Student Profiles: Communication Studies

Mark Silberg: Video Profile Mark Silberg, communication studies major, talks about accessibility to faculty and how his major prepares him to communicate in all settings. Watch the video >>

Joshua Hiew: Speaking out about commitment

A high school national debater, communication studies major Joshua Hiew (C13) had many reasons to enroll in the School of Communication.

"I loved the idea of the university dedicating an entire school to the academic study of communicative processes in our societies, and was really attracted to the widespread opportunities both on and off campus that were surely attendant to such a commitment," Hiew said. "The NU Speech and Debate Team is testament to this, and I'm a proud and happy member of the team."

An international student from Singapore, Hiew offers a unique perspective to his classmates in his communication studies classes. He enjoys applying lessons learned in the classroom to "the real world" in his forensics competitions. He travels with the speech team on weekends to tournaments around the country and has won several top honors in the events of impromptu speaking, extemporaneous speaking, and editorial impromptu speaking.

"Although Speech and Forensics can be incredibly intense and time-exhausting, it's also really rewarding because of how many meaningful friendships we get to make," Hiew said.

Yannell Selman: Balancing practical and political

As the current news director for WNUR 89.3, Northwestern’s student-run radio station, Yannell Selman (C12) stays ahead of the game.

"It helps keep me informed and in touch with other communications majors, since WNUR is a School of Communication institution," the triple major in communication studies, political science, and philosophy said. "I get to read the news, produce casts, and facilitate events having to do with news and radio culture. I've been involved as a freshman holding positions including reporter, anchor, producer, business manager, assignment editor, executive producer, and now finally news director."

For Selman, choosing the School of Communication provided an "ideal balance between the practical and the political." She is able to learn what it’s like to work on a political campaign but also study effective advertising design.

"There are so many career options from communications," she said. "And the opportunities for specialization are endless."