Dear Future Communications Students: cohort shares advice

Our program pages for the Master of Arts in Professional Communication provide a detailed overview of the degree, but what do students enrolled in the program think? We asked current students “What advice would you give to future Master of Arts in Professional Communication students?” 

They were generous with their wisdom and insights. Here’s what they advise:  

Dive right in 

“To new students, my advice is simple: immerse yourself and stay open. Even if you're unsure of your path to graduation, the surprises in the journey might lead you to remarkable discoveries.” Jessie Zhang 

“Don’t be afraid to push yourself and take risks. You’ll be learning a lot in a graduate program, but you are in the driver’s seat and you should know where you want to go.” Lew MacDonald 

Picking your path 

“If you’re still deciding which pathway to take (Course-Based, Research Paper, Thesis), know that you have time to think about it, so don’t feel like you need to rush to decide because the program advisors are accommodating.” Jessica Rita Rampersad 

Connect with your cohort 

“What is one of my secrets for success? Getting to know and working with the people in my cohort. “ Bettina McCulloch-Drake 

“Lean into your cohort and the experience.” Kim Wickens 

“Be supportive and cheer each other on. When my cohort created a group chat to stay in touch outside of residency and throughout the program, we called ourselves the “MAPC Champions.” My cohort has been supportive and encouraging, making the Master’s experience so much more joyful.”  Jessica Rita Rampersad 

Embrace your uniqueness 

“I’m sure I’ll have better advice once I complete the program, but for now I would suggest coming into the program with an open mind and don’t shy away from incorporating what sets you apart, as an individual, into your work. The way I think, process information, feel and see the world has created a beautiful yet imperfect dynamic within my long journey in academia. I’m now better at channeling that in my research or class assignments rather than feeling frustrated by it.”  Isha Thompson  

"Remember that everyone brings different stories to the table. Being the youngest member in my cohort, I sometimes had no idea what I was doing in a classroom with such wise individuals with years of experience. However, one night during my first residency, my cohort and I went to dinner, and some of the students mentioned that I should never underestimate the experiences and backgrounds I bring with me. I have a lot of knowledge about social media and publishing, which was really useful in course assignments and class discussions.”  Jessica Rita Rampersad 

You’ve got this 

“My general advice to future MAPC students includes the following. First, breathe; you will get through this. Two, take one day at a time, breaking everything into smaller chucks makes things easier to manage. Three, get to know the other students in your cohort; they will be good sources of support, knowledge, and advice. Four, communicate with your professors often, especially when you are feeling overwhelmed, have questions, or need some extra time to work on an assignment. Bettina McCulloch-Drake 

“Don’t fear failure! Yes, your work will be evaluated, but all the faculty and staff at RRU only want to see you succeed, and I know from experience that they will go out of their way to support you if the going gets tough.” Lew MacDonald  

“Don’t let imposter syndrome define you. There were so many times when I felt like, “What am I doing here?” but I quickly brushed that thought away because I remembered that I was accepted into this program for a reason and I was meant to be here. If you have the qualifications and credentials, and you’re accepted into the program, own it and enjoy it.” Jessica Rita Rampersad 

Learn more about the Master of Arts in Professional Communication program.