Hey it's nice to meet ya!
I studied the discipline of Communication at Wayne State University with a minor in Public Relations. I originally started with Journalism but realized Communication and Public Relations is where my heart lied. Growing up, I was always fascinated with the way people of different backgrounds would interact with each other. I, also, have always loved writing, and I journal from time to time.
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Both of my parents are Lebanese and I essentially was raised in two worlds, the Arab world and the American one. When you grow up in two completely different cultures, you learn at a very young age how to adapt yourself to both with the best of your ability. The ability to adapt to multiple cultures that I learned along the way was made possible by my own communication skills. With this, I have gained a deeper understanding of how and why people receive and process information differently than others. Culturally, as an example, Arabs are incredibly loud people (we always sound like we are yelling in any setting), whereas people from The United States are loud, but use their volume in specific settings. Understanding differences in cultural communication patterns helped me gain insight into the two cultures that I belong to. I personally define communication studies as giving, or receiving information, in an act to further understand different people or media platforms; such as: culture, race, gender, ethnicity, and other forms of self-identity.
Why Communication?
Communication studies applied in professional settings is incredibly important. There are theories of communication that only take place in work settings. Like, Organizational Communication, which focuses on the structure of communication in a work environment. Organizational Communication helps employees and employers develop helpful work tactics, like listening to one another or maintaining an open mind with your peers. This allows people to feel their voices are heard and to truly gain an understanding of where their peers are maybe coming from. There are different branches of organization communication like: internal and external communication, formal and informal communication, and much more. Throughout my undergraduate experience, I have learned all of these tools from classroom and extracurricular settings.
Another photo of one my littles and I after Big Little Reveal.
Photo of one of my sorority sister for our publicity shoot.
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Being in a sorority, as an example, has really helped me hone my communication skills and apply the different theories into real life settings. Specifically, always maintaining an open mind, understanding what my peers are articulating to me, and a keeping a neutral voice when situations would get heated in sorority settings. I have learned how to formally and effectively discuss information with others, whether it be through email or face-to-face.
I hope to use my skills in the entertainment industry. My verbal communication skills have always been my strong suit. In the realm of entertainment, it is important to exude verbal confidence while showcasing the assurance in my personality and decisions. Having my minor in public relations will be useful because it has taught me how to write and work in the public, while maintaining a positive outlook on my organization and presenting it as such. With that, I know that I could have great success in the industry due to my open mind, confidence, and ability to create a connection with anyone that I meet.
Overall...
As someone who grew up in two vastly different cultures, I found it surprisingly easy to drift away when needed. Specifically, I turned towards my love of reading and listening to music. You will never not see a day where I leave my house without either: a book in my hand, my headphones, or both. I love all different types of genres that each outlet offers to me, which is why I strongly hold an open mind when speaking to people from different backgrounds. All of my experiences factored into my decision to study the discipline of communication as my field of choice.
Photo of me taken on my campus representing my people!
Education
August 2016 - December 2020
Wayne State University