After graduating, I plan to join the Coast Guard as part of their Public Affairs team, where I’ll be responsible for managing communications, media relations, and public messaging. My background in strategic communications has prepared me for this role by giving me a strong foundation in how to create and deliver clear, effective messages across different platforms. This experience is essential for public affairs, especially in a dynamic and high-pressure environment like the Coast Guard.

My senior project helped me refine key skills necessary for public affairs, such as crisis communication, audience analysis, and multimedia content creation. Through this project, I learned how to communicate in a variety of formats and for different audiences, which directly aligns with the work I’ll be doing in the Coast Guard. Whether managing social media, drafting press releases, or handling media inquiries, the project gave me the hands-on experience to navigate these tasks with confidence.

In addition to my work in the Coast Guard, I plan to pursue a master’s degree while serving, further strengthening my expertise in strategic communications. The combination of real-world experience in the military and advanced academic training will help me grow as a communicator and leader. Overall, my education and senior project have set me up to succeed in this new chapter and continue developing my skills in the field.