What’s a character trait employers want but most employees lack? Valor!
Junior Multimedia Communications and Writing major with a Spanish minor, Carolyn Richards has the spontaneity and drive to take media to Africa sooner rather than later. She exemplifies her creative characteristics daily at Olivet Nazarene University.
“Since being a multimedia major, I have learned how to grow my creativity and put it into a product for somebody else and how to better brainstorm and understand content somebody wants from me and producing something that fits what they want.”
While attending Olivet, she has executed this rare and desired trait of valor as she jumped into the unknown of PRSSA. Jillian Halsey was quick to describe Richards as anything but ordinary. Instead, rather extraordinary in her efforts, Richards strives to pursue ministry around the globe as soon as possible, preferably within 6 months post graduation.
Previously a journalism major, Richards discovered her passion for media and communication through both her sister’s recent experience as an Olivet alumna who received her degree in communication, but particularly from her internship experience this past summer as the media specialist for a children’s summer camp.
“I jumped into this media position, never having used a camera myself besides automatic settings,” Richards stated.
The duties and responsibilities required from Richards through this internship experience would have overwhelmed most people but not her. Richards stated, “ I had to do the video and audio, have an album of at least 100 photos each session, and make a video each night and at the end of the summer I had to make a 30 to 50 minute video of what they did… It was a lot of work but very rewarding.”
One of the biggest reasons she excels is because she jumps right in. Richards said, “I think a lot of jobs and internships are accessible and people are ready to receive you to learn and train you but people just don’t go for it. You need to be willing to learn and figure it out. I am learning trust in myself. I will learn along the way.”
She never previously had experience in public relations but now serves as Vice President of Fundraising on the PRSSA board-2021-2022 Executive Board – Olivet Nazarene University PRSSA (olivetprssa.com). President of PRSSA, Jillian Halsey first described Carolyn as, “Very creative and very fun. She has already brought a lot of great ideas to our team for next semester and we are very grateful that she has decided to do this.”
Richards also loves traveling. She hopes to intern in South Africa through a program called ZEMA where she will work on multimedia while in this country. She will succeed at anything she puts her mind to.
“I have too much audacity to do things I am not qualified for,” Richards says. That vigor will take her to places she never thought possible.
