A Conversation with Satori Smith, Queens Alumna and Master of Arts in Communication Student

When Satori Smith arrived at Queens University of Charlotte from her home country of Bermuda, she was eager to challenge herself and make the most of her college experience. She quickly discovered professors who encouraged her, a campus that gave her room to grow, and opportunities that helped her define her goals. After earning her bachelor’s degree, Satori decided she wasn’t finished yet. She jumped straight into the Master of Arts in Communication program here at Queens, eager to build on her experiences and take the next step in her academic and professional journey.

We recently chatted with Satori to hear more about her journey as a Royal.

Queens Marketing and Communications: What made you decide Queens was the right fit for you?

Satori Smith: After I toured Queens, I immediately felt at home. The beautiful campus stood out to me the most, and I could visually see myself on campus. That’s when I made my decision to come to Queens.

Q: What did you study during your undergraduate years at Queens, and what drew you to that field?
S: I studied literary studies and professional writing and rhetoric. Growing up, English was always my favorite subject. I always had my head stuck in a book, immersed in the story and the world the writer created. I always knew I wanted to study literature. When I came to Queens, my advisor, Dr. McCrary, informed me about professional writing and rhetoric courses. I took an introductory class with her and immediately fell in love with learning about rhetoric and how it is used in everyday life. My favorite parts were studying different theories and ways we as humans use rhetoric to get things done.

Q: What were some of the highlights of your undergraduate experience?
S: At Queens, I found a sense of community not only amongst the student body, but also the staff who served as mentors to me. During my time at Queens, I enjoyed making a difference by serving as a writing tutor in The Center for Student Success, working in the library, sunny days spent on the quad with friends, class discussions, and more.

Q: What inspired you to continue your education at Queens in the Master of Arts in Communication (MACom) program?
S: When deciding on my post-grad plans, I knew that I wanted to pursue my master’s in communication, and there’s no other place I’d want to do it than Queens. I knew it would be easier for me to transition from undergraduate to graduate studies with the familiarity and support of Queens. I was also given the opportunity to be the graduate assistant for The Center for Student Success to oversee tutoring operations. This is a full circle for me, because being a writing tutor was extremely rewarding and fulfilling.

Q: What extracurricular activities or organizations have you participated in at Queens?
S: I’ve been an international student ambassador, writing tutor, panhellenic president, Sigma Tau Delta president, and library worker.

Q: How did you find your recent internship at the Mint Museum? Can you describe your experience interning there?
S: I secured my internship at the Mint Museum thanks to Queens. When I attended Schmoozapalooza (a professional networking social event hosted by the Vandiver Center for Career Development), I got to speak with the hiring managers from the museum, and after I introduced myself, they encouraged me to apply! My summer at The Mint Museum was so transformative and amazing. I was able to hone in on my skills in marketing and also learn about art museum operations and all that goes into curating and putting on an exhibition. My supervisor, Chelsea Hidalgo, gave me so much creative freedom and allowed me to push myself outside of my comfort zone and create content that did really well. I also was able to fall in love with art this summer and would often spend my lunch breaks in the galleries looking at art.

Q: What’s one lesson you learned from your internship that you’ll carry with you moving forward?
S: Don’t be afraid to ask for help or another set of eyes to look over your work. I always thought asking for help was a sign of weakness, but this summer I learned that getting a new perspective can be extremely helpful when crafting a project!

Q: How do you see your Queens experience shaping your future career?
S: Being a Queens student, I have had so many opportunities to experience things that have shaped my future career path. Queens truly sets its students up for success. After graduating with my master’s degree, I hope to work in social media marketing in an art museum or a non-profit organization.