Profile: Nicole O’Connell

Highlights

  • Awarded Teaching Fellowship
  • Completed internship working with graduate students in the Electrical & Computer Engineering Department
  • Developed interdisciplinary workshops in the Multiliteracy & Communication Center
MPWC Student Profile: Nicole O'Connell

Why professional writing & communication?

Professional writing and communication are essential and interdisciplinary—whatever your profession is, writing and communication will probably play a significant role. My classmates in the program have a variety of interests, and it’s great to see all the different paths one can take by studying writing and communication.   

What excites you most about this program?

This program has many exciting opportunities for professional development and getting involved with the campus community. I teach technical communication, tutor at the Multiliteracy & Communication Center, run a weekly creative writing workshop, and intern in the Electrical & Computer Engineering Department. Furthermore, the MPWC courses teach useful skills and encourage students to apply those skills to topics and projects that students are passionate about, allowing students to gain experiences and build portfolios that are a reflection of the student’s goals.

How have the classes you’ve taken reinforced or changed your professional identity?

I’ve gained many practical skills throughout this program, such as rhetorical and technical skills, but I have also become more aware of issues and additional considerations within communication such as accessibility and ethics. So, during this program, I have not only learned how to create effective communication, but to create effective and thoughtful communication.