Spring — 2007

Christopher Smith

Communications

“I’m here because I really don’t know what I want to do for a career. But I sure don’t want to waste money while I figure it out.”

Well, there you have it. According to Christopher Smith, one of the best things to do at SMC is to use the College as a directional compass to get pointed toward where you want to go. “I’m just trying to keep all my options open, and I’ve heard that Communications is a really broad field. It’s really just the basis of life; communicating with people.” And Christopher reports that SMC’s Bundy Campus has been a real ‘center of operations’ for him.

“Oh, it’s really great down there, with the free parking and the beautiful grounds. And everything’s new,” he says. “One of my classes has a computer on every desk, so I just take my notes and email them to myself. Pretty cool!” Christopher is currently running a 3.57 GPA. But for a moment there, he felt like he was headed in the wrong direction. “I have Professor Brewer for Communications, and she’s great! She really knows how to get students motivated to do their best. On my first assignment,” Christopher admits, “I just kind of phoned it in, and she didn’t give me full credit. So I was like, ‘Hey! This teacher won’t accept less than my best.’ And I knew I was gonna have to work!”

Christopher works as an LA County lifeguard during the summers, an activity he shares with his dad, who holds the rank of captain. “Yeah, Dad’s made a career of it. But it’s not where I want to go. My family knows I don’t yet know what I want to do, so they’re really pushing me to get out of SMC and on to USC or UCSB. So, for sure, next fall I’ll be moving on. And SMC has really got me prepared to do it.”

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