By: Baylee Seabolt-Wilbanks
Q: What is your name and year?
My name is Morgan Seabolt-Wilbanks and I’m wrapping up my second year here at UMBC.
Q: Why did you decide to pursue a degree in media and communications?
I chose media and communications as my major because I didn’t feel particularly passionate about what I wanted to do/what industry I wanted to go into. So media and communications being a versatile and easy (compared to other majors) major appealed to me. And I’ve always had an interest in communication and psychology so I knew I wasn’t going to be completely uninterested in what I was learning.
Q: What has been your favorite MCS course so far?
I think my favorite MCS course so far is MCS333 (History and Theory of Mass Communication). I love theory, so it being a very theory involved class really had me in my element. I also had a really great professor who made the content extra interesting.
Q: What has been your favorite MCS assignment/project?
I think my favorite MCS project was producing a social media strategic plan for a company/brand of choice. I enjoyed this project because I felt like I was really putting my MCS skills to work and it was for something I was passionate about.
Q: Do you feel properly prepared by the coursework/classes?
I would say I have the necessary qualities to go into the media and communications industry but not necessarily the experience—I have the framework to succeed in a MCS related position but not the skills. However, I have yet to take the required internship so my answer would likely change after completing that.
Q: How have you applied MCS outside of the classroom?
Aside from using some of the production skills I learned for personal projects, I wouldn’t say that I really use MCS outside the classroom. But that’s mainly because I don’t have anything to apply it to (my current job isn’t really MCS related). Although, I 100% carry with me an “MCS mindset” all throughout my daily life—just thinking about the things I encounter through an MCS lens.
Q: Would you recommend this degree to others?
I would definitely recommend this degree to others. As I said before, it’s a versatile and interesting degree which makes it a great option for those who are unsure what they want to do and those who are actually interested in media and communications.
Q: Describe your MCS capstone project.
My MCS capstone project is still in the works but to give a general description: I’m looking at the relationship between body diversity in animation (specifically looking at the anime One Piece) and its impact on viewers’ self image and attitudes and acceptance toward others with varying appearances in real life.