Joseph Arnold, a senior earning degrees in marketing and public relations, has had his hand in several campus activities and has gained the knowledge and experience necessary to succeed in his professional life.
Hometown:
Roswell, Ga.
High School:
Greater Atlanta Christian
Degree objective:
B.B.A. in marketing, A.B.J. in public relations
University highlights, achievements, awards and scholarships:
I’ve been incredibly active and involved over my four years at UGA. I’ve held the role of fundraising co-chair for Georgia Daze, a student organization dedicated to improving the number of minority students at the university and improving their experience. I served as a student government senator for the Terry College of Business where I had chances to talk with students and meet with faculty and the college dean to talk about ways the college could better service students. I ran, unsuccessfully, for executive treasurer in SGA and had the time of my life while doing so. I served on the Student Alumni Council, the governing board of the Student Alumni Association, where we help further university tradition and spirit and raise money for the Georgia Fund. I was a Grady College ambassador where I represented the college and its students to distinguished alumni and individuals. And I led UGA’s chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators as its president, which opened numerous doors of opportunity.
Although I’m probably most proud of my accomplishments outside of the classroom, I maintained the HOPE Scholarship throughout my time at the university and was awarded the Zell Miller Scholarship during my last two years of eligibility.
Family Ties to UGA:
I’m the first in my family to attend UGA. Now, I’m proud to say that my sister, Brittany, is a junior on campus and my brother, Jordan, is an incoming freshman at UGA.
I chose to attend UGA because…
… of its size and reputation. Because UGA is Georgia’s flagship institution, there are so many opportunities to find a niche, pursue passions and meet new people along the way. There is an endless number of societies, clubs and organizations. I’m constantly telling friends that I wish I had two more years so I could get even more involved.
My favorite things to do on campus are…
… go to one of the many shows on campus. Whether it’s an ImprovAthens show, a concert in Tate Grand Hall, a play in the Fine Arts Building or a movie in Tate Theatre, there is always some form of entertainment going on around campus.
When I have free time, I like…
… reading outdoors in the sunshine. The North Campus lawn, the Botanical Garden and my own back porch are some of my favorite places to get away from the day-to-day grind and enjoy a book or magazine.
The craziest thing I’ve done is…
… travel to Europe for a month. This year, I took a 27-day trip throughout Europe, covering eight cities. It was a whirlwind adventure where I was on the move to a new city every couple of days, but the sights I’ve seen, people I’ve met and cultures I experienced have shaped my perspective on the world. I would highly recommend international travel to any student. Go with friends, with family or by yourself—just go!
My favorite place to study is…
… the fourth floor of the journalism building. It’s one of those places unique to Grady students where I can comfortably get work done or chat for a few minutes with friends and classmates.
My favorite professor is…
… Jen Osbon. She’s only been a professor for about a year and a half, but professor Osbon’s personality, insight and current status as an agency owner position her to offer valuable wisdom and real-world, pragmatic instruction.
Additionally, although she’s not an instructor, my public relations academic adviser Victoria Cooper has played a huge role in shaping my university experience. She has always encouraged me to develop my own leadership skills to bring out the best in others.
If I could share an afternoon with anyone, I would love to share it with…
… my siblings and cousins. Now that we’re all older, we don’t have as many opportunities to see each other, yet it’s always a great time when we do.
If I knew I could not fail, I would…
… make a motion picture. In high school, I always wanted to become a film director. Although my ambitions have changed course, I still love making movies.
If money was not a consideration, I would love to…
… travel for an extended period of time—perhaps a year or more. South America and eastern Asia are my next two destinations. There’s something about being a stranger in a new place that enables you to learn so much about yourself.
After graduation, I plan to…
… pursue a job in digital marketing and strategy with an agency or small company. I’ve been fortunate enough to have held four internships over the past two years and I’ve found my passion in marketing, where I hope to help organizations make powerful brand connections with consumers.
The one UGA experience I will always remember will be…
… being president of UGA’s chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators during my senior year. We were a small, rebuilding group after a few difficult years. Our goal was to help inspire students, on a personal level, to pursue passions in communications and equip them with practical tools and skills. The opportunity to see our organization’s students gain professional confidence and snag internships was incredible.