Graduation profile: Rachel Hom (with video)
Rachel Hom, 21, will receive her bachelor’s degree in journalism/advertising when she graduates June 14 from the University of Oregon. She is from Olympia, Wash. “The first term of my freshman year, I was two-hundredths away from making the Dean’s List,” she says. “I’m on the Dean’s List now … but it’s probably for stopping by his office to talk smack.”
Academic accomplishments: Scaling the Everest of papers: Infohell. It was a 100-plus page research paper that us old-timers wrote on the public policy topic of our choice. The politically correct title is “Information Gathering,” but let’s be real. That was the biggest mountain in hell that I’ll ever climb. And I don’t regret it one bit. Afterward, I hadn’t slept for 40 hours and I was the champion of the underworld.
Extracurricular/leadership activity:
Allen Hall advertising co-director, Freshman Interest Group assistant.
Attending and graduating college is significant to my family (or in light of my background) because … I’ve always been a jack-of-all-trades, and I think my parents are pleased that I was able to focus on one thing for four years.
The reason I chose the University of Oregon for my education is … its reputable journalism school and advertising program. Since being a junior in high school, I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in advertising. I owe this revelation to my first loss ending an undefeated streak of Associated Student Body elections. I realized that I loved campaigning but hated politics.
My senior year in high school, I was fed up with private schools promising that simply their name on my resume would get me a job after graduation. Those were empty promises. When I visited Oregon, Sally Garner — an academic advisor at the SOJC — told me that all the doors I needed would be opened, but only I could take the step through them. That was the guarantee I wanted. Also, people literally held doors open and smiled. The weather was beautiful, but I understand that’s just arranged to trick potential students.
The most rewarding experience/challenge I’ve had while earning my degree was (is) … yet to come. I plan to donate a picnic table so students can enjoy the first sunshine of spring while studying outside, but they won’t have to sit in the wet grass. I think all past alumni are obtuse for overlooking this necessity and donating to make big glass buildings instead.
My proudest accomplishment while at the UO is … presenting the Talk project to the American Leadership Forum, Oregon Chapter. Talk is an interview project created to illuminate connections between people on campus. A student colleague and I thought the whole thing up and I’ve been working on it in Allen Hall Advertising for two years. In March, we nailed a complete presentation of the project. I’ve done a lot of presenting the past four years, but nothing compared to explaining this idea, and the life it took on, to an intelligent, receptive audience.
While pursuing my degree I was most inspired by … advice from UO Alum, Scott Bedbury (the branding genius behind Nike and Starbucks). He is a great person who has built a magnificent career. If anyone has the right to rest on his laurels, it’s Scott, but instead of retiring from the world’s problems he’s taking a stance and committing his talents to the greater good.
My UO degree is valuable because … it’s not something I can lose. Things that are the most valuable cannot be stolen or misplaced, or broken. My education is in my brain, where it will stay securely, until I lose my marbles.
After graduation, I plan to use my degree from the UO to … manipulate children into thinking I’m cool. Just kidding. Manipulating adults. Just kidding. Advertising.
Seriously, I’m going to be working at an awesome agency in Los Angeles called 72 and Sunny as a junior strategist. I’m responsible for building strategy behind an advertising or branding campaign and finding insights about people. On Fridays, I think I’m the designated ping-pong ball shagger.
