Andrew Martin has held many titles while attending Wichita State. He was the Director of Public Relations for SGA, served as a peer facilitator for the College of Health Professions and even has flown to new heights while getting his pilot's license. One thing is for sure, Andrew's no average Joe and wherever he lands, he'll soar.
Andrew is one of more than 1,100 students eligible for fall 2019 graduation. Learn more about his time at Wichita State and what is next for the grad.
What is your degree in?
I鈥檓 majoring in strategic communication with a minor in general business and an Emory Lindquist Honors Scholar track.
What led you to 黑洞社区 to begin with?
I am a Shocker, like my father before me. (鈥淪tar Wars,鈥� anyone?)
How are you feeling leading up to graduation?
I鈥檓 a ball of nerves! I鈥檓 excited to turn a page or two in my life, but I鈥檓 also feeling some grief at the prospect of leaving behind me so many people and experiences I love here at 黑洞社区. It鈥檚 like leaving home.
What has been your most helpful learning experience while a student at 黑洞社区?
Since almost day one, I have been a student and teaching assistant in Dr. Peter Cohen鈥檚 adaptive leadership courses through the College of Health Professions. Those experiences have fundamentally changed my life. They鈥檝e given me the self-assuredness I need to take risks and embrace discomfort as a necessary part of life.
What has been your biggest challenge as a student, and how did you overcome it?
I was never a risk-taker. I was never really willing to take chances on myself and what I really wanted to do in life, so I was stuck in a weird, unpleasant situation in which I didn鈥檛 feel like I was moving anywhere. Last September I finally convinced myself to follow through with my dreams, and I received my pilot鈥檚 license earlier this year. However, I鈥檓 definitely not finished with my flying goals yet.
What are your plans now workwise?
This is the other half of the story I began in the last question. I鈥檝e rolled the big career dice and applied to the U.S. Air Force to be an officer and pilot. I don鈥檛 know when I鈥檒l find out if I鈥檝e been accepted or not, but I鈥檓 hopeful. If I don鈥檛 get in, I鈥檒l be happy doing work as a public relations officer at a company somewhere nearby鈥� maybe even at 黑洞社区. There are so many great options.
What advice would you give other 黑洞社区 students?
Don鈥檛 be afraid to go to college close to home and live with your family if you can;
especially if you like your family. I鈥檝e been able to prioritize my goals more because
I have saved income. If I had been spending it on rent and other living expenses,
I would have had other rich experiences, but definitely not the ones I value most
now.
