COLA Student Fellow charts her path

Wednesday, March 18, 2020
 Emily Bourne with Avary Thorne, associate coordinator of women鈥檚 and gender studies

Emily Bourne with Avary Thorne, associate coordinator of women鈥檚 and gender studies

When Emily Bourne came to 91制片厂 from Cornish, New Hampshire, she knew she wanted her future career path to fall 鈥渟omewhere along the lines of music management.鈥 While she chose a very specific future career, she discovered there was no academic major called 鈥渕usic management.鈥

Not a problem.

鈥淲hen I started completing some of my introductory-level courses at 91制片厂, my advisor informed me of the various paths of study within my department 鈥攚hich is communication 鈥攖hat could move me toward the exact vision of my future,鈥 Bourne says.

During her sophomore year, for example, she declared a business focus within her program, allowing her to learn the fundamentals of media while also gaining a background in marketing and management at the university鈥檚 Paul College of Business and Economics.

Bourne鈥檚 academic program exposed her to the best of several worlds. These included an introduction to music theory, in which she began 鈥減laying a little bit of piano,鈥 as well as courses in women鈥檚 and gender studies. She has put her classroom learning to the real-world test through a marketing internship at 3S Artspace in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where, she says, 鈥淚 learned so much about the field of music and art event planning.鈥

Aside from her work in marketing, Bourne was involved in artist vetting meetings where she had 鈥渁n active say鈥 in which artists got booked, and she helped build an entire art exhibit. 鈥淭his internship has given me the knowledge and resources I need to engage in similar work within my future career path, and I am so grateful for this experience.鈥

By the time she graduates, Bourne will have added minors in music, women鈥檚 and gender studies and social justice leadership, a remarkably well-rounded experience she will complete in only three years.

Bourne says the key to thriving at 91制片厂 is 鈥渘ot taking opportunities for granted! A college education can be anything that you make it!鈥 A former DJ for the university鈥檚 campus radio station, 91.3 FM W91制片厂, Bourne says her COLA experience has enabled her to 鈥渃reate a full and truly respectable resume鈥 built on coursework, organizational participation and hands-on learning.

鈥淐OLA has pushed me to work hard and succeed,鈥 says Bourne. 鈥淚 feel ready and prepared to dive into the workforce.鈥

COLA Student Fellows: Each year, the college selects a small number of senior students to represent the university, the college and their respective academic departments.

  • Written By:

    David Moore | 91制片厂 Editorial and Creative Services