Isisi Akogun is an international graduate student in the Corporate and Public Communication program.
Student Spotlight: Isisi Akogun is an international graduate student in the Corporate and Public Communication program. She chose to become a Nole due to FSU’s reputation, campus atmosphere, and its history and tradition.
Where are you from? Why did you choose to attend FSU?
I am Nigerian, born and raised. I moved to the UK where I completed my college education, moved back to my country to work for a few years before moving to the U.S. I choose to attend FSU for a few reasons such as its reputation as a preeminent university, its academic reputation, and amazing campus atmosphere. In addition, the history and tradition associated with FSU would make any student want to become a Nole!
What inspired you to choose your degree program?
I was going through a transition in my career, I had already earned a graduate degree in International Human Resource Management in the UK. However, after I graduated I found myself in mostly communication roles. Communication is a field I got interested in because business and other aspects of life are built on relationships. Good communication skills are necessary for successful relationships, whether business or friendship, and I have discovered that much of what I have learned can be used in everyday life just by engaging with others.
What has your experience been so far in the program?
It has been great! It took me a while to get used to being back in school because I had been working for three years prior. However everyone has been really warm and helpful, it is a small campus and department. The professors are more than willing to help in whatever way they can. They are all extremely knowledgeable in their areas and genuinely care. I have also had great and supportive classmates who have made the experience even better.
What aspect of your area of study do you find most fascinating?
I think learning about interpersonal relationships and group dynamics. I found most of the things I learned applied not just to the workplace but also in my personal life. I have always been interested in understanding myself and people better, so learning about this has been good.
Who are the faculty or staff members that have helped or inspired you?
This is a difficult question because all the faculty and staff I have encountered have been extremely warm and helpful. Before I arrived on campus Dr. Irvin Clark was my point of contact and helped make the process go smoothly. In my 1st semester, I took a statistics class taught by Dr. Sellers, which was very challenging for me. I had zero background in statistics and have never been a huge fan of numbers. He was helpful to all of us, we could tell he cared and wanted us to learn. He went out of his way to make the class as easy to understand as possible. Thank you, Dr. Sellers!
Mrs. Jemison, with whom I work with in the student affairs office, has also been extremely encouraging and supportive. She has gone out of her way on multiple occasions to make me feel comfortable and welcome.
What do you like to do when you’re not doing schoolwork?
When I am not doing school work I am usually cuddled up on the sofa with a book, out with friends, listening to my favorite podcasts, or watching a tv show.
After you graduate, what are your plans?
The sky is just the starting point, I plan to continue to pursue my interest in research and academia. I also intend to continue to visit new places and improve my French.
What advice do you have for fellow students?
Pace Yourself! That would be my advice. It is easy to get overwhelmed with school work. College is not easy and we all want to stay on top of all our coursework and assignments. But it is important to pace yourself and take a breather when you get the chance. I would also advise students to speak to their academic advisors, take full advantage of the resources offered by the school i.e Career advice, Counseling services, Mentorship services, etc.