Abigail Smith ’25
May 1, 2024
When you have a dream, you take the steps — and seek all possible opportunities — to make it happen. Mass communication major Abigail Smith aims to be a storyteller, ideally uncovering details in the political world of Washington, D.C., or crafting and amplifying a brand’s identity in public relations.
Abigail’s path here started at Tyler Junior College, where she earned an associate degree in public relations and advertising. Thinking about her goals and how to achieve them, she decided to transfer to The University of Texas at Tyler — a school close to home with programs reflecting her interests and a generous transfer credit policy.
Attending UT Tyler allows Abigail to work, manage a full-time course schedule and access several hands-on opportunities to build her experience in preparation for a career in media.
Among them, interning for UT Tyler’s marketing department has shed light on professional social media management — from creating content plans to communicating with multiple audiences. She’s also on the staff of The Patriot Talon, UT Tyler’s independent, student-run newspaper and media organization.
Do you have a favorite memory on campus so far?
My favorite memory so far on campus was being enrolled in MCOM 2313, which is an introductory course for multimedia production! During this course, we participated in mock TV segments, where we learned about each position at a production studio. For example, we learned about audio, directing, set design and many other important roles.
What drew you to UT Tyler?
I began my college journey at Tyler Junior College, graduating with an associate in public relations and advertising. During my last semester at TJC, I began to consider what my next steps would be, and UT Tyler felt like the right choice from the beginning because I would be able to stay home and commute to campus while still being close enough to be involved in organizations.
What is your major, and what interested you about your major?
I am a Mass Communications major with a focus in journalism and a minor in political science. This major interested me because I aspire to give a voice to the voiceless. I also find joy in investigating, interviewing and writing stories about the world around us.
Majoring in Mass Communication at UT Tyler
From journalism to social media, web content and public relations, media organizations look for professionals who can craft a convincing narrative while utilizing all the tools available at their fingertips. UT Tyler structures the bachelor’s in mass communication program around this objective. Students receive a hands-on introduction to web design, video production, photography and news writing while accessing internships and exploring the intersection of media and culture.
About the BA/BS in Mass CommunicationHas anything been unique about your experience so far, including inside and outside the classroom?
Working and being a full-time student while still trying to be involved on campus has been challenging but rewarding during my time at UT Tyler. I live almost an hour away from campus, so it can feel like a puzzle in trying to figure out how to be the best student while still working.
UT Tyler emphasizes career preparation and hands-on learning. What types of opportunities have you participated in (internships, research or travel study, for example), and what have you learned?
I am currently a social media intern for the marketing department at UT Tyler, where I am learning every day how to produce content, generate plans and target different audiences through media.
Have you been involved in any campus organizations or activities?
I am a staff writer with the Patriot Talon news organization on campus! Being a part of a student news organization has helped me practice my writing skills and create connections on campus.
The Patriot Talon
As UT Tyler’s independent, student-run media outlet, The Patriot Talon encompasses a newspaper, podcast and social media presence. All students involved uphold journalistic standards of fairness and accuracy while creating a channel for expression, entertainment and information.
About The Patriot TalonWhat are your goals or aspirations following graduation?
Following graduation, I hope to land a job in Washington, D.C., where I can immerse myself in the political world, either as a journalist or working in the public relations field.