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"The skills one acquires in the Communication major, including conflict resolution, leadership, and critical thinking, are highly sought after by employers." Paula Haug Faculty / Communication Studies / Folsom Lake College

Why should students pursue a career in Communication?

Humankind has come up with some pretty clever stuff over the ages – but our greatest invention, by far, is language. Language – communication – is the essence of our humanity; it allows us to connect with each other and cultivate ideas and grow! Every career field, from accounting to veterinary technology, relies upon communication in order to function effectively. The skills one acquires in the Communication major, including conflict resolution, leadership, and critical thinking, are highly sought after by employers.

What advice would I give to a new college student?

My advice is simple: don't quit. No matter how crazy your life may get, stay enrolled – even if it's only for 3 units! Once your car stops visiting campus, it gets harder and harder to come back. So stick around. You'll be glad you did. That, and buy a tiny stapler to keep in your backpack. Your professors will love you for it.

What's my favorite part of my job?

I love that my discipline so readily lends itself to effective teaching. A lot of good teaching is good communication – so by modeling effective communication skills, I become a better teacher. I also love how technology has expanded my discipline. Communication once took place only face-to-face. Before we knew it, we were communicating in writing and via telephone and radio and television, and now much of our communication takes place via computers and text messages. It's fascinating to see how the media affects the message.

What was my proudest moment working with students?

I have been very fortunate to be heavily involved in both service-learning and AmeriCorps programs, so I've had many proud moments with students. My students have done everything from build houses for Habitat for Humanity to revamping music rooms at The Boys and Girls Club to teaching underprivileged kids to read. On a day-to-day basis, however, my proudest moments probably happen in the Public Speaking course. I've had hundreds of students, literally, who thought they would freeze up or pass out or throw up - and that has never happened once! It's wonderful to see someone do the thing they thought they couldn't do – and to feel like I helped them in some small way.

Additional Information:

• Outstanding Teaching Award, Fresno City College, 2006
• International Communication Association Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award, 1992
• "The Native Americans: What Communication Journals and Texts Tell Us About America's Original Indigenous Minority" Presented at the National Communication Association Convention, Chicago, Illinois, 1992
• "The Native Americans: What We Learn from the Social Science Journals" Presented at the National Communication Association Convention, Miami, Florida, 1993

Paula Haug has her B.A. and M.A. from CSU, Fresno.