“I’m from Huntington Beach, California. I knew that I wanted to go out of state, so I applied to all out-of-state schools: Colorado, Idaho and Utah. This was the only school that I actually toured.

I had a friend who also applied, who I went to high school with, who was going to tour the U campus, and I thought, ‘Oh, I should probably do that too.’ That’s how I ended up out here.

I came with my parents and we all loved it. They were very excited about it.

I was very busy throughout high school, with multiple sports, and also this business program I was a part of. I figured with college, I would only have school to worry about, and that alone was a big enough workload.

That was early on, but today I’m very excited, it’s my senior year. I know it’s bittersweet for a lot of people, but I think I’m really taking it all in and enjoying it and ready for that next chapter of my life after graduation.

Having that self-sufficiency and the opportunity to get a good career in public relations is just so awesome. I’m really trying to make the most of my time here at college because I know not everybody gets to be on that track. So I’m just really appreciating the opportunity that I have here. It’s what’s getting me through.

My involvement as vice president of membership for my sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma, helped me gain the skills and confidence to pursue my involvement as a leader in the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). Serving as vice president of our University of Utah Chapter of PRSSA has really helped me narrow down my career goals in communications and connect more with my major.

As a leader on the board, I have been able to connect with more peers and encourage communications students to enhance their learning through involvement with PRSSA. It’s opened me up to so many opportunities, such as attending this year’s PRSSA conference in Washington, D.C.

In general, going to college out of state was the right choice for me. It got me away from my comfort zone and pushed me out there. I’ve grown so much from freshman year to now, and I don’t know where I’d be without that experience, so I’m very grateful for it.”

—Shae Hanson-Gadomski is majoring in strategic communications with a business minor and serves as the vice president of U’s chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA)