Thank you, Mississippi State Online!

I’m an online junior at Mississippi State University, pursuing my bachelor’s degree in communication with an emphasis in public relations. I’ve been a journalist for nearly six years, traveling across the country to report on events and write for various publications. With this degree, I’m hoping to deepen my understanding of the field of communication, so I can become a better journalist and take my career to the next level.

In June 2024, I was accepted as an editorial intern with NBC Universal for the 2024-2025 academic year. This role involves working with the company to write articles promoting its latest films and TV shows.

After securing my NBC Universal internship, I realized I couldn’t continue at my previous college. My internship’s demands would conflict with an in-person class schedule. I began searching for a school in Mississippi that offered the flexibility to pursue my education while allowing me to work and seize other career opportunities. That’s when I found MSU.

With the flexibility I was looking for, along with excellent course offerings that aligned with my degree requirements and general education needs, I’ve enjoyed every moment of my studies here.

The Department of Communication professors have been incredibly supportive. Some have helped further my journalism career outside the classroom by writing recommendation letters to support opportunities that have come my way.

Even though I’m an online student living several hours away from the Starkville campus, I still feel socially connected to my peers. I’m an assistant reviewer for Endeavors, MSU’s undergraduate research journal, which has given me the chance to virtually meet like-minded students and further build my communications résumé. I was initially worried online students wouldn’t have many opportunities for extracurricular activities, but I’m more involved in my studies now than I’ve ever been on a traditional campus.

Though I’ve only been enrolled at MSU for a few months, I already know it was one of the best decisions I’ve made. Whether you’re attending classes in Starkville or studying from home, I truly feel I’m part of a supportive family that wants to see me succeed.

Looking back on my journey, the biggest piece of advice I can offer is higher education shouldn’t be a burden. College is about pursuing your passion, whether that’s in engineering, nursing, journalism or any other field. Don’t pass up amazing opportunities that come your way during your studies. A great university will encourage you to pursue those opportunities and work with you to ensure your career and academic goals are aligned. And, if that means transferring to MSU to take advantage of its outstanding online education program, trust me, you won’t regret it. Go Dawgs!

Sincerely,
Je’Kayla Crawford