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When joining ����ֱ�� State’s social media team in January, I was unsure of what to expect. As a sophomore, I was immediately a little scared knowing I was the youngest on the team, but I was confident that I would be able to fit in. Luckily one of my best friends, Allie, was also joining the team. This made me feel at ease and more comfortable with adjusting to my first on-campus job as a student. 

Although face-to-face operations were unfortunately cut short this semester, my experience has been anything but boring. It’s only been a few months, but I’ve made some awesome memories and gained experience I couldn’t find elsewhere. Some of our daily responsibilities include collecting statistics and researching social media trends. Also, I’ve discovered that I really enjoy covering events like Golden Flash Day for incoming students and making graphics for our different social platforms. Some of my favorite graphics I’ve got to create have been for our social media trends blog post as well as for our May 4th social media blog post. I love getting to have some creative freedom while working!

Graphic made for ����ֱ�� State’s “2020 Vision: Social Media Trends For Marketers” blog post

Graphic made for ����ֱ�� State’s “May 4 Visitors Center Brings Unique ‘Voices’ To The Upcoming Commemoration” blog post

I’ve also learned a lot about myself during my time with University Communications and Marketing (UCM). I love waking up early to get coffee before a shift. (Admittingly, that one took a little time to acquire.) And the blazers that have been sitting in my closet after buying them for an Instagram post have finally been put to good use. (The dress code in the office is business casual, in case you’re wondering.) My favorite part about my experience is that I’ve rediscovered how much I love ����ֱ�� State University and being a student here. I feel like after freshman year, students can lose their sense of school pride, but being a part of UCM has sparked that flame inside of me. 

Like most of the university, the social media team has been working remotely since early March. Adjusting to working from home has been a little difficult, but it is helping me gain some structure to everyday life. I look forward to completing my work instead of just watching Netflix in between my remote classes. I’m so lucky to be a part of such an awesome team and work for the best school in the country. Every day I am reminded of this, and I’m extremely grateful.  

-Olivia Potunas