Zachary A. Schaefer
Education:
M.A., Organizational Communication, 2004
Work Experience:
Communication Instructor (Texas A&M; Blinn college) Taught: Public Speaking, Group Communication, Argumentation and Debate.
Assistant Director of Basic Course in Public speaking, Texas A&M
Why I chose SLU for my graduate degree?
Three words. Flexibility, guidance, and encouragement. Although I was accepted to several competitive (Research I) programs for my Master’s degree, I chose to stick with SLU because the faculty in the department of communication do everything in their power to tailor a graduate experience to each individual student. The department of communication not only allows their students to build a flexible degree plan around the student’s interests, the faculty are also well connected around the university and within the St. Louis community – allowing students to apply the theoretical skills they learn in a real world setting. I never met a St. Louis University employee who was not willing to offer guidance; people really do feel like they are a part of a family while attending the university. From engaging community service projects to offering guidance on the publishing process, the SLU community really goes above and beyond expectations and assists students in the transition to life in graduate school. Finally, I was encouraged to explore my ideas and theories even when they went against conventional thinking. The faculty and administrators provided a supportive but challenging environment that stimulated and rewarded out-of-the-box thinking. I had the opportunity to hone my research and teaching skills by taking part in free programs such as the Center for Teaching Excellence, accompany professors on organizational consulting trips, and engage the local community through service learning projects. Overall, my graduate education while at Saint Louis University has more than prepared me for the competitive world of Research I academic programs, and I feel like I had a head start on my fellow peers when starting my PhD program at Texas A&M University!
What factors contributed to my excellent experience at SLU?
- The outstanding faculty in the department of communication. These individuals are both seasoned veterans and shining novice scholars who ensure that the graduate students in the department have their scholarly and personal needs met. I went through a traumatic personal experience while in graduate school at SLU, and if it were not for the friendships and mentorships that developed, I might have quit graduate school.
- Community service and service learning opportunities are abundant. These experiences give students the chance to see how theoretical constructs are implemented in organizational and social situations. The city of St. Louis provides the perfect laboratory for enacting communication theories and research.
- The competitive assistantship that I received was a huge factor in easing the scholarly burdens of graduate life. The excellent medical benefits, ample stipend, and tuition remission allowed me to focus on my studies rather than worry about how I was going to eat or pay my bills.
How does my SLU education help my career path?
SLU prepared me for the dynamic, competitive, and rewarding world of academic life. My professors and mentors taught me to view graduate school as a green house; graduate school is my opportunity to make mistakes, spill some soil, die (at times), germinate, and hopefully grow with the ideas, theories, and methodologies that I encounter. I now know that I will secure a position in the academic community, but more importantly, that I will know who I am as a person and where I stand as a scholar.
Why would I recommend a student to attend SLU?
If a student wants to feel welcomed and simultaneously challenged, attend SLU. If a student wants to apply knowledge in community/organizational settings, attend SLU. If a student wants to forge relationships with faculty members and graduate students that last a lifetime, attend SLU. If a student wants to develop skills and ideas that can make a difference in this world, ATTEND SLU!!
