Picture it: an annoyingly involved student who actually enjoyed four years at a large high school. When it came time to decide on a college (after 20+ college tours and 11ish applications,) Alabama became the obvious choice. Scholarships? #1 public relations program in the country? Sunny weather and school spirit? Sign me up. To top it off, I had the pristine image of me in a sundress on gameday, happily dating one of the “charming” southern boys – who undoubtedly had the southern swoosh hair style and a pair of loafers he lived in. (Laughing at myself a bit right now. It gets better.) We would be a campus power couple and move to Birmingham after graduation.
Then, my parents dropped me off at Ridgecrest West, and almost immediately I knew that none of the above was going to be what revealed itself to me. (Still laughing.)
Yet, looking back at these last four years, I can’t imagine myself being anywhere but here. It wasn’t without a lack of effort that I found my place here; I hilariously tried everything freshman year, to no avail. You name it, I applied or interviewed for it… and did not get it. From Freshman Forum and Alabama Action leadership teams to Diamond Dolls, I became very accustomed to the words “We’re sorry to inform you, but…” popping up in my Crimson mail. And it was the best thing that could’ve happened to me.
It forced me to suck it up, pull up the UA campus calendar and try the next thing, attend the next meeting. It gave me the free time to freelance write for major news outlets and secure my first internship. It pushed me to consider Greek life through Continuous Open Bidding. And, in the end, it shaped me as a friend, leader and person as a whole. It led me to organizations that, without which I would undoubtedly be unemployed and disappointed with my college experience: the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) and Capstone Agency.
PRSSA and Capstone Agency provided some of the best mentors, friends and opportunities I ever could have imagined. From traveling across the country to stepping out of my comfort zone to run for a national leadership position, to late nights in Reese Phifer and getting to be the “gossip girl” social media voice of the College of Communication & Information Sciences (secret’s out now. You know you love me. Xoxo #CISgirl.) These people and the missions of these organizations have reminded me the value of prioritizing things like mentorship and enriching experiences above, you know, Netflix and Wine Wednesday.
Somehow, after all of the rejection and the feeling of not being settled for so long, little by little this place became home. My friends, sorority sisters, co-workers and advisers deserve all the credit here. Without their putting up with my incomprehensible schedule, incessant rambling about all things PR and Wegmans, and sometimes concerning exhaustion, I would have burned out long ago and continued to wonder if I was in the right place, doing the right things. I owe you all the world and hope you know how much I appreciate your patience and love (you’re included in this too, parents and siblings; the long-distance support was unwavering and meant so much.)
If you’re still reading, here’s your takeaway: whether home is five miles away or 1,000 like for me, there is opportunity for each and everyone one of you to have a home here. It’s not going to be easy. It may not be quick. But it will be worth it. Life isn’t going to provide an automatic friend group or deliver a cause you’re passionate about to your door, but it is going to shape you and provide opportunities that will keep you going through the midterms and group projects.
The naive high school overachiever got a little wake-up call here. I’m not moving to Birmingham, there’s no ring-by-spring or boy with Bama bangs and loafers. Instead, I’m moving to New York with a bunch of Comfort Color t-shirts, friends and memories to last a lifetime. And, if I had to go back and do it all again, I would do it all the same.
Bloom where you are planted. Bloom where you are planted, and those around you and the things in which you’re involved will flourish. Believe that — and roll tide.
Sarah Grace Dougherty is a senior from Allentown, Pennsylvania, majoring in public relations and Spanish with a global studies certificate. She is the outgoing National Vice President of Career Services for PRSSA. After graduation, she will move to New York City to begin her job as a Client Staff Assistant at Burson-Marsteller, a global public relations firm.
