Emily Schnaare
July 20, 2021
Emily Schnaare (2021)
Emily currently works in the design and construction industry as a marketing coordinator in the St. Louis area. After graduating from Truman in 2017, she returned to St. Louis and worked as a marketing assistant at a local architectural firm, before choosing to pursue her Master’s degree. She then moved to the United Kingdom to complete a year-long graduate program in the Cultural & Creative Industries at King’s College London. In her spare time, she enjoys writing, playing the guitar, and traveling with her friends and family.
What year did you graduate and what was your concentration?
I graduated in 2017 with a concentration in Public Communication.
What extra-/co-curricular activities did you do?
I started working in the Programming Department at KTRM my sophomore year, and continued to work there until the end of college. I was also a member of Lambda Pi Eta.
Did you go to grad school? If so, where? Was it immediately after you left Truman or did you wait? Why?
Emily hanging out in London while in grad school (2019).
Yes, I completed a year-long graduate program in the Cultural & Creative Industries at King’s College London. I knew I wanted to get my Master’s after undergrad, but didn’t know what I wanted to pursue right away. I was studying for the GRE the year after graduating from Truman, when I came across the program at King’s. I studied abroad in London while at Truman and liked the idea of spending some more time there, and the field of study was fascinating to me, so I went ahead and applied.
What was your first job after graduation?
The year after graduating I worked at Lawrence Group, an architecture firm based in St. Louis, as a Marketing Assistant.
What work do you do/What are you doing now?
I work in the marketing department at Civil Design, Inc., a St. Louis-based engineering firm.
How has your Liberal Arts/COMM education helped you?
Both my liberal arts and Communication education have offered me a greater depth of perspective, and taught me the value of being able to explore possible solutions to a problem through more than one lens.
On a more practical level, my Communication education pushed me to get out of my comfort zone when it came to things like public speaking and collaborative projects. Going into my first job after college, I was more capable, confident, and frequently drew on my college education when tackling new challenges.
Emily and a friend touring the Irish countryside while studying abroad (2015).
Which class did you dislike at the time you took it, but now you’re grateful you took it?
Probably Experimental Methods—it’s particularly helpful if you ever plan to complete any post-graduate study. My graduate program required a similar course, but having a background on the appropriate research methods and practices provided an advantage throughout my entire graduate experience, especially while writing my dissertation.
What was your greatest accomplishment at Truman?
Anything related to my experience at KTRM—contributing to a station that really felt like our own was immensely rewarding, and also allowed me to really grow as a person. I made awesome friends working there and learned how fulfilling it could be to collaborate with those that care about something just as much as you do.
What would you say a COMM student should absolutely do while at Truman?
Get involved in student media! Student media provides a great way to gain applicable, real-world experience, cultivate your skillset, and prepare for future opportunities.
Why is Truman a good place for a student to study?
Every moment of the learning experience feels more immersive—your classroom sizes are small, you get to know the people in your major, and there are a lot of accessible opportunities to take advantage of on campus. Truman’s interdisciplinary philosophy really teaches you how to think critically, and broadens your understanding and view of the world.
Emily (left) and friends visiting a museum while she was studying in London (2019).
What advice would you give someone who wants to go into the same line of work as you?
Take the time to learn some of the programs in Adobe Creative Suite, if you can. While not all jobs require it, familiarity with Adobe programs looks great on a resume and is something you see listed often on marketing-related job postings.
What do you miss most about campus/Kirksville?
Emily (center) and friends at graduation (2017).
Most definitely, the people and sense of community.
If you could come back to Truman and teach a class for a semester, what would be its title and what would it be about?
I’m not sure about a title, but I’d love to teach a course focusing on cultural memory.
What did we not ask that you think is important for people to know?
I would reiterate how valuable an experience getting involved on campus can be. It’s a great way to meet people, learn new things, and explore your interests outside of the classroom.