WKU毕业“声” | 韩璐:人文没有标准答案,传播学不是单行道
韩璐
大四 传播学
哲学与宗教学辅修
经历及荣誉:
2024年省级本科生优秀毕业生
2021年、2022年、2023年浙江省政府奖学金
2021年、2022年院长一等奖学金
2023年院长科研创新奖学金、院长二等奖学金
录取情况:
爱丁堡大学语言与跨文化传播硕士
爱丁堡大学数字社会硕士
华威大学全球媒体与传播硕士
利兹大学传播与媒体硕士
曼彻斯特大学国际时尚零售硕士
香港理工大学可持续时尚与创新硕士 (亚洲Top1时装学院)
#1
为什么选择在温州肯恩大学就读?温肯人文学院提供了哪些帮助?
和温肯结缘可以说是始于颜值,终于品质。
其实最初是被温肯校园的颜值所吸引,从校园环境到硬件设施都很好看,尤其是顶配宿舍。再有是一直以来,我不认同僵化的教育体制,不想再被高中枷锁般的环境困住,我想要走出去探索的机会。虽然当时很迷茫不知道未来具体想要做什么,但我明确的是至少本科毕业后一定要继续深造,让思维跳出既有的教育框架。所以我关注到温肯这所美式大学,能够让我在国内熟悉的环境下体验到全英授课和小班教学,这无疑会为我更好地适应全球化时代,以及为我未来深造夯实基础。再加之温肯有在招收自己梦寐以求的传播学专业,所以温肯就成了我在疫情中的梦想,传播学则是我的心之所向。
人文学院于我而言是如同家一般的存在,传播学有带给我很强的归属感。在人文,博雅教育让我接触到了多学科知识交叉的课程,在政治中学习编程,在哲学中学法律,在历史中学建筑……这帮助我从读写能力到口语表述,从掌握全面的专业知识到具备批判思考的能力。
中学时期,我并不是所谓成绩很好的学生,所以并没有很多机会给到我。但是到了人文之后,在传播学,我遇到了很好的教授,他们带给我的不仅是专业知识,更多的是有关注到我,并且有提供给我实践和科研的机会。所以人文学院给我的不仅是帮助,更是一定程度上的治愈,让我意识到或许我也是有价值的存在,可以为专业和学院的发展做一些小贡献。
#2
在课程和学习上有什么经验可以分享给学弟学妹?
当我还是低年级的学生时,我的学长学姐们帮到了我很多,这让我懂得如果我的学弟学妹们有需要我,我会尽自己所能去帮助。
在人文学院做了4年的学生助理,可以说很清楚大家在课程或学习中常遇到的问题有哪些。遇到最多的问题就是,很多学生来问怎样提升绩点,哪个老师给分高….. 大家似乎都很重视绩点和分数,我承认成绩很重要,这也是我曾经在意的。但是从大三开始,我逐渐发现过程性学习更有意义。尤其在传播学,每一项作业都需要把创新、批判思维和写作等各种各样的能力结合起来。每当学期结束完成了一个个final project之后,我会发现自己的实践能力和学术水平都潜移默化在长期的过程中得以提升。因此,我更加明确了应该将功夫下在日常每一天的信念,更重要的是享受学习的过程而不是仅专注于结果。
在学习上,我身边的朋友们都非常努力,非常优秀。无论是学习方法还是学习心态,我从大家身上学习到了很多。我其实是一个有点贪玩的人,虽然每天坐在A3看似在学习,但实际上很多时候我无法在学习上专注很久。还记得大二大三的时候,我常常会责备自己干嘛这样子爱玩,但自从大三上学期我慢慢形成成长型思维后,我就对自己宽容了太多,我会习惯于自己做不好一些事情,愿意给自己试错和成长的空间。我不再排斥自己的贪玩,因为我明白这对于我而言是蓄能的方式。所以我要的不止学习,而是有生活地学习。
学习是道阻且长的,建议大家不用过分紧绷于学习,也要在工作日的晚上或者周末去找自己的生活。或许别人的步伐是不断前进的,但是我们不要和别人去比较,专注自己的节奏就好,走走停停也是前进的一种方式。
#3
是怎样探索自己的科研/实习道路的呢?以及遇到困难是如何克服的呢?
一直以来,我认为传播学,尤其是公共关系,是实践的学科。所以这几年,我更专注的是实习。
首先是在准备简历以及寻找合适岗位方面,我建议大家都去上COMM3590 Business & Prof. COMM。这节课会教得很细致怎样做job searching,怎样去写CV和cover letter,还有模拟job interview。我找实习和申研的材料就是在这节课的基础上修改提交的。
再有是如何选择合适自己的岗位,我们会在各大招聘平台上看到五花八门的工作描述(jd),但是不要过于的相信和依赖这些jd。很多岗位其实是比较复杂的,有时jd中的几句话并不足以展示工作内容。比如传播学经常接触到的运营岗位,它可以细化成内容运营、用户运营、新媒体运营等岗位。我们需要通过社交媒体平台或有实习经验学长学姐去深入了解具体的工作内容,方便自己挑选更适合的岗位。
在投递的过程中,我建议大家自信起来,不要认为一些公司或者岗位门槛高就会看不上自己。实际上我们温肯在找寒暑期实习的时候有一个优势是放假时间会早于其他学校,所以如果企业正好在你投递简历的时候急需用人,且竞争人数较少,那么录取你的概率就会大很多。最后想和大家说无论是升学还是求职,一定要明白自己最想要的到底是什么,为自己提早做规划。
在科研方面,我前后有参加三次国际会议,研究内容涉及性别研究、电影研究以及线上约会主题,虽然我的经历和经验在其中有所增加,但必须承认的是,科研方面的我始终没有找到所谓自己的舒适区。直到大四,我结合着对未来愈发清晰的规划,加上Dr. Hooi San Noew对我毕业论文的引导和指导。我终于明确自己对于organizational communication的兴趣所在,用定量的方法研究了社交媒体在职场中的使用对Leader-member exchange (LMX) 和职场中问题解决风格的影响。
让我深有体会的是,写论文的过程切忌“闭门造车”。还记得我几乎在每个chapter的写作中都会有各种各样大大小小的问题,所以我会不定时地跑去找Dr. Noew交流进展和遇到的困难,每次她给到的意见和方向总会让我豁然开朗,然后我再反复修改内容。这不仅让我在毕业论文上少走很多弯路,更对我之后的科研注入了“动力”。所以虚心且诚心的态度是论文写作的基础,而行动力则是论文完成的关键所在。在此我想感谢Dr. Noew在课程和论文上对我莫大的帮助和支持,传道授业,亦师亦友。
#4
可以分享一些申请过程中的心得体会吗?
回顾整个申请季,我压力最大的时候是在投递后等待申请结果的阶段。还记得有一次我一个人大晚上到瓯江边闲逛散心,一边吹风一边就觉得申请结果似乎就是命中注定一般,我没有机会申上想去的项目了。那段时间我的状态就像一只待宰的羔羊,不仅仅是焦虑,更是极度缺乏安全感的。现在回想起来,万事总会有结局的,那段时间的很多情绪化真的没必要。所以希望大家不要过度沉溺在自己暂时无法控制的局面中,不要为没发生或者还没结果的事情而焦虑。
除此之外,大部分学生会纠结是diy还是找中介。我强烈建议大家diy,因为温肯有很多升学资源,比如留学指导、选校、修改文书等等,再加上英港网申流程都不复杂,自己完全可以搞定。
一般来说,英国不怎么有面试,但是有的项目会要求补材料递交video presentation和essay,比如华威大学的Global Media and Communication项目,在准备这一类材料的时候,我建议去寻找专业的核心课程和自己研究兴趣的交叉点,以此切入去准备材料。再有,港校是有面试环节的,具体的问题我认为是围绕专业知识和文书内容展开。所以一定要很熟悉自己的文书材料,在面试前要对课程做具体研究,也要明确毕业后的职业规划,确保面试的时候有话可说。
其实,我的兴趣是在PR,所以我尽可能选择和其相关的项目去投递,并没有选择申请纯粹的传播学方向,也因此受到过质疑。我想和大家说的是,“真诚且勇敢”是需要被贯穿整个申请季的,我们全程都要坚定自己的目标,并且勇敢地去执行和实现,不要在乎外界的压力和声音。包括后期面对申请的结果时也要学会“自洽”,逐梦的过程坚定自己的选择,跟从自己的内心就好。
#5
为什么会选择Fashion方向?
提到为什么会选择Fashion方向,最主要的原因是温肯的传播学侧重点在公共关系方向,我仍然想在毕业后继续从事相关领域的工作。在时尚行业,时尚公关对品牌的生命力起着重要作用。在我的观念里,创意和审美是互通的,也包括时尚公关、时尚写作和时尚广告,这些都和我本科所学息息相关。
再加上目前对于可持续发展和环境保护的重视,时装材料科学和可持续时尚得到了广泛关注,时尚行业有在顺应这一趋势,侧重可持续材料的使用并推动循环经济,减少对环境的影响。COMM3660 Intro to PR课程对我在这一方向上的选择起了关键作用。还记得在课上,Dr. Noew有很细致地讲解什么是CSR、ESG和SDG,这让我意识到如果做得正确,CSR campaign是公关中非常强大的工具。可持续时尚作为重大话题可以成为CSR策略之一,品牌不断通过媒体平台去传播消息不仅传递了品牌的社会责任感去提升形象,还可以和消费者以及利益相关者建立联系。
所以如果即将攻读的项目既能让我留在本科专业的领域,做我喜欢的工作,又可以顺应社会发展趋势,一举两得何乐而不为。
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HAN Lu
Senior
Communication (Public Relations)
Minor in Philosophy and Religion
Experiences and Honors:
Outstanding Graduates of Provincial Undergraduates in 2024
Zhejiang Provincial Government Scholarship for the Academic Years 2021, 2022, 2023
Dean’s First-Class Scholarship for the Academic Years 2021, 2022
Dean’s Research Innovation Scholarship for the Academic Year 2023
Dean’s Second Prize Scholarship for the Academic Year 2023
Offer List:
University of Edinburgh, MA in Language and Intercultural Communication
University of Edinburgh, MSc in Digital Sociology
University of Warwick, MA in Global Media and Communication
University of Leeds, MA in Communication and Media
University of Manchester, MSc International Fashion Retailing
Hong Kong Polytechnic University, MA in Sustainable Fashion and Innovation (Top 1 Fashion and Textile University in Asia)
1. Why did you choose to study at Wenzhou-Kean University? What has the College of Liberal Arts brought to you?
My connection with Wenzhou-Kean University can be attributed to its visual appeal, but it ultimately lies in its quality.
Initially, I was drawn to WKU’s campus aesthetics; everything from the campus environment to the facilities looked impressive, especially the top-notch dormitories. Furthermore, I have never identified with rigid educational systems and did not want to be confined by a high school-like environment. Thus, I sought the opportunity to explore beyond those confines. Although I was uncertain about my future career path at the time, I was clear that I wanted to pursue further education after getting my undergraduate degree in order to break free from the existing educational framework. Then, I noticed WKU, an American-style university in China, which would allow me to experience full English-taught classes and small class sizes within a familiar environment. Undoubtedly, this would better prepare me to adapt to the era of globalization and lay a solid foundation for my future academics. Additionally, WKU offers the Communication major, which I have long aspired to, made WKU my dream during the pandemic, and Communication became the passion of my heart.
The College of Liberal Arts is like a home to me, while the Communication major provides me with a strong sense of belonging. In the CLA, liberal arts education has exposed me to interdisciplinary courses, enabling me to study R programming in politics, law in philosophy, and architecture in history…… This has helped me enhance my reading and writing abilities, oral communication skills, comprehensive professional knowledge, and critical thinking abilities. During my high school years, I was not considered an academically excellent student, so I did not have many opportunities given to me. However, after entering the CLA and majoring in Communication, I encountered excellent professors who not only provided me with knowledge but also paid attention to me and offered me opportunities for practice and research. So, I’d love to say the CLA has not only provided me with meaningful assistance but has also to some extent healed me, making me realize that perhaps I am also a valuable presence and can make small contributions to the development of CLA and Communication major.
2. When it comes to experiences in course study, what advice can you offer to students?
When I was a freshman, my seniors helped me a lot, which taught me the importance of offering assistance to students if they need it.
Having worked as a student assistant in the CLA for four years, I am familiar with the common issues students face in their coursework or studies. One of the most common questions I encounter is how to improve GPA or which professors give higher grades. It seems like many students place great emphasis on their GPA and grades, and I acknowledge that grades are important, as they were once a concern for me, too. However, starting from my junior year, I gradually realized that process-oriented learning is more meaningful, especially in Communication courses, where each assignment requires the integration of creativity, critical thinking, and writing skills. Whenever I complete a final project at the end of the semester, I find that my practical skills and academic proficiency have improved gradually over the long term. Therefore, I became more convinced that I should focus on putting effort into each day’s learning and, more importantly, enjoy the learning process rather than solely concentrating on the results.
In terms of academics, my friends around me are all very hard working and outstanding. Whether it’s study methods or attitudes, I’ve learned a lot from them. I’m actually a bit of a playful person. Although I may appear to be studying every day on A3, I often find it hard to concentrate on studying for a long time. I remember that in my sophomore and junior years, I frequently criticized myself for being too playful. However, since the fall semester of my junior year, after slowly developing a growth mindset, I’ve become much more tolerant of myself and accustomed to not doing things perfectly. I am willing to give myself room to try and grow. I no longer reject my playful nature because I understand it’s a way for me to recharge. So, what I want is not just studying but learning to live.
The journey of learning is arduous and lengthy. I suggest not being overly tense about studying. It’s important to find time for your own life, whether it’s during weekday evenings or weekends. While others may be constantly moving forward, we shouldn’t compare ourselves to them. It’s essential to focus on our own pace; taking breaks is also a way to progress.
3. How did you explore your research/internship path? And how did you overcome challenges?
I believe that Communication studies, especially Public Relations, is a discipline of practice. Therefore, I have been more focused on internships.
In preparing a CV and searching for suitable positions, I recommend that everyone take the COMM3590 Business Communication course. This course provides detailed guidance on job searching, CV and cover letter writing, as well as simulating job interviews. I modified and submitted my internship and master application materials based on the foundation of this course.
Another aspect is how to choose a position that suits oneself. We often see various job descriptions (JDs) on job platforms, but it’s important not to believe or rely on these JDs overly. Many positions are actually quite complex, and sometimes, a few sentences in the JD are not enough to showcase the job content. For example, in Communication, the commonly encountered operational positions can be further subdivided into content operation, user operation, and new media operation, among others. It’s essential to delve deeper into the specific job content through social media or by consulting senior students with internship experience to select suitable positions better.
During the application process, I suggest that everyone be confident and not think that some companies or positions with high thresholds will look down on them. In fact, one advantage we have at WKU when looking for internships during winter and summer breaks is that our semester ends earlier than other universities. So, if a company happens to need interns urgently when you submit your, and there are relatively few competitors, your chances of being hired will be much higher. Lastly, whether it’s further education or job hunting, it’s important to understand what you truly want and to plan ahead for yourself.
In terms of research, I’ve attended three international conferences covering topics such as gender studies, film studies, and online dating. While these experiences have certainly broadened my horizons, I must admit that I never quite found my comfort zone in research until my senior year. It was then, with a clearer vision of my future plans and under the guidance of Dr. Hooi San Noew for my thesis, that I finally identified my interest in organizational communication.
I utilized the quantitative method to explore the impact of social media usage in the workplace on Leader-member Exchange (LMX) and problem-solving styles. What I’ve learned impressively is that the process of writing a thesis should never be done in isolation. I remember encountering various challenges in almost every chapter, prompting me to seek guidance from Dr. Noew regularly. Her insights and directions always brought clarity, motivating me to revise and refine my paper repeatedly.
This not only helped me navigate through my thesis with fewer obstacles but also injected a sense of “drive” into my future research path. Therefore, adopting an open-minded and sincere attitude forms the foundation of thesis writing, while taking action is the crucial key to completing it. I would like to express my gratitude to Dr. Noew for her invaluable help and support throughout the course and thesis work. She has been not just a supervisor but also a friend, guiding me every step of the way.
4. Can you share insights and experiences during the application process?
Looking back on the entire application season, the time when I felt the most pressure was during the waiting period after submitting my applications, waiting for the results. I remember one night, I went for a walk alone by the Ou River to relax. As I felt the breeze, I started to feel like the application results were somehow predetermined, and I wouldn’t have the opportunity to be accepted into the program I dreamed of. During that time, my state of mind was like a lamb waiting to be slaughtered, filled not only with anxiety but also with an extreme lack of security. Now looking back, I realize that everything will eventually come to an end, and many of the emotional ups and downs during that time were truly unnecessary. So, I hope everyone won’t dwell too much on situations that they temporarily cannot control and not be anxious about things that haven’t happened or don’t have results yet.
Besides, most students struggle with whether to do it themselves or use an agency. I strongly recommend that everyone do it themselves because WKU provides many resources, such as study abroad guidance, school selection, and personal statement editing. Also, the online application process is not complicated at all, so we can completely handle it ourselves.
Generally speaking, in the UK, there aren’t many interviews during the master’s application process, but some programs may require supplementary materials such as video presentations and essays. For example, Warwick’s Global Media and Communication program. When preparing these types of materials, I suggest looking for the intersection of core courses in your field and your research interests and using this as a starting point to prepare the materials. Besides, universities in Hong Kong have interviews, and the specific questions are usually centered around your expertise and the content of your personal statement. So, it’s essential to be very familiar with your personal statement, do some research on the core courses in the curriculum before the interview, and have a clear idea of your career plans after graduation to ensure you have something to say during the interview.
In fact, my interest lies in PR, so I tried to apply for programs related to it as much as possible rather than purely focusing on communication studies, which has led to some questioning. What I want to say to everyone is that “sincerity and bravery” need to be integrated throughout the entire “application season”. We must hold onto our inner thoughts firmly and execute and achieve them bravely, regardless of external pressures and voices. This includes learning to be “self-consistent” when facing the results of applications later on. There is no standard answer in the process of pursuing dreams, remaining firm in our choices, and following our hearts.
5. Why did you choose the Fashion track?
The main reason for choosing the Fashion track is that WKU’s Communication major focuses primarily on Public Relations, and I still aim to pursue related work after graduation. In the fashion industry, fashion PR plays a crucial role in the vitality of brands. In my view, creativity and aesthetics are interconnected, including fashion PR, fashion writing, and fashion advertising, all of which are closely related to my undergraduate studies.
Moreover, with the current emphasis on sustainable development and environmental protection, there has been widespread attention to fashion material science and sustainable fashion. The fashion industry is aligning with this trend by emphasizing the use of sustainable materials and promoting the circular economy to reduce environmental impact. Notably, the COMM3660 Intro to PR course played a key role in my choice of this track. I remember Dr. Noew’s detailed explanation of CSR, ESG, and SDGs in the class. This made me realize that if done correctly, CSR campaigns are powerful tools in PR. Sustainable fashion, as a significant topic, can be one of the CSR strategies. Brands continuously disseminating messages through media platforms not only convey the brand’s sense of social responsibility to enhance its image but also establish connections with consumers and stakeholders.
Therefore, if my master’s program allows me to stay in the field of my undergraduate major, do work I enjoy, and align with societal development trends, it’s a win-win situation.
I am grateful that in my four years at CLA, the Communication major here is not a one-way street but vast open fields. No matter which stream one chooses, they will eventually have their own vast sea of stars.
文字 / 韩璐
图片 / 韩璐
排版 / 周雨滢
责编 / 人文学院