Senior year isn't typically the time to take on more leadership roles. Between savoring the rest of your time at Penn State and keeping up with classes, adding more work to your plate doesn't sound too appealing to most seniors. However, Christina Hamilton, a senior in Kappa Alpha Theta, was drawn towards founding the International Association of Business Communicators this fall semester! Keep reading to find out all that's involved with starting an organization as the founding president!
How are you spending your school year?
My school year has been absolutely amazing thus far. I’m living with my three best friends in an apartment right on Beaver – the perfect location and the perfect people. I’m taking a full course load, including ballroom dance with my boy. I’m also adoring all the new Theta cuties that have just joined our sisterhood. I was recently elected President of IABC/PSU (The International Association of Business Communicators) and have been busy trying to establish this new student chapter at Penn State.
I’m just reveling in life as a senior. I was abroad in Seville, Spain last semester, so adjusting back has been a bit of a whirlwind. The Sevillano life is very chill and laid back, so I had to get back to the “work hard, play hard” mentality that defines Penn State. I’ve been working for SAP, a software company based out of Newtown Square, PA, for the past year and half. Between being abroad and getting a taste of the real world with two internships this summer, I am taking advantage of every last second. I take a little extra time walking to class to enjoy our beautiful campus and observe the energetic student body bustling around. I know there’s no other place like PSU on earth, so I’m sure not going to take it for granted.
How did you acquire this position?
The International Association of Business Communicators is a global network of communications professionals committed to improving organizational effectiveness through strategic communications. Those in the College of Comm. received an email this summer about the desire to establish an IABC chapter at Penn State. I was originally drawn to IABC because I was struggling to find an organization on campus that was the right fit for my career interests. I saw IABC as an opportunity for great leadership experience and the for immense personal and professional development. I love the idea of being at the starting line of founding an organization that can give students from all different majors access to networking workshops and experiences, prospective jobs and internships, and many other things. We’re the founders, so it can be whatever we want!
Is this position any different than you imagined it would be going into it?
It isn’t too different. I knew there would be a lot of paperwork and going through the motions of establishing this new organization. I am pleasantly surprised by the energy and ideas of the other executive members. In the past few weeks as elected President, I’m already learning new things each day, and I’m even more excited to see what is to come. I know we won’t be without our struggles, but I’m fully prepared for the challenge.
What is your most memorable experience so far?
My most memorable experiences thus far have been the few meetings I’ve had with the other executive members. We’re bringing our innovative thoughts and ideas together, and I’m doing my best to organize and integrate those ideas to optimally represent what we really want. We’re all very busy individuals, so getting together can be tough. When we have met, I have sensed an ease, respect and comfortability amongst the group that will prove integral as things get hectic. I’m happy we’re all on the same page: that we want IABC to be professional and relevant, yet fun and engaging!
What would be your advice to anyone who aspires to obtain a position similar to this next year?
My advice would be to read the Comm emails (trust me, there’s some good stuff in those 10-plus emails per day) and to not be afraid to try new things. I’m not doing this with anyone from my sorority. I’m not doing this with any of my friends. Choose the clubs, organizations, hobbies and whatever else that make YOU happy, and no one else. Our time here is limited, so make the most of it with activities that bring you peace and happiness.
