#flatmatt

Print and color your own Flat Matt for the contest!

The MA in Professional Communication Presents

“The #flatmatt Contest”

You are officially invited to participate in the #flatmatt contest.  Follow the MA in Professional Communication program on social media and refer to these rules as your guide.  The contest is simple, just follow these steps:

1.  Go to suumapc.blogspot.com.

2.  Download the “flat matt” and color him.

3.  Take flatmatt on an adventure that you capture with photos and/or video.  Winners will be chosen by the Graduate Program Marketing Team.  Winning entries will be creative, visually appealing, tell an interesting story and are done in good taste.  All entries will be judged based on the following criteria: originality = 30%; creativity = 30%; overall appeal = 40%

4.  Send your entry to @suumapc on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook and use the “#flatmatt”.  You can also email your submission to suucommsocial@gmail.com.

5.  Two grand prize winners will receive a $1,000 scholarship to the SUU MA in Professional Communication Program.  Other winners will receive SUU gear and merchandise.  Scholarship winners must be admitted and attend the MAPC program in Fall 2015 or Spring 2016.  

All contest participants need to be willing to submit their name, email, phone & permission to use the entry for other promotional purposes as determined by the program.  This information will be submitted to the Graduate Director after winners have been notified.  All entries are due by Tuesday March 31, 2015.

In an increasingly competitive job market, students are realizing that a graduate degree can help make them even more employable, earn a better wage, and secure a rewarding career.  In fact, a recent study at Georgetown University reveals that a master’s degree is worth $457,000 more than a bachelor’s degree in career earnings.  Moreover, jobs that require a master’s degree are expected to grow by nearly 22% through 2020.  As you plan your future, consider what an MA in Professional Communication can do for you.  Whether it’s right now or in the future, whether it’s online or face-to-face, this program could be the difference between a good job and great career.  Check out the details at www.suu.edu/hss/comm/masters/ and contact Professor Matt Barton, the Graduate Director: 435-586-7970; bartonm@suu.edu.

Alumni Spotlight: Meet Kevin Robison!

1) Tell us about your current occupation.

I am the International Sales Manager for Altra Footwear, which entails the management of Altra’s current international accounts along with expanding the market into new countries. Not only does this involve the sale of product to each area, but events, marketing and adverting plans to help make the areas as successful as possible.  

I travel all over the world one week out of every month to visit current accounts or train/ setup new ones. So far I have traveled to Canada, Bahamas, Mexico, and this month I will be in Brazil, and Chile in December. 

Altra Footwear has an international presence in 33 countries and growing. Through award winning innovation, Altra has become a top 10 footwear brand in the running specialty market in the United States.

2) How did the MAPC program help you get to where you are now in your career?

There is a reason professional communication is in the name of the program. Through the program I have learned how to communicate in a professional manner, whether it be to co-workers, distributors, retailers etc.

At times I present with distributors to larger retailers, so I need to present the product in a manner that attracts the customer, which involves everything from correct wording and speech to body language. Through the MAPC program I have learned how to do so. A lot of this was also learned through my graduate assistantship at the SUU Speech and Presentation Center. I was able to practice and teach these skills allowing me to improve daily.

Also the advertising and PR knowledge has helped me to provide international distributors with the information they need to be successful in their area. This also involves expertise in organizational communication as each location has a different culture, with different needs and interests. By combining all of these facets of the communication world, I have been able to advance my career and move forward successfully.

3) How did the faculty help you with your career both while you were at SUU and after you graduated?

This is going to sound like it came straight off a billboard, but because of the small class sizes SUU student’s receives great individual attention from the professors. They know who you are and what your needs are.  

The faculty has helped me greatly by just giving me a chance to prove myself.

In my undergraduate studies I was not known for my academic performance. Because of my academic track record I easily could have been sent packing, but the faculty gave me a chance to prove myself. This led me to become serious about what was being taught and how to properly apply my education in the work place. I am truly thankful for the faculty at Southern Utah University and all they have done for me.

This help even continued in the workplace as professors helped coach me as I prepared for my first job at Brian Head Resort as the Sales and Marketing Coordinator.