Pillar 1: Understanding What Moves People

Ever since I began taking Communication and Marketing courses at USD, I’ve realized that what drives me most is trying to understand why people feel, think, and act the way they do, the whole reason why I love Communication is because people, how the communicate and the consequences of that communication moves me. That has led me to better understanding the world around me, from the media to the psychological studies behind building relationships. I’ve always been drawn to the “why” behind decisions: why something resonates, why it doesn’t, and what makes people care. This shows up in my communication theory coursework, especially when studying concepts like cognitive dissonance, where I explored how internal conflict can shape behaviour and beliefs. Marketing has guided me in merging this passion of mine with strategies in business that resonate with people and allows them to connect. For me, this pillar is the foundation of everything else because it is not only something that has always spoken to me but it has shaped my decisions throughout my early-career and given me a “why.”