Full Name: Caroline Vanstrom
What is your hometown? Roswell, GA
What is your favorite thing about your hometown? My house looks out on the Chattahoochee River, so whenever I go home and want to de-stress I sit outside in my backyard with my family and dog. My hometown has always been my happy place, and I also love it because not many people know exactly where Roswell is or what it is like.
What is your major? Public Relations
What is your minor (if any)? Cinematic Arts and Entrepreneurship
What is your expected graduation date? May 2017
Why did you choose to attend Annenberg?
I entered USC in the Fall of 2013 as an undecided student. After taking COMM 203 with Dr. Stacy Smith I knew that I wanted to be an Annenberg student, because each class I found myself so engaged in what we were learning. From the amazing faculty, to the small class sizes, and the excellent career services, I applied to be a PR major at the end of my first semester at USC. I chose PR because it is a smaller program and is more writing based, which are two aspects that I love about my major.
Tell us about a great experience or opportunity you've had here at Annenberg?
The first day I walked into Wallis Annenberg Hall this past fall was an incredible experience. I remember the anticipation of finally getting to take PR classes in the new building and when I walked in the doors I was not disappointed. I love grabbing my illy coffee and catching up on my news from the media wall before going up the winding staircases to such interactive and technologically up-to-date classrooms.
What makes Annenberg special?
The small class sizes, the meaningful and real-life work done in classes, the events that bring in executives from NBC, Disney and other national companies, internship and career services including emails with new job and internship opportunities daily, study abroad programs, research, student organizations, adjunct faculty, and truly supportive advisors all collectively make Annenberg so unique as a school.
What's one thing at USC that no student should miss?
I feel strongly that students should study abroad at some capacity during their time as an undergraduate. USC ensures that every student has the opportunity to do so by organizing programs for summer, fall, spring or a year term and creating programs specific to majors so that students will still graduate on time. I have had friends who have even studied or interned abroad for free through fellowships, the Global Fellows program, Dornsife’s SURF and SOAR, and various other scholarships available. I hope to attend Annenberg’s PR study abroad program in spring 2016!
Tell us about an experience you’ve had outside of class (an internship, research project, publication, start-up, etc.)?
An experience I have had outside of class that I am very invested in is with the student organization Xpressions Dance Company. We are a completely student run contemporary, jazz, lyrical and hip-hop dance company on campus and we rehearse throughout the entire semester until we perform our show in Bovard at the end of the semester. This is my second semester as a co-director, and fourth semester choreographing and dancing. This experience has taught me so much about dancing, leading a company, managing finances and promoting a show- I can thank PR for teaching me those promotional skills. I love XDC and I know it will be a part of all of my four years at USC.
How does your major (and minor) fit into your life's plan?
My grandma always makes the joke that I could write a book titled “Minors That I Have Considered at USC” and it is true. I knew I wanted to do PR, I just struggled to find another area of study to nicely pair with it but then I took a film class. Now I have one of my minors in Cinematic Arts and my dream is to work for a film studio or for a prominent film festival in PR or a related field.
Tell us about something you're involved with here (a sport, a club, a cause) and how it's changed you.
Applying to be a tour guide at the USC Office of Admission is one of the best decisions I have made during my time here. I am privileged to work in an office with the most incredible and inspiring people, and I also get to share my love for USC with others daily. My job has taught me so much about office skills, good customer service, effective public speaking and of course this wonderful university.
What advice do you have for incoming students?
Do what you love! I have found that students are so much more engaged and motivated in classes about the subjects in which they are interested. So if you are passionate about music but want to be a Chemical Engineer, take an elective in Thornton with your Viterbi classes! Also, get involved. Go to the involvement fair and sign up for whatever clubs sound interesting to you, because I guarantee you will find something you love and with it great people as well. Lastly, make connections. Connect with students, faculty, staff, guest speakers and more because it will help you immensely both during and after your undergraduate years.
