Senior Spotlight: Bryan Coley
April 17, 2024 |
Bryan Coley, a senior communication studies major and public relations minor, not only gets to experience a Xavier basketball game day as a fan, but as one of the in-game hosts. This experience at Xavier has allowed him to utilize the skills that he has gained through the communication department and get over any of his public speaking fears.
Bryan was initially drawn to Xavier through his tour. He shares that “all the other schools gave me nothing but numbers and statistics, but Xavier gave me experiences and stories. Hearing stories allowed me to not only connect better but relate better.” In addition to working game days for the men’s and women’s basketball teams, Bryan also works in the Admissions Office as a Student Recruitment Director where he can help to build these stories and connect with more potential students.
Choosing a communications major was easy for Bryan as he knew that he thrives in environments where he can interact with people. He shares that “the passion and drive I have for interaction has not only convinced me to join the COMM department, but stay in it!” Being in the communication department has given Bryan countless skills as he says “I could go on for days about each skill I’ve picked up, but the main ones would have to be adaptability and listening.” He explains that communication is more than just what comes out of people’s mouths but it really encompasses the “process of having an idea of what to say, and changing it based on what you hear.”
Reflecting on his time at Xavier, the biggest thing that Bryan will miss is all the people he has met along the way. He says, “I have heard a saying that something isn’t beautiful because it lasts, but because of the moments you made with it. I have yet to hear truer words.”
After graduation Bryan is heading to Washington D.C. to work as a communications specialist. His advice to any potential student considering a communication degree is that communication is, “the number one skill that employers look for in candidates! Many people may brush off communication and say, “they do it everyday,” but in reality it goes much deeper than that.”
