Reflecting upon the first semester

A couple of weeks ago I was contacted by an old friend who was curious about the CCPR program and how I was faring. “Is it worthwhile?” she asked. My first instinct was to question how high sleeping and showering regularly were on her list of priorities. But instead I went for a more straightforward and honest response – absolutely.

A part of what made my first semester at Centennial so phenomenal was not just what I was learning, but whom I was learning from – industry professionals and some of the best in the business. Coming from a large university, I’d never had the opportunity to get to know any of my instructors in a meaningful way. From the very first week in CCPR I knew this would no longer be the case. The support I received from my instructors truly exceeded my expectations. I was always encouraged to share my thoughts and opinions, something I took full advantage of, sometimes to their chagrin (I kind of like to talk). They set their standards high, but most of the time we measured up, and you could always tell they were genuinely invested in your success.

I’ve spent over 350 hours with my classmates this semester. Between class time and group work, I’ve had the opportunity to get to know many of them very well. While we’ve certainly had our ups and downs, it’s truly incredibly what a group can accomplish when we work together. For this semester’s project and event management course, our group raised more than $1000 for a local women’s shelter on a zero dollar budget. The sense of accomplishment we felt at the end was phenomenal.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my first semester in this program it’s that we have a tendency to underestimate what we are capable of. I worked incredibly hard, and there were times when I was sure I would fail (especially when I had to learn to spell without autocorrect). But I never did. From writing media releases to creating a business plan, this program made juggling an intense schedule feel less like a burden and more like an accomplishment. With every class and assignment and I began to realize just how valuable these experiences were. As this semester comes to an end, I can look back on it and say with certainty that I made the right choice. I’ll be leaving Centennial with new friendships, confidence, and the skills I need to succeed in the professional world.

Posted by Madison Downey, student, class of Spring 2015