The Best Decision You'll Ever Make

By: Abby Harley

So, you’re fresh into the college lifestyle, huh?

That means ‘new’ everything, basically. A new environment includes a new school, new friends, new classes and professors… it’s overwhelming to say the least, isn’t it?

Yeah, I agree. It can be rough.

But, through all this, you say you’re undecided on what to put your academic career towards during your time in college. Let me tell you, that will be one of the most overwhelming (temporary) unknowns that you will ever have in your lifetime.

For those that attend college for the right reasons, what you major in makes or breaks your college experience and your life beyond that.

Quite honestly, your major says a ton about you as a person. It determines what you are passionate about, what drives you to become a better you and what you are determined to put your energy towards in the future. Your future is the only thing ahead of you, so make it worthwhile by preparing for it in college now.

When I came to Auburn University as a freshman, I knew that I wanted to go into public relations without a doubt in my mind. Personally, I have always had a passion for the communications field. In the past, I have gone back and forth with what exactly I wanted to do. At first, I wanted to be a lawyer, then a consultant and then a news anchor (I was stuck on that one for a while). Now, I have decided that I want to go into social media and branding for businesses.

For right now, I’m a bit of a freelancer. However, eventually, my goal is to open my own boutique public relations firm once I get a few years of experience under my belt. My point with telling you about my various past interests is that you can literally do anything with a degree in public relations. Whatever business field that you decide go into, a higher knowledge and understanding of good public relations is essential for anyone and anything.

If you’re a creative like me, you would fit right in with your peers if you decided to pursue this degree. Anyone within this major will agree that they were able to use their own brand of creativity, originality and thought to any piece of work that they completed. I was able to state my opinions freely, engage in thoughtful discussion with others and learn more about how I can personally serve the public relations industry by being me.

I was assured by my professors and peers that I was special. I was empowered and motivated to do the best that I could in my classes in order to best serve the public relations field in my own unique and powerful way.

Lastly, my time in this major has taught me one of the most important concepts in mankind: connection with others. Public relations is all about learning to connect with others so that you can create lasting mutually beneficial relationships.

Dr. Brené Brown, a graduate professor in social work and communication at the University of Houston once stated, “I define connection as the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.”

This quote embodies the public relations program and everything it has to offer.

My career in public relations at Auburn University has cultivated opportunities of a lifetime for me to connect with people so that they “feel seen, heard and valued.” I have learned to give, which often resulted in me receiving in return. I have learned to create strength and sustenance in every relationship I have made, and for that I am forever thankful.

Do yourself a favor and make the choice to major in public relations. I promise that you will not regret it and it will be the best decision you’ll ever make.