The Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Date: Jul 27 2004
Major: Journalism (This Major's Salary over time)
In my experience at Saint Joseph's College of Maine, I have found that my educational experience is holistic. The college caters to educating and developing the whole person, not just only mentally or physically.

The academic program at Saint Joseph's College (especially within the Honors Program course of study) has been very challenging and engaging, often opting to teach through interactive dialogue rather than through lecture-based oration. The program in Communications with the concentration in Journalism has been truly challenging, but also timely and current. The faculty teach and discuss the media in the 21st century, not how "they used to do news". Professor Yates and Hufstader talk about electronic media, on-line journalism, web-based publications, broadband and other innovations in the field, while also holding fast to the maxims and truths of journalism in both an ethical setting and practical understanding - all while taught in our brand new academic building. Other contributing members of the communications faculty still hold highly-ranked jobs within the journalism field, many of whom are reporters, columnists, and photographers at some of the most successful news media outlets in the state. It's nice to know that the faculty are continuing to "practice what they preach" and do so in a contemporary fashion; they are able to bring newly-acquired skill sets and combine that with a developed understanding of the subject into the classroom. Truly, I feel quite challenged and engaged academically.

Physically, I have been able to grow by participating in some of the intramural athletics and going out for runs along the college's well-developed and maintained Cross-Country trails (something I didn't even know that we had until this summer!). The college has a state-of-the-art athletic center (The Alfond Center) and is great to go for a workout, a run, or to play a game with some friends. Socially, the life here is pretty good. It's a small college, but if you use it to your advantage, it can be one of the best gifts and resources at the college. Personally, I just got involved in a lot of extracurricular activities and really got to know a lot of people. I feel like these are people who, in some cases, will be friends of mine for life. It's a small and comfortable atmosphere where

everybody knows your name

- and I've personally come to like that. Spiritually, the campus does very well with an active Campus Ministry program and highly-attended student evening mass on sundays. Fr. John and the Campus Ministry team are really exceptional people who really are concerned and invested in what all the students do, think, feel, and say.(if you've ever met them, you know what I mean). The college staff and faculty, as a whole, lend themselves to the students for questions, help, advice and support.

All in all, I've felt like the college really keeps me as the student first and foremost in the center of my experience here. Saint Joseph's College of Maine is a great place to come and learn and grow - I wish everyone could have the experience I'm having during my four years!