Advertising. It’s the type of major people either hate or go into. I chose to go into it and even I wonder what I’m thinking at times. In essence, advertising is the art of manipulation. All day you ask questions: What will make people want this? How are they going to go from the desire to buy to the actual purchase? If you’re selling an idea or image, how do you change perception? For me, it’s perfect. Constant questioning means constant thoughts and constant evolution of ideas. However, it also means sometimes selling something that people can never attain so they never stop buying, perfection. This often causes a conflict of morals within me as I am not an immoral or cruel person, how can I abuse peoples’ insecurities for the gain of a capitalistic company or cause? This is how I’ve come to terms with it: We live in a capitalistic society where people make money to buy things. It is both the responsibility of the buyer to be aware of the reality of the product they are being sold and the seller of the product to adhere to the ethical code to which they are held.

I came into BU as an undecided student of the College of Communication, the creativity and changing landscape of the fields within the college appealed to me but I have always considered another profession, teaching. This is what led me to pursue a major concentration in Religious Studies. I grew up a Catholic school-girl and I loved every moment of it. Religion fascinates me, all personal beliefs aside and I would love to teach on the subject if my career path ever led me that way. While I love what I’m studying I still consider the possibility of pursuing an M.A. in education after BU. I’m entirely comfortable with the ambiguity of my future due to my conflicting interests. Both are fulfilling for me, both can be positive and the beauty of college is that it allows me to have multiple interests without restriction.

Advertising, Alexandra, Capitalism, College of Communication, Manipulation, Teaching Making the Grade