Our “10 Questions” to recent graduates continue! Next up to answer my call is new alum Nikka Suleymanova, BA!
2013 COMS graduate Nikka! Isn’t she smart?
I would have to say that laying on the grass outside Gleeson with a few friends, soaking up the sun (since sunny days are definitely rare in SF) definitely takes the win. Although, my first few days at USF were pretty memorable too. I got extremely lost trying to find my classes, and didn’t know a single person on campus. I really had to put myself out there to meet new people and had the chance to explore the beautiful campus, even if it was by mistake. Definitely scary, but looking back now, so worth it!
It may be a little cliché to say graduation, but it truly felt great to walk across that stage, knowing that all my long nights and hard work were worth it. The day I had been looking forward to for years had finally come, and I was there celebrating with my family, friends, and my graduating peers, which made it that much more special.
I’ve loved going to school ever since I was a little girl, so I will definitely miss the atmosphere. College is a time to learn, find yourself, make mistakes, grow, and flourish into someone that can take on the challenges of the “real world.” So it’s definitely bittersweet that it has all come to an end. I’ll miss the wonderful professors, who really did put their heart into the students’ learning, as well as being able to sit next to my close friends in class.
My favorite (and probably the most important) thing about being a COMS major would have to be the fact that I can apply everything I have learned directly into my career. It is so extremely versatile and I love that about being a COMS major. You learn things that are so important, yet often overlooked, and are given the opportunity to apply those learned skills in a variety of different career paths.
I would get more internships! I spent the majority of my time working at one company, and though I enjoyed it tremendously, it would have been interesting to work a few totally different internships just to see what other things I might enjoy!
Network, start internships early, never burn any bridges, and don’t forget to have a good time! It’s important to meet new people and make a good (and professional) first impression, because you never know who you might meet. Remember that you go to school in SF, and meeting new people isn’t all that difficult out here, so go out and explore! Start making a LinkedIn account, and make sure your Twitter, FaceBook, etc… are always appropriate (an interviewer once told me that they purposely search for candidate’s social media accounts just to see what they post!)
I am very excited to finally start applying everything I have learned into my career. Getting a job is one thing, but starting a career that you spent four (or more) years in college preparing for is very rewarding. I’m also excited to meet new people, and continue to grow and learn new things!
I hope to start my own business (a recruiting firm for tech companies) and have my MBA by that time as well!
When I first started USF, I was still unsure of what I wanted to study, and thinking about the future scared me to pieces. Now, I am excited about what’s to come, and through my experiences at USF, I feel ready to tackle on anything that is thrown my way.
Exhilaration, joy, and anxiousness.
Congratulations, Nikka, on your graduation! We are so proud of you! And is it just me, or have you also noticed that our alums are our best advertisement? Love what both Nikka and Azul have said about the Communication Studies major!
