Mississippi College communication students visited Washington, D.C. in March to learn about careers in communications and media relations from university alumni working in the nation’s capital, according to an April 16 announcement.
The trip was designed to give students exposure to potential internship and employment opportunities in public service, as well as a first-hand look at how their classroom studies apply in real-world settings.
Reid Vance, professor and chair of the Department of Communication at Mississippi College, said the experience connects students with valuable professional contacts. “Many MC graduates feel compelled to go into public service,” Vance said. “They see it as a way to serve other people. When they leave MC, we want them to share their culture with all mankind. They see communications as an area where they can really make a difference.”
During the trip, students met with Lisa Shoemaker, vice president of Global Corporate Relations at IDEMIA; Javan Rasnake, spokesperson and press officer for the U.S. Department of War; Susan Sweat, principal and director at Cornerstone; U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith and her communications staff; among others. The group toured significant sites including the Pentagon and Capitol Hill and observed a Senate session.
Evelyn Parsley, a sophomore journalism major from Plano, Texas said: “I was interested in hearing about potential options for communication roles and meeting with MC Communication Department alumni who live and work in and around the city… Getting a first-hand look at real-world applications for the communication concepts that we study in class is an incredibly rewarding experience.” Ella MacGregor, a junior communication major from Brandon added: “Communication students need to broaden their horizons and see what the world has to offer… It’s important to have people in your corner supporting you professionally and personally.”
Vance noted that many Mississippi College graduates are employed or reside in Washington D.C., which he views as evidence of strong academic preparation provided by the university. He said: “We prepare our students well to have success in their chosen fields… Supervisors of students who go into practice say they were very well prepared in terms of their initiative and their work ethic…” He also emphasized that professors have a responsibility “to broaden their horizons,” stating trips like this help fulfill that goal.