Hi, visitor! My name is Angela and I am currently enrolled in the Lifespan and Digital Communications Masters Program at Old Dominion University. I am in my first semester, so it’s been a little overwhelming to balance work, school, and personal life. But I’m really excited about the journey ahead and the opportunity to dive deeper into how digital communication impacts individuals across different stages of life. I have spent a majority of my career in the social media/marketing/communications field across a variety of industries (tourism, food, clothing, audiology, education, and government), so I find the topics incredibly relevant to my line of work.

I am currently taking COMM 521 (Communication and Conflict Management), which has been eye-opening for me in regard to how I was taught to approach and handle conflict. I don’t want to get too personal about it, but the course has encouraged me to reflect on my own communication habits and consider more constructive ways to navigate difficult conversations. It has already given me tools and perspectives that I can see being useful both professionally and personally.

I am also taking COMM 623 (Relational Communication Across the Lifespan) and I find the content interesting, especially in learning all the theories behind the things I’ve viewed as common knowledge. This is my first 600-level class, and I’m excited to dive more into the topics.

Professionally, I work in marketing for a local government and have enjoyed the opportunity to work with colleagues and residents to share positive stories that highlight the community’s strengths. It’s been rewarding to see the impact of our work in fostering connection and engagement, and I’m constantly inspired by the ways we can communicate to make a difference in people’s lives. I’m excited to apply what I’m learning in my studies to further enhance my professional role. I can’t help but be disappointed when there are negative stories, so I hope to learn how to better manage and navigate those situations, especially to do so proactively and not reactively. I’d like to develop strategies for addressing challenges in a way that fosters understanding and resolution, rather than just focusing on the problems.