Communication graduate has plans to travel the world and learn about other cultures

Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable fall 2022 graduates.

Communication graduate Chris Green has been fortunate to be able to apply the skills and knowledge he gained from his communication classes at Arizona State University's Hugh Downs School of Human Communication to his student worker job in marketing at ASU. 

Green, who works as a social media and marketing specialist, primarily with Access ASU, has also assisted with campaigns alongside ASU Student Life and ASU Career and Professional Development Services. 

In this position, Green says he has learned how to communicate with a larger audience and how to say what he wants in a way that people will enjoy and latch onto.

"I’ve also become very familiar with photography and was surprised to find an interest in going to events and photo shoots. I feel that the experience I gained working at ASU has provided me with the tools and resources I need as I enter the workforce upon my graduation in December."  

Green says he participated in multiple classes at ASU where semester-long group projects were a part of the curriculum. "This includes creating and starting a mock business, holding research surveys, and instructing the class on a topic that will help inside and outside the workplace. My education from the many communication classes helped me develop relationships with groupmates I will cherish for many years." 

Green's journey to ASU began after earning an associate's degree in communication from Estrella Mountain Community College. He transferred to ASU in time for the spring 2021 semester and says the transition went as perfectly as it could during a pandemic. "The move from in-person to online learning was tough at first to get accustomed to, but fortunately, ASU has resources in place that helped make that transition as smooth as possible for me."

Green is also graduating with a minor in technical communication online through the ASU Polytechnic campus where he learned about digital communications and how a user views and interacts with digital media. "It's just as important as communicating with someone in an in-person interaction," says Green. 

"The way I have started communicating professionally, personally and socially has become stronger and more well rounded during my time at ASU and not only made me a better scholar but a better, more understanding person as a whole." 

We connected with Green to ask him about the lessons he took from ASU, his future plans and the advice he would give current students. 

Question: What was your “aha” moment, when you realized you wanted to study the field you majored in?

Answer:  I chose to major in communication because of the many possibilities and routes I could go with a degree. I’ve also never been very good at math and science so not being a part of my program plan was a big incentive for me.

Q: What’s something you learned while at ASU, in the classroom or otherwise, that surprised you — that changed your perspective?

A: We learned in my intercultural communication class that other cultures have different concepts about the flow of time. While here in the U.S. we see the future as being in “front” of us, other cultures such as the Malagay see the future as being “behind” us and look “ahead” at the past. I found this interesting because I always thought our concept of time was universally accepted, and to hear that other cultures think differently about that was mind-blowing to me.

Q: Why did you choose ASU? 

A:  I chose to attend ASU because my family bleeds maroon and gold. My grandfather graduated from ASU when it was still Arizona State College in the 1950s, and because of his love for the university, ASU was always the first choice for college for my family.

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to those still in school?

A:  The best piece of advice I could give is to go at your own pace. As enticing as it is to go and get a bachelor's in four years, sometimes life gets in the way and you need to put your mental and physical health first. It’s perfectly OK to take a semester off or only take a few classes and collect yourself so you can find what you want to do with your life and what will make you happy.

Q: What was your favorite spot on campus, whether for studying, meeting friends or just thinking about life?

A:  I always found myself going to the arboretum within the Social Sciences Building. The nature inside has always been relaxing for me, and the building itself is a great place to go at the beginning of the fall semester to get away from the heat.

Q: What are your plans after graduation?

A:  After graduation, I plan to work and hopefully travel the world. I enjoyed learning about other cultures and developed a desire to get first-hand experiences in other countries. I want to experience traditions that aren’t commonplace here and see what the world has to offer outside of my bubble here in the U.S.

Q: If someone gave you $40 million to solve one problem on our planet, what would you tackle?

A:  While $40 million won’t fix the problem, I would use that money to help preserve and restore the environment. We only have one planet to live on, and I feel it is our responsibility to protect it so that we can leave it in a better condition for future generations.