Two Fields, One Future: Making the Most of a Dual Major

Being a double major has between extremely challenging and rewarding at the same time. I'm double-majoring in business administration with a management concentration and communication studies with an organizational concentration. I hope this ambitious goal sets me apart from my peers and makes me a more marketable candidate when it comes to applying for jobs. 

I've been taking classes every single semester, including every winter and summer break, just to be able to graduate in four years. If I remained with only one major, I would've graduated early but knew that I wanted to make the very most of my time at Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg. I figured the sacrifices I'm making now by giving up my winter and summer breaks to work and take classes to get ahead will be worth it and only benefit me as I enter the business world.

The biggest strengths I've developed so far are a strong interdisciplinary skill set, enhanced leadership and teambuilding skills, career versatility, better problem-solving, and conflict management approaches. 

I'll carry these strengths and newly developed skills with me into my professional career after I graduate. It's not been a super easy time, being a double major and taking all required classes for both majors, including general education courses, Honors courses and capstone project, communication internship, and more. I've had one heavy academic journey, but despite the scheduling conflicts, I've always found a way to make it all work.

My parents are both teachers, but I wanted to follow a new and different path for myself. I honestly was not entirely sure what I wanted to do or study, but I knew I wanted to pick a major and start taking classes for my major in my first semester. 

I came to Bloomsburg as a communication studies major after declaring my major on Husky Decision Day back in April of my senior year of high school. An alum spoke at one of the sessions that day and said that she was a communication studies major and worked with Eli Manning once. I remember her sharing her story and that was all I needed to hear to know that I wanted to study the same thing. 

Eli Manning is my favorite athlete, and I think it would be the coolest thing in the world to be able to work with him someday too. I chose the organizational concentration because I wanted to learn how to communicate with diverse groups of people within different organizations.

After getting through my first semester, I wanted to challenge myself to make the most of my college experience. During the holiday break, I spoke with my aunt and uncle who are both in the business field. 

My aunt is in the pharmaceutical sales industry and told me she thought I would like sales. She suggested I pursue a major in professional sales and marketing. She's very smart, and I knew she would help lead me in the right direction. After taking my first classes within the Zeigler College of Business, I knew I made the right decision.

During the beginning of my junior year, I had a moment of realization. I did not want to limit myself in any way with being a specific major, so I made the move to something more diverse and applicable to all areas of business.

And that was business administration. 

I chose the management concentration because one day I want to be a leader and hold a higher position within a company and wanted my education experience to best prepare me for that. I really enjoy my management classes and like how they cover different industries such as finance and supply chain. 

My favorite management class is one I'm currently taking. It's a Zoom class — organizational behavior — with Dr. (Darrin) Kass. Even though it's online, he makes it super fun and engaging. My favorite chapter we've covered so far is Positive Organizational Behavior, which is the study and application of positively oriented human resource strengths and psychological capacities in today’s workplace.

In May, I'll be graduating with my undergrad in two different degrees: a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) and a Bachelor of Arts (BA). I'm also considering pursuing a Master of Business Administration upon graduation.

It's important to continue learning and expanding your knowledge even when you have a full-time job. There's always something new to learn. I'm very excited to see where my professional career takes me and to be a lifelong learner!

— Lillie Corino, a senior business administration and communication studies major at Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg with an emphasis in management and organizational communication, is interning with the Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications this fall. She's a native of Bucks County who enjoys spending time with her family, pets, ESA, watching Friends, seeing Morgan Wallen in concert, playing lacrosse, and going shopping with her mom.

#BloomOnward #HuskyLife

No sweating the missed exits

So, senior year… what a bundled mess of stress.

Nothing really goes as planned, ever. Who was going to tell me how many curve balls this world was going to throw me?

Going through heartbreak is one of the hardest things I’ve ever been through. And I've (almost) been through college. Crazy to say I only have one more semester to go. Nothing has ever been this challenging for me emotionally.

So, what did I do about it? Cry. A lot. I’m human, I can’t help it.

Thank goodness for the friendships I built throughout college. My two closest friends are now my roommates. They bring so much support, joy, and warmth into my life.

Who else brings me happiness? My lovely dad.

He has always been there for me. We are like two peas in a pod. Or we would say, “like coffee and creamer.” (we don’t actually say that – I just know he would agree with that comparison and think it represented us).

This boyfriend of mine was a major part of my life, and it was hard getting back on track after he was gone. So, I turned to my roommates, my friends, my brother, and ultimately my dad. He knew exactly what I was going through and knew just how to help.

It felt like I had so much more free time to myself! It was great. Or so it seemed up until I got bored. I turned to journaling to write down my feelings. Pencil to paper is so healing. I feel like I wrote more this week than in my communication courses.

I turned to music in my free time. Blasting Taylor Swift in the shower is a must. Turning up to Olivia Rodrigo in my car rides to work is unmatched. Don’t Blame Me, 22, Bejeweled, I Did Something Bad. Logical, vampire, favorite rime, happier, and 1 step forward, 3 steps back.

Looking back, maybe it was necessary to take time for myself. To really focus on my academics, my friendships, and my family. Suddenly, I had time to hang out with the closest people in my life! The best part of the work-life balance in my opinion.

Recently, my dad visited me to have a father-daughter day! We drove to lunch first then to Selinsgrove after. But, this was no regular trip.

Remember when I said that things don't typically go as planned? Well, that fully applies for this outing. We were on the road for longer than expected. Why? We missed an exit! We got so invested in our conversation that we lost track of the signs on the road and drove right by our exit. I’m taking this as a positive. To get so distracted by a quality conversation with your favorite person is such a blessing.

This 30-minute drive to lunch quickly turned into a 2-hour drive for lunch! And it was to a BBQ joint on top of a mountain overlooking the river called Skeeters. What a great, picturesque view, accompanied by even better food! What an experience this was. But, let me tell you, the destination was so worth it. Worth the time and distress. Because there’s something great waiting at the end.

This stage of my life is definitely the car ride on the highway with multiple missed exits. It feels like nothing is going as planned. I’m sure I’ll get to my BBQ joint soon. It will be okay.

— Kathryn Henriksen, a senior communication studies major at Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg with an emphasis on organizational communication, is interning with the Office of Marketing and Communications this fall. She is a native of Pottstown who loves Andy Grammer, Nutella, and all 10 seasons of Friends.

#BloomOnward #HuskyLife

Life is best with balance

School can be a lot at times. I know, who can’t relate?

Not sure why it took me three years and six semesters to realize that college is way more than just going to classes. It’s important to invest yourself into the campus culture. You know as they say … get involved, put yourself out there, meet people.

By the end of last year, I found myself active in three clubs. Something almost impossible for me to make time for in high school with my 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule. Then my day ended with field hockey practice and games after school. It felt like I only had time for homework afterwards.

I figured college would be different. But this different?

I love how college offers so much diversity, allowing you to pick up new interests, join clubs, and build friendships. However, this can all end up being a lot by your senior year. Somehow, year after year my classes and extracurriculars added up to be a little too much for me to handle. After a day on campus, I would barely have time to talk to my roommates.

Even as a senior in college, I can’t seem to get this down. I thought I could handle all of the clubs and classes alongside my internship and job. Some people — like my boyfriend, Ben — can function off three hours of sleep.

But for me, I NEED the eight hours.

I knew some changes needed to be made as I got to the second week of classes. I got a calendar to write down my day-to-day schedule. I made it a priority to schedule time for rest. College is a time for discovering yourself and that comes with realizing what’s best for you. For me, I was overwhelmed and wrote down my classes and club meetings on my lovely TJ Maxx calendar, which I use every day.

I now have time for quality time with my roommates, Sophie and Annie. Baking cookies in my apartment with my two favorite girls is an essential part to my time here at Bloomsburg. I tend to think I can do it all, but I know I’m not a superhero. Humans have limits. And, crazy enough, we are human. It’s necessary to have a social life and time to yourself!

Have fun while you can and make the most out of these four years with your roommates. These are the times you’ll remember. We spent time on the little couch in our living watching horror movies anxiously stuffing Pop-secret popcorn into our mouths are the nights. As someone that’s terrified of gory horror movies, watching the Chainsaw Massacre absolutely traumatized me.

All three of us would congregate in the living room and kitchen area catching up on our days like we haven’t seen each other in years. A core memory of college. Enjoying family dinner as we all cook our own little meals together on Mondays. This recent week featured two versions of stir-fry and homemade tacos that lasted us all week!

Sophie, Annie, and I realized that a great hack to being a college student on a low budget is cooking meals on Monday and eating them throughout the week! We love to meal prep and act like adults in our little kitchen. Doing this together on Mondays is a new tradition of ours we look forward to. It gets us pumped for the week as we encourage each other.

Make intentional time for yourself. You might not think you need it, but college is also a time of self-discovery. Some self-reflection is important to find your true self. I value my time in college for allowing me to experience self-discovery. When I reflect, I consider how I feel in the morning, before my class, after an exam, and at night when the day is complete. When the emotions reveal themselves, I better understand my needs. Journaling with my precious BIC pencil in my little pink notebook helps to ground myself in the mornings. De-compressing on my dark brown couch after a long day of classes at 4:30 p.m. calms me down.

Putting on my favorite TV series, FRIENDS and mindlessly scrolling through TikTok allows me to escape but also laugh hysterically. FRIENDS has always been there for me. It’s literally in their intro song, “I’ll be there for you.” They do not fail. They make me laugh when I’m already happy, cheer me up when I’m down, and comfort me no matter what. At this point, it is background noise as I do my homework or scroll through Instagram and TikTok. My recent obsession on TikTok is funny videos like the @sturnoliotriplets late at night.

Times like this allow me to enjoy life’s purest moments. It brings me joy and peace during overwhelming times. I’m having fun while having time for myself. I can perform better in my studies, hangout with friends in my free-time, exercise at the rec center, and chat with friends on my way to class. It may seem like a lot all at once to try and balance everything.

Annie always says to just do “one thing at a time.”

Life is best with balance. I would see my roommates sitting on the couch with their stir fry and realize I might be too busy if I don’t have intentional time to eat and chat. My senior year is supposed to be fun and more relaxed. I am going to make that happen. My last year at Bloomsburg is looking like the best yet!

The next chapter comes sooner than you know it! I didn't believe them when they said that time flies in college. But now that I’m a senior, there’s no truer statement.

— Kathryn Henriksen, a senior communication studies major at Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg with an emphasis on organizational communication, is interning with the Office of Marketing and Communications this fall. She is a native of Pottstown who loves Andy Grammer, Nutella, and all 10 seasons of Friends.

#BloomOnward #HuskyLife

And just like that it’s over

Maybe for many college is just college. To them it’s simple. You attend classes, make friends, identify a career path and graduate. Then you move on to your adult life. That’s the plan, simple and sweet.

But to me, college ended up being so much more. Bloomsburg University was a gift.

I can honestly say this place has shaped me into a person I’m very proud of. I have direction. I have confidence. I have appreciation, and I now have perspective. I owe Bloomsburg a huge thank you for that. Thank you Bloomsburg for giving me my people. People who became friends. Friends who became my family.

I learned that when surrounding yourself with the right people you will only end up with positive, contagious energy. That’s how I know found the right group.

Not just any people, but the best people. No one can say they are leaving with a group of people like I am. Not only did you give me these people, but I’m lucky enough to be leaving with them. They’re my people.

Thank you Bloomsburg for helping me to grow and clearly see what matters. You revealed so much to me, shedding light on who the real people are in my life.

This four-year journey, a road traveled with many ups and downs has led me to this end where I see those who’ve kept pace. These are the people you want in your life. I’ve finally learned to let go, and thank you Bloomsburg for that lesson. It suits me well.

Here I am in my last days in Bloomsburg, and I can’t help but think if I didn’t go this school, without these people would I be the same person?

It’s easy to miss people, miss a place, but I am going to miss this time in my life. I never realized when people say this is the best four years of your life... but dang they were right.

It's the end of an era, and it feels like the worst break up in my life. I had so many firsts here. I vividly remember my first drive here, and now I must face my last drive home.

I don’t want to say the word home, because this is my home... or was my home. I'm so lucky I have a place in my life to be so difficult to leave.

And just like that it’s over. I wish I would've told myself freshman year, don’t blink.

— Annie Pitts, senior communication studies major #AGreatPlaceToBeYou #HuskyLife

I say the Bloom Us, because it's a different us

Well, here we are. I waited until the end to write my goodbye to you, because I knew it would be the hardest.

It wasn’t the dorms that brought us together, or a class, or a club; it was solely because we were meant to be best friends. I've never met someone so much like me, yet so different.

I love the way I can smirk at you, and you know exactly what I’m thinking. Sometimes our telepathy scares me. We basically have our own language, because no one understands us when we talk. I never am not laughing with you. Usually laugh at ourselves and the unfortunate events in our lives but at least I know I have someone to laugh with me.

Though we have spent every waking minute together, you would think we would get sick of each other, but we never have. Guess that’s when you know when you’ve become best friends.

I’m going to miss you the most. Not like missing you because I'll never see you or talk to you again, but I'm going to miss this. Here ... us, the Bloom Us.

I say the Bloom Us, because it's a different us. The Bloom Us is by each other's side everyday. We’re together so much. We know our schedules. After graduation we won’t be able to walk four houses down to each other. Clearly, leaving this place our relationship won’t change, but the Bloomsburg relationship is coming to an end. That’s what I'm sad to say goodbye to.

Closing this chapter has made me realize the special place this place has in my heart. I know this is the place where we had the most cherished memories together. It's where we grew together and became best friends.

We grew in so many ways. We matured. We shared hardships. I’m glad we did. Through it all we now can recognize what's real.

Though throughout these four years we had different paths, we still had the same intersection. I promise that wont change. Not only did we grow together, but we found our people together. Our crew. Thank you to my Bloomsburg Crew, for the best four years I could have asked for.

Haley, Jul, Amy, Taylor Brooke, and Rachel: People like you guys have changed my outlook on life when I found you all as my people. I never had such good vibes. Not many can say we had an entire group of people who stuck with each other for the whole four years.

These laughs will forever stay the same. Just now, there will be a little more distance in between them.

— Annie Pitts, senior communication studies major #AGreatPlaceToBeYou #HuskyLife

The boys across the hall

Let’s be honest, you weren’t my favorite people in the world. But look at us now, one of my hardest goodbyes.

I didn’t believe that being somewhere at the exact moment in time mattered for certain things to happen, but I was wrong. It does.

Without Bloomsburg University assigning me to Elwell Hall - ground floor - dorm G29. I would’ve never met not only my first Bloom friends but my best friends.

It’s weird to think the very first people I met on move-in day would be in my life for the next four years. You two were my brothers away from home. I had you for the laughs and for the venting, both essential things for me surviving freshmen year … actually these four years.

You can definitely say I was never bored with you guys. Always trying to get under our CA skin, and constantly trying to cause some kind of ruckus in the hallway. Even if I was laughing, after four years, you’re still not funny. Well, Jimmy I guess you’re a little funny.

Living one foot away from each other was not easy trust me. Besides hearing the constant sound of knocking on my door, every day, I would wake up to either music blasting through the hallway and fall asleep your obnoxiously loud voices fighting over FIFA.

Little disclosure, I used to try and sneak in my dorm without you guys knowing I was there so I could be alone for five minutes max. Soon, I’m going to wish for those knocks.

Every time I see you Jimmy, there’s that goofy smile. Instant good mood. I could always count on that, and soon I’ll be needing one with no Jimmy in sight.

And Jack, you’ve always been there … literally. I would’ve told you how much I appreciate you, but I didn’t want to give you too much confidence. Knowing you … I wouldn’t hear the last of it.

I can’t picture my life without you two. I consider myself the luckiest freshman being placed in that dorm. I'm even now the luckiest senior knowing that our friendship won’t just stop after college.

Thank you, Bloomsburg. Thank you for giving me Jimmy and Jack ... "The boys across the hall."

— Annie Pitts, senior communication studies major #AGreatPlaceToBeYou #HuskyLife

So not ready for this

These goodbyes are not going to be easy. I figured they wouldn’t, but it doesn’t help … and I haven’t even gotten to them yet. Dang ... Liz, I’m going to miss you.

You are the funniest, most caring and beautiful person I know. Your contagious good energy gave me a new aspect on life. I’ve learned how to not care and just let things go. Thank you. There aren’t enough people like you in this world, Liz.

My 1,000-picture photo album of you is one of my most prized possessions and making your Tri Sigma scrapbook will be one of the greatest, yet hardest tasks of my life. Capturing your best moments at Bloomsburg University these past three years has been awesome, mainly because I got to share them with you and knowing you’ll have these memories forever.

I’ve put a lot of pressure on this scrapbook, which circles from Bids Night to the Phillies game and around all of those random candids, because I want you to remember not only how much BU has loved you but how much I have too. I may have taken the Big role a little too serious, but you were my first little sister. I’m sorry … but worth it, right?

I remember Po and I instantly clicking with you, and knew you were a combination of each of us. Little did I know you would go on to have such an impact on my life.

Without joining Tri Sigma, I wouldn't have met you and gained this type of relationship. Without joining Tri Sigma, I would’ve never met all these amazing sisters who each have helped me grow into the person I am.

Thank you, Bloomsburg University. Thank you for giving me Tri Sigma and my Little … Liz.

It’s different saying goodbye to all my friends, because we’re all leaving this spring and have to figure out our next step together. Liz, you’re different.

You’re different because I’m leaving you behind. I have to watch you enjoy your last year over social media instead of living it alongside you. I have to hear about your life over the phone, instead of walking three feet down Lightstreet.

Planning to talk to you over the phone is just an early reminder how far apart we will be. I’ll miss being able to claim you as my little person, but I’m excited for you. Trust me, I am.

It’s one more year for you, so do everything you love most about this place. I have two months left, so I know how fast it goes. Being tired or stressed out doesn’t last, but the memories with your best friends do.

— Annie Pitts, senior communication studies major #AGreatPlaceToBeYou #HuskyLife

One last drive back

I’ve pictured my final days of college my whole life, and it’s finally here. I still can’t believe it.

It hit me on the drive back to Bloomsburg from my home in West Chester. I used to hate the thought of driving two hours in a car, but in the course of my four years it was something I grew to love. It's two hours alone of reflection for me to think and listen to my favorite country songs on the loudest volume.

However, this last drive back to Bloomsburg was not one I was looking forward to.

It was the last “back to school” car ride, and I was fully aware of that. I felt as if I was doing more thinking then belting out to my music. I knew what this drive meant. It meant my last drive to this town. It meant that everything I was about to be doing the minute I entered the town was my last. I admit, it’s a bit strange to now be saying, “My last ..." It seems like yesterday I was just saying, “My first ...”

My first semester, my first class, my first college friend, etc. Thankful for all “my firsts,” because I fell in love with this school in a way I never expected to, just wishing for the summer to end so I would be able to come back.

Without all these firsts, I would have never been the person who I am today. That first week of that first semester started a new beginning of a new me. Even after four years, you're never quite sure what a semester will bring you. It’s funny how each semester has a different feeling to it. The seasons are completely different and the mood of each changes.

The obvious difference of the days being shorter in the winter, a positive vibe emerges when the sign of snow is melting and warmth is coming. Having the constant reminder this being the “season finale,” seniors want to get in as much fun as possible.

Roughly two weeks into my last — ah, there it is — "my last ... semester" I can see my senioritis kicking in. I just want to be able to savor every moment I have before I no longer can. 

How can I focus on school when trying to get a job? How can I focus when I have limited time with these people ... my Bloom people?

You never realize how much you change over four years. It’s not a drastic type of change but it’s a type of growth that hits you on your senior year. A growth that allows you to look back on your three years and think “she was so young, so naïve.”

It’s a growth that allows you to see the people who are there for you and those who are not. It’s a growth that allows you to see the skills you have when taking on the real world, and the growth you have to look back and thank this place for giving me the memories I'll have forever.

— Annie Pitts, senior communication studies major #AGreatPlaceToBeYou #HuskyLife