Purdue’s Degree in 3 program is a great way to save money on your college education and get a jump-start on your career. The College of Liberal Arts offers three-year degrees in ten different areas, including Communication.
But wait. Graduating with your degree a year early sounds intimidating and maybe a little scary, right? I talked with Lamb School alum, Charlotte Tuggle, one of the first graduates in the Degree in 3 program to learn more about her experience in the program. Keep reading to hear about her life at Purdue and what she’s accomplished since graduation.
Could you talk a little about your experience in the Degree in 3 program? Was it difficult to complete all your requirements in three years instead of four?
It was very difficult to finish a degree in three years, but well worth it. If you’re going to do it, you have to make certain sacrifices and stay focused throughout the program in order to finish all of the requirements on time. That being said, you don’t do it without help. I would’ve been lost without the aid of my academic advisor, and some of my classes were offered online, which made it possible for me to travel home (Georgia) for an internship during the summer semesters and stay on track. So, it’s really hard, but you have support from the school, which makes it easier to manage. Plus, it saves a chunk of money and you get to start your career a year earlier, so again, well worth it!
I see that you won the Edward R. Murrow award for a story you did while working at WBAA. What was your experience like with WBAA? How did it prepare you for your career?
I worked at WBAA as an intern and as a full-time reporter, so I’ll explain both of those experiences one-by-one. As an intern, I put into practice what I was learning in class, so it was an invaluable real-world learning experience for me. I was also able to build a professional skill set that would qualify me for a full-time position directly after graduation.
As a full-time staff member, I was able to build my professional reputation. That, combined with the prestige of a Purdue degree, made me an attractive candidate for my current position. I won several state-level journalism awards at WBAA, but the most significant was definitely the regional Edward R. Murrow for the Hard News category. Winning a Murrow had been a dream of mine since before I went to college, so I’m fortunate that I had the education, support and skills to achieve it so early in my career.
Could you describe your career post-graduation? What is your current position?
I started my first full-time job at WBAA the Monday after graduation. In that capacity, I was a general reporter and weekend host for about a year and a half. After that, I took a position at Auburn University in late 2018. My current role is as Communications Editor for the College of Human Sciences, where I’m responsible for writing features, building a monthly newsletter, operating the College’s social media accounts, copy editing marketing materials and contributing to marketing campaigns. As a first-generation college student, the mission of higher education has always been close to my heart, so I’m both personally and professionally fulfilled putting my skills to use for universities.
Are there any other impactful experiences from your time at Purdue that you would like to share?
So many! I could probably write an entire book based on this question, so I’ll try to stick to the highlights.
Two major experiences stand out for me. The first was my trip to Washington, D.C. The Lamb School arranged a visit to the C-SPAN headquarters and the NPR headquarters, where I toured the facilities and met with the leaders of those organizations. If you’ve met Brian Lamb, you know he’s one of the nicest, smartest and most inspiring people on the face of the Earth. I also got to speak with the NPR Board while I was there. Talking with all of those extremely important people, seeing where the magic happens, so to speak, put what I was doing in class in perspective. That experience sticks with me because especially as a student, it’s important to be reminded of the great potential you have with a communication degree.
The second was when I won Indiana Student Journalist of the Year from the Indiana Society of Professional Journalists. That was a really big deal to me because I was being recognized for my academic merit and professional work, and after all of the blood, sweat and tears I put into both, it’s still one of my favorite accomplishments.
What advice do you have for current Lamb School students?
Now is the time to find your calling. Take advantage of everything the Lamb School has to offer. Communication is a broad, exciting field of work where you have the freedom to be creative and enjoy a successful career while following your passion, and the Lamb School knows exactly how to prepare you for that. So enjoy it, try new things, work hard and you’ll see your degree take you where you want to be!
Thank you, Charlotte, for your advice!
To learn more about the Degree in 3 Program, visit: https://www.cla.purdue.edu/undergradci/3year/