I’ve realized lately how grateful I am that my college experience has pushed me out of my comfort zone. Specifically, being a Mass Communications major routinely forces me to into unfamiliar situations. I wouldn’t naturally choose some of these assignments, but they have been instrumental to continue growing me both as a person and as a rising professional.

There are many aspects of my major that I enjoy and which come naturally to me. But there are others that I’ve embraced because I want to learn new skills and grow as an individual by stepping out of my comfort zone and innate strengths.

Here are just a few ways I’ve been stretched and strengthened.

Reaching Out

Mass Communications is exactly what it sounds like—communicating to a wide audience.

And it involves making phone calls, driving to new locations to meet new people, and asking people you don’t know well or at all to give of their time because you have an assignment and need 3 interviews.

I really dislike phone calls. I feel uncomfortable going to new places by myself. And, most of all, I feel like a pest when I’m constantly asking for people’s opinions or help with a project.

Being forced to consistently reach out to others in a variety of ways has helped me realize that I’m not bothering others; I’m giving them an opportunity to have a voice. It has shown me that I’m competent; I have successfully conducted multiple phone interviews, obtained needed information, and sought out sources whom I’d not previously known even when I felt out of my depth doing so.

Being an introvert, I’d rather stick to myself and do work on my own. Mass Comm has pushed me to interact with others in healthy and growing ways that only compliment my strengths.

Technology

Normal people look at me, see youthfulness, and assume that I sprang from the womb with an inherent knowledge of all things technical. But I know the secret: I am naturally as inept with a remote or program as a grandma.

Needless to say, entering a field which hinges strongly on new technology and constant adaptation to said technology is slightly daunting.

Both in the classroom and outside of it, I have begun intentionally pushing myself to learn new technology and become comfortable adapting to changes. Yes, there is still a learning curve, but I have to learn new software or at least new uses for that software in almost every Mass Comm class.

My coursework has pushed me to grow in confidence and skill in this rather practical area. With encouragement from professors and peers alike—and little thrills of excitement when I am able to edit video or manipulate a design element—I now recognize that technology is no different from any other field. If you put your mind to it, you can learn… and even have fun doing so!

The Dreaded Camera

I distinctly remember feeling awe, even as an older teen, towards those skilled individuals who could use a camera and confidently shoot video—or who could get in front of one and pull off an air of friendly ease.

Then, a video camera was thrust into my hand, and I was suddenly supposed to be that skilled individual who could frame shots, adjust settings, set up interviews, adjust audio, do a stand-up, plan sequences, and edit all the pieces into a decent finished project.

My first electronic media class was one of the most stretching classes I’ve taken, but I learned so much. I even grew to enjoy the video process! (Most of the time.) And though jumping in front of a camera still isn’t my natural inclination, I know that I can do so and pull it off with poise and competence.

A Word of Encouragement

Comfortable isn’t always good. Even if it is painful, push yourself to get out of your comfort zone. You’ll learn from the experience and gain skills that translate to life at large.

Who knows? You may even begin to enjoy that activity that once terrified you—but you’ll never know till you try.