Sarah
Class of 2010
Hometown: Santa Cruz, California
Major: Advertising/Public Relations
Minor: Sociology
Always curious about the world around her, Sarah originally planned to be a journalist. But once she started taking advertising and public relations courses to fulfill her degree requirements, a new interest sparked within her and she changed her major to Advertising/Public Relations.
Through switching her major, Sarah discovered that her new area of study fit closer with another passion she had — sociology. While at Evangel, Sarah has been able to put both areas of study to work through a valuable internship at a boutique and through working on Evangel’s yearbook, The Excalibur.
Why did you choose Evangel?
I had gone to kindergarten through high school with all of the same people, so I wanted to go to college in a place that would different from what I grew up with. In being interested in sociology, I wanted to get a taste of living somewhere different. I was also really impressed by the Communication Department and I liked all of the professors a lot.
Was Evangel your first choice?
No, it wasn’t. In high school, I thought I should apply to at least one Assemblies of God school so I chose Evangel in addition to some other larger schools. When it came down to making the decision, I felt Evangel was the place where I needed to be.
Did you visit Evangel before becoming a student?
I visited my junior year of high school.
Which residence hall do you live in?
I have lived in Lewis and Burgess, but now I live in the Perkin Apartments (for married students).
Why did you decide to go to a school so far away from home?
I just knew it was where I was supposed to be.
What’s your favorite thing about Evangel?
The professors — they really do care about you and that makes a huge difference in the college experience.
What types of activities are you involved in on campus?
I have served as a captions writer, assistant copy editor, and the advertising manager for the Excalibur yearbook.
What have you gained from being a part of student media?
It has helped me realize a little more in how the world works. Especially in being the advertising manager, the economy hasn’t been well so it made it harder to find advertisers to support the cost of the book, but I was able to push through and meet the quota.
Have you had any internships yet?
I interned at a high-end boutique in the Battlefield Mall. The store had a very loyal customer base and that has helped in making sales, scheduling appointments, networking and at the end of the internship, I organized a fashion show.
Why did you choose your particular major(s)/minor(s)?
I was originally journalism. In high school I was the typical newspaper nerd, but once I started taking advertising and public relations courses, I began falling in love with it so I switched majors. Throughout my entire life though, sociology has always been where my heart was.
What are your goals after college?
I plan to go to graduate school to pursue a master’s and a Ph.D. in sociology and anthropology. I would really like to study abroad at St. Andrews.
What are your top strengths* and how do you use them?
Strategic, Connection, Woo, Relater and Input are my top strengths. I really found them to be relevant in seeing how I make choices and seeing some order in this world.
*Evangel University is one of 600 universities which use Gallup's strengths-based, leadership-development program. All students learn what their top five strengths are, and leadership training during their years at Evangel helps them to develop and maximize these talents.
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