School of Communication professor Scott Talan hosted the first of his monthly “Perch Talks” on Sept. 17 to discuss with students how to make the most out of the college experience by reaching out of their comfort zones and taking new opportunities.
Talan chatted about taking advantages of opportunities including study abroad and internships. The SOC professor stressed to not only attend office hours but also to research before hand and look around a professor’s office in order to capture an image of what a particular professor is really like.
“Look at what university they’re from, explore why your professor has passion for what they do,” Talan said. “Sit in on other classes that you have no business of being in. You just might realize you love that subject and new doors will open for you.”
College of Arts and Sciences sophomore Zack Waldron, Kogod sophomore Allie Erenbaum and School of Communication senior Tony Cohn helped Talan with his talk. Each is a former student of Talan’s, and provided insight by giving advice to freshmen students.
Waldron began by highlighting the need to not rush and declare a major, and instead take a wide variety of classes that complements many interests.
“Turns out I was undecided [my] freshman year so I took a Physics course and now it’s my major,” Waldron said.
Erenbaum emphasized that it is never too early to begin planning for an internship, who now works as a Social Media and Marketing Intern at the Kogod Center of Career Development.
Cohan’s college career has been filled with experience due to the fact that he created independent study projects including “Transforming Creative Thinking into Creative Writing” and “Arts Integration in Theory and Practice,” he said.
Talan closed the discussion by asking his former students what the benefits are of living in D.C. Waldron expressed how the city has a large amount of young professionals as well as undergraduate and graduate students, emphasizing that D.C. is both a college town and an educated city. Erenbaum suggested making a bucket list to check out and do everything possible that the city has to offer.
“AU fosters the community to push yourself. It may not feel normal but as long as you take chances you’ll see new horizons open up,” Erenbaum said.
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