Emily Wallace will be graduating in May. (Photo Courtesy: Emily Wallace).
As we approach the end of the spring semester and a new wave of seniors are getting ready to graduate, it is time to shed some light on some of the graduating seniors on campus. Emily Wallace, majoring in communications, is set to graduate next month and took some time to reflect on her time at Dean.
Wallace chose Dean College specifically because of its Kraft Group partnership. The Shrewsbury, Massachusetts native also attended an event while in high school at Gillette Stadium called “Behind the Stands” where she was able to meet Professor John Rooke, the Director of the Center for Business, Entertainment and Sport Management at Dean. All in all, Dean was a no-brainer for her as she fell in love with its communications program and being close to home.
When Wallace first arrived at Dean in the fall of her freshman year it was certainly an adjustment for her. “I was petrified and didn’t know how I was going to do with college”.
Wallace also went on to talk about how attending Dean was the first time she had been away from home outside of having sleepovers, as she had never gone to sleepaway camp. “Adjusting was tough because I shared a bunkbed with my younger sister, but having my own bed was nice.”
When reflecting on her time at Dean, Wallace would say that her favorite memory would have to be in the fall semester of her sophomore year when she won first place in a competition and won $750. For this contest she had to present a video on her favorite course at Dean. “I chose radio, and I was shocked when I won because I had to present to 80 companies. So 800 people saw my video for the first time.”
Wallace believes that the best part about Dean College has to be the people in the community because she believes that everyone, no matter who it is, wants to see you succeed.
“You meet so many people who truly want the best for you and care about you and want you to succeed whether it be faculty, staff, professors, friends, coworkers. Every single person wants to see you be successful.”
“I truly believe in The Dean Difference, and it is real. People may make fun of it, but every time I have made a speech it always comes up and always will because Dean has changed me in a way that I am finally the student that I aspired to be. Now I have the grades and the connections and friends I always wanted. The life and career I wanted to have, Dean has given to me,” Wallace continued.
When looking back at her four years at Dean College, Wallace has no regrets, although she wishes that Covid-19 had not taken place, but she acknowledges that it has affected everyone around the world. She does see the positive aspects of living through the pandemic by having to be more versatile to hold different events or meetings virtually as well as in person.
The advice that Wallace would give an incoming freshman is that finding your spot will not happen overnight. “It is important to take it all one day at a time. There are going to be struggles. There will be days where you will want to get out of here or want to drop college in general. But you just have to find the places that makes you happy. For example, for me, the Digital Studios and Power 88 make me happy. So, I would say you have to find your people and join clubs because getting involved is so essential in creating the experience that you want here because you create your own path.”
Wallace has some offers for a full-time job after graduating in May but is still considering all of her offers.
Comments