Paige's Passion for PR and People

Host David Mogolis interviews Paige on the Campus and Character podcast after she is named the #1 public relations student at Commonwealth University Bloomsburg Campus. Paige shares that she started college planning to study pharmacy at Wilkes University, transferred to Bloomsburg to pursue mass communications because she wanted a more people-centered environment, and previously earned college credits while still in high school through attending Bloomsburg classes. She explains why she chose PR, describes two internships (PR for Bloomsburg’s art galleries and social media/marketing for 10 Mile Mushrooms), and discusses lessons about art and campus engagement. Paige talks about balancing coursework, jobs, and career planning, building connections while taking many online classes, and relying on support from her family and advisor. She enjoys reading and rescuing cats, hopes to work in education-related roles, and dreams of a future supervisory job in a warmer, beachside area.

Transcript

Paige Part 1

0:00

You're listening to another episode of the Campus in Character Podcast, where we explore leadership stories to inspire growth and connect leaders. I'm your host, David Mogollis, and I'm with the special guest, Paige. Paige, how you doing? I'm doing well. How are you? Great. It's so great to have you on the podcast. Now we have you on here for a specific reason. And that reason is you were just recently awarded the number one public relations student in the media and journalism program at Bloomsburg Commonwealth campus. So what do you think, Paige? How about that? Congratulations. Thank you. So your hard work paid off. All those years, the last three years, right? Yes, yeah, three and a half. Three and a half years paid off. Number one student. Um now, Paige, what did you do? Like when you graduated high school, what was your plan after high school? What what did you do? So after high school, I already had some college credits and I planned to go to Wilkes University for pharmacy. But after my first semester, I ended up transferring to Bloomsburg University and I pursued a degree in mass communications. Awesome. Now, so wait, pharmacy? Yeah. Comedian journalism. So how did you make that leap? I ended up kind of realizing that I just wanted to be like in a people setting. I wanted to engage with people a little bit more rather than like a lab setting. And so where are you from? I'm from Sealins Grove, PA, and I went to Sealins Grove School District. And as a senior in high school, I attended Bloomsburg University in person to get some college credits. Oh, you did? So you were in person in high school? Yes. I was in person and I had a full full schedule. How does that work? You get out of school half a day or uh you don't go to school at all, actually. You don't? Yeah, you just go to Bloomsburg. So you commuted out to Bloomsburg, took some classes, and so you've liked it so much you're like, hey, let's give it another shot, right? That's let's just see how things go. And so what type of classes did you take in high school? Do you remember any of those classes you took in high school at the university? I took intro to anthropology, like intro to psych, some of like the gen eds, things like that. Um, and I think there was like a his history class that I took as well. Okay, cool. Yeah. Now, do you have to apply to that program? Or is that something everyone can do, or how does it um it's something only people who finish their requirements for high school, like graduation, can do. I had finished my graduation requirements before my time to graduate with my class, so I was able to go up to Bloomsburg to get college credits instead. So, Paige, now media journalism, you you chose public relations. Why public relations? What what's what do you like about public relations? I like that it's really people-based and also like team-based. You're working with a team or a client or an organization to kind of connect better with their target audience. And I just really like figuring out everyone's little niche area and getting that out there to other people. Well, you did some cool things while you're a student. You created a bunch of projects, but you also had one internship, right? I did two internships. I did one internship with Bloomsburg. I was the PR person for the art galleries at Bloomsburg, and then I did an internship as a social media and marketing intern for 10 Mile Mushrooms. And what's 10 Mile Mushrooms? What's that place about? 10 Mile Mushrooms is a mushroom company in Danville. Really? Yeah, they're a like a mushroom industry. They grow mushrooms and then they also like make the substrate and sell them out to a bunch of mushroom farms. No way. So is it dark and dingy inside inside it? No, actually, mushrooms need light. A lot of people think they don't need light, but they do, and like they're gourmet mushrooms, so they're the ones like that you see in stores and stuff like that, too. Nice. Did you get to take some home, cook with them? I did. I got to take I even got to take my own grow kit home and I got to grow my own mushrooms. No way. Yeah, they're really cool. They're really big. I had never, you know, thought about anything like that before, but like I said, it's like a niche area, and it was really neat. Yeah. Never would expect that in Danville PA, that's for sure. So yeah. Look at you, you like pharmacy, media and journalism, PR, and biology, it sounds like farming too. We'll just throw in farming. Jeez. So now your other internship you did at the University Greenlee Center, right? Yes. It was down at the Greenlee Center, and you were in charge of a bunch of stuff. Can you tell us a little bit more about what you did at that internship? So I made a lot of like the posters, infographics, things like that for any of like the guest artists that were coming to the gallery. Um, kind of put that out around campus, put posters up, things like that to get student engagement and get the students to come to the gallery to kind of connect with those artists and experience, you know, the actual gallery experience. At the end of the semester, the senior students actually get to exhibit their artwork in the gallery and kind of experience that themselves. Did you learn anything about art? I have a minor in visual arts. So yeah, so I do app I did like learn a bit about it. There's I I definitely appreciate it more because there's art that's statues, there's art that's paintings, but we also had art that needed to be individually like hung. It was like an installation piece, and it takes a lot of time and effort to do things, but there's a lot of different things that are considered art and it's neat. Yeah, is there one piece of art that like you'll never forget that was really impactful on your life? Anything that was really cool that stands out? When I was the intern there, there was an artist named Michael Coppage who came and he had a bunch of really, really awesome statement pieces. But the one that really stood out to me was kind of like I touched on it was like an installation piece, but ever there were little pieces and each of them was hung on a string and it had to be a certain length from floor to ceiling in order to so it was really neat to kind of see how that turned out. The time it took to do that had been tremendous. Yes. Wow. Awesome. Yeah, I can appreciate art. I am the least artistic person in the world. I just never got that gene. I never, you know. I I can appreciate it, but I I enjoy posters and things like that. But never been like I wish I could paint and things like that. Never. Yeah, it'd be so cool to have that talent. You could always be making stuff for people. Always have your own handmade personal gift to give everyone. What am I gonna make for people? A podcast? Like, hey, that's all that's all I got. That's all I got. I don't have anything else. Uh well, maybe someday. Um, so now what's the plan? You you just graduated. What do you what's the plan now? You got a plan for the summer? The plan is I'm traveling for two weeks coming up. But the plan, first things first. But plan is I have been employed at Ulta. Um, so I have a bunch of customer experience. I've been there for four and a half years now. But I am applying for other um related roles and more specifically at universities and at school districts. I would love to get in somewhere like that. Nice, just working with people, right? Yes. Yeah. You you have a long track record of working with people. I'm glad you switched from pharmacy. I I see that now. I see why that's really uh right in your wheelhouse being with people, talking to people, and just figuring out problems that people may have. So that's awesome. So when you were at school, you had a lot of classes online. I did. I did. I probably had about like 50% at least of my classes online. How'd that work out for you? Um, I really enjoyed having them online and in person. I think it was nice to have a balance of both. Um I a lot of the teachers that I had, I had in person, and then I also took them other classes online. So it was like a nice balance. But I I liked both both of them. That's cool. Yeah, you get a good uh good good bit from each, you know. It's like you don't know in today's world, especially media and journalism, you could have a lot of clients online, you could have a lot of clients face to face, and it's good to just have that experience because you never know where things are gonna go. So that's cool you're able to do that. And you did it even in high school, you didn't have the online so much, but just being with people and being on a college campus as a high school student. I can't imagine doing that in high school. It was intimidating. I definitely it was me in a classroom of college students, but I enjoyed it. That's awesome. That's awesome. Well, we've enjoyed having you at the university. Unfortunately, you're graduating and you're taking off. You're gonna be doing a lot of different things now. You might get a job here, and we would love to have you back. We're gonna take a quick break though, right now, Paige. We're gonna come back and talk a little bit about your leadership style and your campus impact. So we'll take a quick break. We'll be right back with some

Commercial 1

9:24

more questions. Stay tuned. Are you looking for a smart way to reach an engaged, media savvy audience? Become a partner of the Campus in Character Podcast by sponsoring the show. Our listeners include students, faculty, alumni, and industry professionals who care about our campus, our student leaders, and the character that drives all of us. When you partner with us, your message is delivered in a trusted, authentic environment, not lost in the noise. Support the next generation of student leaders while growing your brand. Find out how to partner with us at campusandcharacterpodcast at gmail.com. That's campusandcharacterpodcast at gmail.com. And let's encourage the next generation of leaders.

Paige Part 2

10:02

Welcome back to the Campus and Character Podcast. I am your host, David, and I am here with Paige. Paige and I are just talking a little bit about her time at the university, and now we're gonna dig into her leadership style. So she's a top graduate in the PR program. So we recognize her as a leader on campus, and you've heard a little bit about some of the things she does outside of campus. Paige, when you think about challenges leaders face, and especially students, can you think of some ways to help some of our student leaders with the challenges they face? Whether it's on campus, maybe it's being off campus, you were a student at a distance and you still ended up being a leader on our campus. Can you talk about some of the challenges that just student leaders face? Yeah, yeah. I would say I don't want to say that there is a lack of direction, but I would say that maybe it's kind of hard to be on top of all the schoolwork, be on top of if you have a job, which I ha I did have a job, um, and be involved with the community, things like that, and still be reaching out to advisors to figure out things about classes, and reaching out for to employers about jobs, and reaching out about internships. So it is hard, I think, to balance it all, and it might feel like there's a bit of a gap in between like it's unachievable, but I I I think it completely is. I think it's really important to just, if you're struggling or if you're feeling a little bit lost, to kind of just ask for that help and your advisors will be there for you, your peers will be there for you, your teachers will be there for you, because at the end of the day, there's a lot of people cheering you on and looking out for you. Yeah, and we talk about being at a distance, meaning that you're online, you're not face-to-face on campus every single day. How did you make those connections with students and with teachers when you're not sitting in the classroom? How'd you do that? I really took the time to after class just meet with my teachers. And if I hadn't had a class with them, I would introduce myself and let them know a little bit about me, get to know a little bit about them. And I always, always try and keep in touch with some of my teachers and you know, pr I've always appreciated all of their feedback. I ask for feedback, and when it's asked, it is given. And I have really appreciated all like of the help and the guidance that I've gotten, and I think it's there if you ask for it. And I really took the time also to like meet with my advisor in person and figure out my schedule and things like that just to make sure everything go smoothly. Well, you're talking a little bit about feedback, guidance, support. I noticed when you received your award for being the top student, you had a group of people there with you. And it looked like a pretty big support network for you. Can you tell us who or what has had the biggest influence on your character and your leadership style? Um, my in addition to like my advisors' encouragement, my family has absolutely been a huge part of my support system and just cheering me on. They push me to try new things, things that maybe I'm not always a hundred percent comfortable with, but it's always great to try new things and to get a little bit of growth. And I've always had them in my corner, and it's been really great to have them there, and I think that they've really influenced who I am today. Yeah, they were definitely so happy and proud of you for their achievement, as they should be. Because, you know, a lot of times as a parent myself, you just look and you're like, Well, my kid made this big change. Are they gonna be successful? Is there something wrong? You know, what's going on with the children? They're moving from one program to another program. Is everything okay? And you just went out and totally succeeded. You just that's all you did, is you just crushed it. And uh, I think a lot of that is uh as a result of your support system and your drive. Um, you're a driven person for sure. So can you think back? I know this might be hard, but when you were 15 years old, a couple years ago, is there some piece of advice you'd give that 15-year-old self from the things you've learned so far in your life? I would say to take it one day at a time and to do what makes you happy. It's really important to love what you're doing and enjoy what you're doing and believe that what you're doing is purposeful. Yeah. It's great to hear you say that because everything you've done and you've talked about, it just brings a smile to your face. Just even stuff that you weren't expecting to like work in an art exhibit and work with these different people, it brings a smile to your face. And you've enjoyed it, I think. I have, truly, yeah. What are some things you like to do for fun? Is there anything you like to do for fun that you just like to enjoy? I love to read, and I'm a big reader, and I also I'm a big cat rescuer. Really? I I am. I have a lot of money. How many cats do you have? I have six myself, and then we have a bunch of strays that we feed and we vet them and get them in the homes and things like that. Nice. That's like a little hobby that I've picked up. Yeah, you might have your own business going there. You know, you rescue pets, you know, a nonprofit, something like that. Page's pets. There you go. Always have said something like that. There you go. You can you can use that title if you want, Paige's pets. I won't charge for that. Oh, that's credit, yeah. Yeah. No, that's really great because there are a lot of stray cats. You know, people sometimes just don't take care of their cats, their cats run away, and it's great that you're you're doing that and taking care of these animals. So do you name all of them? You name all the strays and everything? I do name them. I do name them. I try not to get too attached to them, but I I've already taken in three of them from outside. But we've gotten about six of them homed and every rehomed and vetted and everything like that. So it's it I like it. I do what I can, you know. You can't help them all, but you do what you can. That's right. Great job. So you've got your younger self giving that younger self some advice. Now, where would you like to be in say 20 years? Do you have a vision for yourself in 20 years? Do you have some goals that you want to achieve in 20 years? I know Paige's Pets is one. But what else is that? What else is there? Anything else? Any other goals you have? Well, by that time, I hope that I move away for a bit. I hope I experience somewhere tro live in somewhere tropical, somewhere warmer. And I can I have no issue moving back here. I love my hometowns in Sealance Grove, but I am hoping to be in a like a supervisor type of role. And I at the end of the day, I would love to work in a university around here, or I would love to even work like at Sealance Grove School District or something like that, if anything were to open up. But I really just do love the Sealance Grove and the Bloomsburg Bloomsburg community. So awesome. Well, where's this like sunny tropical place at that you like? Is there a specific place you like? We're my we're an outer banks family. We love the outer banks. Okay. Awesome, awesome. Yeah, it's a great place. I see. It is. See, do you go there often then? We do, we do. My grandparents have a house down there, so we we always get to go down and it's a great time. We love it down there. Now there's a lot of people golf down there too. Are you a golfer? Gol yes. So there's also we also have a house in Pinehurst, which is right on the golf course there. Yeah. And it's one of the it's a beautiful golf course. My grandfather is a big golfer. He loves to golf. Awesome, yeah. And you're an athlete yourself. I am. You played what in high school? I played field hockey mainly. I played a little bit of lacrosse, but field hockey was my number one. Well, field hockey is a stick and a ball. Golf, kinda. Kind of similar. It's kind of similar. It is. Hit the ball with a little different format, but you know. Somewhere. So. Well, we're gonna take a quick break and we'll be right back. We're gonna talk to you about some rapid fire questions. Are you ready for the rapid fire questions? I'm ready for rapid fire. Alright, stay tuned. We'll be right back with Paige's Pets and the Rapid Fire Questions. Stay

Commercial 2

18:58

tuned. Are you looking for a smart way to reach an engaged, media savvy audience? Become a partner of the Campus in Character Podcast by sponsoring the show. Our listeners include students, faculty, alumni, and industry professionals who care about our campus, our student leaders, and the character that drives all of us. When you partner with us, your message is delivered in a trusted, authentic environment, not lost in the noise. Support the next generation of student leaders while growing your brand. Find out how to partner with us at campus and characterpodcast at gmail.com. That's campus and characterpodcast at gmail.com. And let's encourage the next generation of leaders.

Paige Part 3

19:36

Come back to the Campus and Character Podcast. I'm here with Paige. We have some rapid fire questions. Paige, are you ready? I'm ready. Alright, what's one word to describe you? I would say driven. Driven, absolutely. From all the conversations we've had, we've had a lot. You're definitely a driven person, so I can certify that answer. What's your favorite thing about Ceilings Growth? I love the community and like everything everybody is just a neighbor to each other. Everyone's waving, super friendly, and I just love that. Yeah. So you said earlier you love to read. I do. I love to read, yes. Do you have a favorite book? I don't necessarily have a favorite book. I have a lot of favorite authors, though. I like favorite author. I like Freed McFadden. She's a good one. I like Stephen King books. Those are always good. Do you really? And a lot of just I like a lot of the like OG books. I've read probably all of like the original novel books. I think a lot of them are considered band books now. But a lot of them. Cool. As long as you love to read, just keep reading. It's a great thing to do. I do. It's a great great hobby. Do you have a favorite show right now or any TV that you like? I don't per se, not necessarily. Okay. Alright. Maybe, maybe The Walking Dead. Have you ever seen The Walking Dead? I haven't. I've watched some of it, not the whole thing. I was roped into it, but it's okay. Not bad. Okay, alright. Um, who inspires you? I would say that my parents inspire me the most, probably. They're just the most hardworking people ever, and they're just really awesome. Awesome, awesome. So do you have a favorite pizza place down there in Sealings Grove? I would say Bella's. If you haven't ever been to Bella's Pizza, you should definitely go. It's right downtown Sealins Grove on Market Street, and it's really awesome. Do you have a favorite pizza there? Is it just like cheese or is there something that you like? Uh they have all kinds of pizza, but I'm just an OG cheese person. No, just cheese, okay. I am. Cheese, sometimes pepperoni, but pretty plain. When you're getting wild, you do some pepperoni on there. Yeah. Yeah. Alright. All right. So where's your favorite place to study on campus? Got a favorite place? The Arts and Administrations building, probably, I would say, is my favorite. It's a great spot. Lots of sunlight. Lots of windows, yeah. And it's decently quiet. Decently quiet. That's what I was gonna say. It's typically quiet. Do you have a favorite sports team since you are an athlete? So anyone, eight. Steelers, probably. No way. In general, yeah. No way. Yeah, really? Did you know Mistel's fan? I got Mistel's fan. No, I didn't. My mom went my mom went to Pittsburgh too, so she's like a big Steelers fan, yeah. So Paige, this is the 12th episode of the show, and no one has said anything other than Phillies teams. Phillies only. No. Right, so alright, good. So the dividing line's like right there around Sealings Grove. Everyone east of Sealings Grove, Phillies, everyone west of Steelings Grove, Pittsburgh. There it is, folks. You heard it here. That's the dividing line in Pennsylvania, Sealings Grove. So thanks for that information, Paige. Hey, Paige, number one uh podcast right here. Because uh Stewart's fan. So awesome. Well, thanks so much for your time, Paige. We enjoyed having you at the university. Maybe we'll have you back. You never know. Maybe you'll be working with us. That'd be great. So that would be awesome. I would love that. Well, we wish you the best. If you ever need anything, let us know. Check the show out. If you like this episode, go ahead and share it with your friends, rate and review it. This has been the Campus in Character Podcast. Stay tuned. We'll be back next week with another episode. Take care.

Commercial 3

23:27

Are you looking for a smart way to reach an engaged, media-savvy audience? Become a partner of the Campus in Character Podcast by sponsoring the show. Our listeners include students, faculty, alumni, and industry professionals who care about our campus, our student leaders, and the character that drives all of us. When you partner with us, your message is delivered in a trusted, authentic environment, not lost in the noise. Support the next generation of student leaders while growing your brand. Find out how to partner with us at Campus and Character Podcast at gmail.com. That's campusandcharacterpodcast at gmail.com. And let's encourage the next generation of leaders.