Posted October 3, 2018
By Ashley Busnuk; Edited by Abe Danaher, communications assistant
Hadley Berg credits the accelerated master's program in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications for allowing her to continue her education immediately after completing her bachelor’s.
Berg, a former student athlete at the University of South Carolina, graduated with a marketing and management degree in May 2018. But before her graduation date had even arrived, Berg had already begun working towards her Master of Mass Communication through the school’s accelerated program.
“I honestly don’t know that I would have pursued a master’s degree directly after college had it not been for this program,” said Berg. “So I am extremely grateful for that, especially with the practicum experience that is included.”
Berg began the accelerated program during her last undergraduate semester, where she took two graduate classes. She then took two more graduate courses during the summer semester as well.
“I already feel more grounded with the material and a little bit less behind. I feel much more prepared and ready to use all of my resources throughout the SJMC,” said Berg.
Berg said that the flexibility of the program allowed her to serve as a volunteer assistant coach for the women’s tennis team at USC while she pursued her graduate degree.
“The fact that I was able to start the program last semester and stay on track to be graduated within the year, along with the timeline of my coaching duties is huge,” said Berg. “The timing of classes fits perfectly with my on-court job as well as night jobs.”
In the future, Hadley hopes to be running the marketing side of a communications company out west through specific content writing and consumer interaction.
Ashley Busnuk is a first-year graduate M.M.C. student in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications. She is a graduate assistant in the communications office and a journalism teaching assistant. Busnuk is working towards a career in marketing and creative advertising in the tourism industry.