Faces of NLU: Meet Dejah Turner
A communications major reflects on the many twists and turns on her path to a degree.
At National Louis University, we see higher education as a time for exploration. Students may start college with one idea of what they want to study but then find themselves drawn to a different field. And that’s okay! That’s why we build advising and support services, along with flexible class options, into our programs to accommodate students’ unique educational paths. Dejah Turner is one student whose path through higher education has taken many different turns. NLU was the third college she attended, and she initially came in as a business major:
“I was introduced to National Louis by my mother who works for the University through the McCormick Center. I began in Summer of 2020 as a Business Management major and chose to continue my studies in Applied Communications after growing my interest in community engagement.”
Dejah explains that the quality of her communications classes are what have kept her engaged and inspired at NLU:
“The classes provided in the communications program are next level. Engaging with my peers, being guided by my instructors, and being prompted to reflect on my goals and strengths has kept me motivated.”
Dejah’s learning has continued outside the classroom, too, through a hands-on internship that’s prepared her for her future career:
“[T]his past summer I was given the opportunity to intern at After School Matters for the second time. Working with my advisor, Olivia Scheer, helped me develop my professional and career readiness skills. Through the internship I was able to apply the confidence that I gained from my job search and begin networking!”
Her journey through college hasn’t always been easy, though, and Dejah admits that the multitude of choices and options became overwhelming at times:
“Throughout my college career, I have had to face my fears of not knowing where to start or what to do. National Louis is the third college that I have attended, and Applied Communications is my fifth major. Outside of struggling to fine tune what I wanted to do with my career, I went through lots of changes and grief as a student, but I wouldn't let myself give up.”
Having persevered through indecision, multiple changes to her major, and grief, Dejah now sees herself embarking on a career in the music industry while staying connected with her community:
“In five years, I see myself as an entrepreneur, owning my own record label, and being able to put part of my earnings into my community. I hope to find a balance between creative expression and community engagement.”
When it comes to advice she’d offer her fellow students, Dejah encourages them to trust in themselves, just as she did:
“Trust that things will work themselves out. It can be easy to get discouraged as a student, especially when it feels like you aren't going in the right direction or you aren't sure what to do. Assess your options, use your resources, and reflect deeply.”
Interested in our B.A. in Communications program? You can view all of our undergraduate programs or contact an Enrollment Specialist to discuss your educational and career goals.
