Student Spotlight: Jermaine Smith, BA Public Relations ‘20

At the Tulane School of Professional Advancement, we value our students and support them as they grow and learn. We asked Jermaine Smith, who is working towards his Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations, to offer insight about being a student at SoPA.

1. Why did you choose the Tulane School of Professional Advancement?

I’ve been working in my field for well over a decade, and though I wanted to develop additional skills, I didn’t have the time to dedicate to a traditional classroom schedule due to my travel for work. SoPA provided me the opportunity to mix in-class experiences with online learning, which made pursuing a degree in Public Relations much more convenient.

2. How would you describe the SoPA faculty and staff?

They’ve been fantastic! I haven’t been in school in about 10 or 12 years, so I wasn’t sure how well I’d adapt, but everyone has been friendly, resourceful, and encouraging. More than anything, they’ve been very appreciative of the experience both me and my classmates bring to our courses.

3. What advice would you give to adult learners who are thinking about going back to school?

First: be sure you know why you’re going. It’s difficult balancing career, family obligations, and school. Second: stay focused! If you want to take full advantage of the opportunities you have, you can’t invest the bare minimum; it won’t be worth the effort. And lastly: enjoy the process of learning! Tulane has wonderful resources from libraries to professors, but your classmates can be just as valuable!

4. Which celebrity chef would you most like to make you dinner and why?

I love eating, so this is brutal. I’ll stay close to home and say Tory McPhail of Commander's Palace; everything there is an experience!

If you're hoping to further your career in business or public relations, explore how our Applied Business Studies program may be able to get you to your goals. Our program faculty includes working professionals in journalism, crisis communications, consulting, and more. Every day, we enable students like Jermaine to develop skills and reach new opportunities. Learn more about the degrees and programs offered by the Tulane School of Professional Advancement, and get started on your journey today.