The Success Express is created by the Brian Lamb School of Communication Online Success Coach team, designed to help graduate students develop success strategies as they complete online graduate communication programs at Purdue University.
In This Issue
- Pets of Purdue
- Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Cheri Sparks
- Student Success Story
- First Generation Student Celebration
- Upcoming Virtual Events
- Important Dates
- Bravo, Boilermakers!
- Contact Us
Pets of purdue
Faculty Spotlight
Student success story
Victoria Jane Erdel, MS COM Student
What does your communication style say about you and what misconceptions have there been along the way that you’ve had to overcome?
It wasn’t until I was one year out of undergrad that I was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - Inattentive type, formerly known as ADD. In the days and weeks that followed, many things about my life, including my communication style, started to retrospectively make sense. I thought about the times I was called a weird child. (But don’t worry, I never took offense to it because it was always said as a simple fact rather than a harsh judgement.) I thought about the times I wanted desperately to focus on what someone was telling me, but my mind would drift off, leaving me to mask the best I could while numbly bobbing my head in agreement. Or the times when I was paying attention, I would interject with my own related story to show I was actively listening. This method, however, would often be interpreted as me trying to hijack the conversation. In reality, I just wanted to show the person that they were heard and that I expected another one of their own stories in response.
After realizing all of this, I understood why my daydreams would be interpreted as carelessness, or storytelling as self-centeredness. My ADHD diagnosis helped me become more self-aware and motivated me to learn how to better communicate with neurotypical people. I learned to be more to-the-point, maintain steadier eye contact, and ask more follow-up questions. At the same time, however, this experience showed me how little societal effort there is in understanding and accommodating neurodivergent people and their communication styles.
Once I enrolled in Purdue’s MS in Communication program, I was pleasantly surprised by the opportunities to not only improve my communication skills, but also engage with like-minded peers. I’ve attended virtual writing center sessions, written countless papers and discussion posts, and even completed an interview with a Purdue PhD candidate who is researching how writing centers can better accommodate students with ADHD. Through these experiences, I have learned that there is space for all of us. That is one of the reasons why I founded Vici Coaching LLC, a business where I coach neurodivergent and disabled people like myself to be more effective writers and public speakers. As I continue studying and building my business, I look forward to turning misconceptions into opportunities for empathy and understanding.
Proud to be First! Celebrating Purdue’s First-Generation Students
Purdue University is celebrating our First-Generation college students this November 7 through November 11, to coincide with the National First-Generation College Celebration on November 8th. First-generation students are defined by Purdue as “those students that come from families where their parents or guardians did not complete a four-year college degree.”
The celebration honors the unique challenges and many accomplishments of first-generation students. If you self-identify as first-gen, know that we honor and celebrate you! #CelebrateFirstGen! #PurdueProudtobeFirst
Upcoming Virtual events
IMPOSTER SYNDROME | Thursday, November 10, from 1pm - 2pm Eastern Time
Part of maturing as a graduate student is finding your voice and the confidence to know that you belong in your academic discipline. Any individual can be impacted by the impostor syndrome (IS), but minorities in a field are more susceptible, so addressing this early in your career is important. In this session we will introduce examples of IS, implications on mental health and social justice. Quick tips on the power of positive thinking will be given. Hosted by The Graduate School Professional Development Office
LINKEDIN | Thursday, November 10, from 2pm - 3pm Eastern Time
Attend this presentation to learn how to improve your LinkedIn profile, and use the website for networking, information gathering, and job searches. Hosted by The Graduate School Professional Development Office
EVALUATING AND NEGOTIATING A JOB OFFER | Wednesday, November 16, from 3pm - 4pm Eastern Time
Attend this presentation to learn about the evaluation and negotiation process, how to evaluate your job offer(s), identify points for negotiation, and negotiate effectively. Hosted by The Graduate School Professional Development Office
PREPARING TO BUY A HOUSE | Wednesday, November 30, from 12pm - 1pm Eastern Time
First Time Home Buyer- A review of the basics for financial preparation to purchase a home and expert help about financing with a mortgage. Hosted by The Graduate School Professional Development Office
Important Dates
BRAVO, BOILERMAKERS!
Being a Boilermaker comes from the great successes in your life, and for that we say Bravo! Many of you have received job promotions, added to your family (including pets!), presented at national conferences, or have celebrated personal achievements and we'd love to celebrate with you!
Contact us
Kiley Kallenberger | kkallenb@purdue.edu
Scott Smith | smit3610@purdue.edu