able to have great conversations with him, invite him to church, and pray with him. “Everything you do is a gospel opportunity,” Thompson said, and the need for people to see loving, faithful Christ followers is real. “They want to know where you get this love, how you find purpose.”

The context of the LDS culture gives asking questions a very different meaning than in the Southern Bible Belt context. Saunders walked one new friend through her questioning of the LDS church she had grown up in, and the young woman ultimately decided to put her faith in Christ. Saunders said that those in the LDS Church are taught not to ask questions or challenge authority, yet as a Christian herself, she knows she can ask challenging questions and find answers in Scripture. “I don’t have to live in fear of ‘don’t ask that question.’” Saunders’s faith grew through her conversations with this friend, particularly as she had to lean on her knowledge of Scripture to find answers to difficult questions.

The LDS context also gives choosing to follow Christ a very different sense of weightiness. Thompson explains that in Utah following Jesus and getting baptized makes a statement that radically changes everything, even meaning that you jeopardize going back to friends and family. For those they met and talked with, counting the cost of accepting the gospel was a significant step.

The unity of the team demonstrated Christ’s love for the community — and blessed its members richly. Serving one another, spending a lot of time together, and even being the only other believers around brought the team closer. “The unity in that taught me about the heart of Christ,” Saunders said. Her reliance on the team was cemented when she found herself in the hospital at one point, and they were there for her the entire time, stepping in as family when her own were thousands of miles away. The bonds forged over the summer have continued.

This unity also allows for growth in humility. Saunders says that spending so much time together shows you your own selfishness. The team took to heart the saying “I am 10th” — a reminder to put fellow team members first in every moment of the day. The personal growth through these challenges and the work of the Holy Spirit through the team’s unity was a testimony to those they encountered. “They kept noting how it was strange, the love we had for each other,” Thompson said of the community nights. “They saw our sacrifice for each other.”

In living and ministering in a heavily LDS-shaped culture, these living examples serve as crucial pointers to the gospel. For those still in the LDS church, “it’s hard to make the distinction between LDS and Christianity,” Thompson said. “We can be saying ‘Jesus’ and it means two different things.” Despite surface-level similarities, the core differences in theology are significant, and quickly arise after a conversation longer than a few minutes. Thompson said that many in the LDS church have been taught that any opposition to their views is spiritually derived, a test to their faith from the enemy.

Yet within this unique, even challenging context, God is working mightily in the hearts and lives of individuals. Thompson told the story of a 4th of July barbecue he was invited to by a new friend. This friend was rejected by the LDS church for his lifestyle, as were many of the others there. There’s something so special about sharing a meal and the hospitality of bringing someone into your home.” Thompson got to share the gospel, and there was an attentive interest in the Jesus he described. He was not a Savior who said to them, “Who you are could never be saved” or “Your only hope is to submit to these rules.”

“Jesus frees us rather than binds us to a new set of laws,” said Thompson. This gospel freedom hits a different note after hearing the message of the LDS church. While Thompson acknowledges it was hard to digest for some that night, others were genuinely intrigued.

Saunders and Thompson are enthusiastic about continuing to live on mission, whether in Utah as Saunders plans or in an international setting as Thompson does.

Saunders’ advice to those interested in GenSend is straightforward: “Do it.” She acknowledges the heftiness of the undertaking (in terms of both time and finances) but she affirms relying on God’s faithfulness and provision. What’s at stake is too valuable to overlook: “People need to know Him, and no one’s out there to do it,” she said. She points to Matthew 9:37-38, a key verse in considering the mission field in Utah.

CSU Students on Summer 2024 GenSend Utah Team

Grady Bingham
Anna Blaser
Ashlyn Bowers
Griffin Gillespie
Anthony Jozwick
Bryson McLemore
Katelyn Saunders
Jacob Thompson
Allison Wade
Corey Wade