CHSS Connection Podcast Episode 0: Pilot

EMMA:  
Welcome to CHSS Connection, a podcast where we interview different students about all things CHSS, from academics to careers to everything in between. What exactly is CHSS? That's the College of Humanities and Social Sciences here at Mason. This is a student success podcast for CHSS students by CHSS students. However, if you're not a CHSS student, welcome! We're so glad you're here. 
I'm Emma Howard. 
CADIE: 
And I'm Cadie Junker. 
 BOTH: 
And we're your hosts. 
CADIE: 
Today is the chance for you to get to know us and get a feel for the vibe of the podcast. This is a brand new project that we're both so excited about. And in this episode, we will be interviewing each other and explaining a bit about the podcast structure. That way you guys know what to expect going forward.  
With that said, shall we get into our questions?  
 EMMA: 
Yes, Cadie, what's your grade and major? 
 CADIE: 
So I am a junior Communications major with a concentration in Public Relations. What about you? 
 EMMA: 
I am a senior English major. I have my concentrations in Literature and Screen Cultures, which is kind of like video and media studies. I'm also studying Theater Education in the School of Theater. 
CADIE: 
Very cool. Very cool. And why did you choose your major? 
 EMMA: 
Okay, it's a little convoluted, but I will summarize as best as I can.  
 CADIE: 
That's okay.  
 EMMA: 
Okay, so before I came to Mason, I was actually a student at NOVA. 
I transferred here beginning my junior year, and I was really undecided at NOVA. I was not sure what I wanted to do. I mean, I was looking at like psychology, business. 
Never once did I consider English, actually, but I knew that I was leaning towards theater and I was really drawn to theater education. Now, NOVA did not have a transferable associates for theater. They only had like a 15, 18 credit certificate. 
So my advisor and I landed on the closest subject with the most intersection with theater, which was English.  
 CADIE: 
Ah. 
 EMMA: 
And again, to be clear, I never thought I would be an English major.  
CADIE: 
And now that you are, do you like it? Do you enjoy it?  
EMMA:  
I do! I do. I took my second year of NOVA, of taking some really great literature classes and just getting more comfortable with finding my voice in my writing, and also just rediscovering my love for reading and reading academically. 
CADIE: 
Yes.  
EMMA: 
I really do love the English major, and coming to Mason has really only continued to enhance that passion.  
CADIE: 
Mm-hm.  
EMMA: 
Now, why did you choose your major? 
CADIE: 
Wouldn't you believe it? It's also kind of convoluted. So, I went into high school really wanting to do film, right? 
And so, I wanted to do writing, and I've always loved writing since I was very, very little. So, I looked up, you know, what would be the best programs to go into screenwriting, and everything was telling me do English, not film, actually, specifically with creative writing, because that's going to essentially flesh out your craft, right? However, because I liked writing so much, I also considered journalism, and I really enjoy talking to people, and I really enjoy getting to hear so many different perspectives on so many different things. 
And it kind of came down to either doing film back in my home state or doing Communications here at Mason. And I chose Communications here at Mason.  
So again, I never really saw myself as a Comm major, but I love it. I wouldn't change it. I'm really excited to discuss it on this podcast because I think we get a bad rep, and I am grateful for the opportunity to knock that reputation down a few pegs. 
 EMMA: 
Yeah. No, I hear you. English majors are always hit with the question of, oh, so you want to teach? 
CADIE: 
Yeah.  
 EMMA: 
No, stop, please.  
I'm curious how you got into your PR concentration. 
CADIE: 
So I still wanted to be involved in the film world, and I got an internship my senior year, and it really made me realize the parts about film that I enjoyed the most was the marketing, the branding, and the relationships that actors and people behind the scenes form with their audience. And that's not writing. That's PR. 
That's not actually film production like that at its core is public relations.  
EMMA: 
Yeah. How fun. 
And so, leading me into my next question of, it sounds like the program here at Mason is what drew you to come here. So why did you choose Mason? 
CADIE: 
One hundred percent. So, I actually get this question a lot because fun fact about me, I'm from Albuquerque, New Mexico. And whenever I tell people that they're always like, how did you find George Mason? 
What are you doing out here? And I always tell them the same story was that one day I got a letter from GMU inviting me to their Washington Journalism and Media Conference. And I thought it was a scam. I thought these people were trying to get my money, telling me “you could go to Washington! Wow!”  
And so I go inside, and I show this letter to my mom, and she's like, “No, this isn't a scam. This is this is a very much a real thing. Do you want to go?” And I went, “Yeah, I want to go!” 
So that's how I found Mason. And, you know, I got a fee waiver. So, I decided to apply. 
They gave me a really good scholarship. And, you know, we're right here, really close to D.C. And being from Albuquerque, there are so many opportunities out here that I would never really even dream of getting. So, it was just kind of the best of all worlds. 
Location I enjoyed. Very good program. Good scholarships. 
Just kind of made the most sense.  
EMMA: 
Yeah. 
CADIE: 
What about you? 
EMMA: 
So, opposite situation. I have been aware of George Mason all my life. My entire family has attended and graduated from George Mason literally going back to like the 1980s. 
CADIE: 
Oh, wow. 
EMMA: 
Yeah. 
So I'm sure...  I don't know if you're aware, and listeners maybe maybe know of Buchanan Hall. Yeah. So apparently, my dad interned for him in the 1980s. 
CADIE: 
Oh! 
EMMA: 
I know. I learned about this this past summer. So like, yeah, like my mom and my dad got like business degrees. 
And my sister graduated from the nursing program in 2020. My brother graduated with a degree in criminology. And then I'm the arts kid. 
I'm doing English and theater and film. 
CADIE: 
Yeah, yeah. 
EMMA: 
But I wanted to come to Mason because one, I'm already familiar with the place. I remember literally living with my sister or visiting her in President's Park and sleeping on her futon when I was 12. And another thing too is also opposite to your situation. 
I'm from Woodbridge, Virginia, which is like 30 minutes away here from George Mason. So, it's close to home. The summer before I had transferred into Mason, my sister just had her first daughter. And it was the first grandchild of the family.  
And so, I was like, oh, there's so many new and exciting things happening. Now's really not the time I'm ready to leave and to go far away from home. 
Another thing too is that just as you said, DC, North Virginia, Fairfax, so many opportunities for the arts and humanities. I also just didn't really know of any other place to go. I did do a tour of VCU, like my first year at NOVA. 
CADIE: 
Yeah. 
EMMA: 
And I visited. I was like, you know, this is cool. But I remember visiting and seeing that, like VCU, is literally embedded into the streets of Richmond, which in so many ways has its own advantages. 
But I remember them saying that, like, for example, the college library was also a public library for like the for the city, which is very neat and I think really great for like accessibility reasons. But I don't know. I really like how George Mason offers its own little bubble. 
It's its own little active world within the active world of Fairfax, within the greater world of Northern Virginia. So, I kind of like that George Mason has its own bustling environment going on. 
CADIE: 
Yes. It's a very traditional college experience, with the exception of not having a D1 football team, but that's neither here nor there. And speaking of college experience, what's the best class you've taken here at Mason? 
EMMA: 
My gosh, so many, so many. A few that I have really made sure just to note in my mind. So my very first semester, I took American Women Writers in Movies, taught by Dr. Lisa Koch. I had a media criticism class; it was actually a communications class, taught by Dr. Timothy Gibson. This last spring, I had 19th century British novels with Dr. Kristin Samuelian. And then class that actually resulted in me gaining a really fantastic mentor here at George Mason is it was a Shakespeare literature course where we focused on non-normative Shakespeare taught by Dr. Jennifer Wood. Those are just some of the classes I've taken. Honestly, I feel like every class I've taken, especially since I transferred in going into like coming into like the 300s, 400s, you know, they get a little more specific. 
CADIE: 
Yeah.  
EMMA: 
I mean, I feel like I've taken something from every class that I've attended.  
CADIE: 
Nice. 
EMMA: 
What about you? What have been some of the best classes you've taken? 
CADIE: 
So in full transparency, I'm also a sort of transfer student. 
EMMA: 
That’s right! 
CADIE: 
But we can get more into my experience with that later in this interview. But I've only taken one full semester of classes here at Mason. Because last semester I was in Spain. 
But even then, like there are some very significant standouts in my mind. So, COMM 203, which is Introduction to Journalism. If there are any newly incoming journalism concentrations, take that class with Brenna Maloney. 
She is fantastic. She is an amazing professor. I loved her class. 
And it broke my heart when I realized I wanted to go into Public Relations and not journalism because I wanted to take more of her classes. As far as my fellow PR concentrations out there, any class you can get with Dr. Diddi is going to be fantastic. I have her for my Intro to PR this semester. 
And she is so incredibly supportive. I love her class. The way that she really presents things to you really makes it make sense. 
And it gives you a much better foundational understanding of what public relations is. Because if you're going into this field, you are going to hear a lot: “Well, how's that different from advertising or marketing or this or that?” 
Not unfair questions.  
But it's important you know how to answer those questions. And Dr. Diddi will give you a fantastic way to answer those questions. So those are my recs. So favorite project that you've done here at Mason? 
EMMA: 
Yeah. Okay. To clarify, when you say project, are we talking academic projects, creative projects? 
CADIE: 
Just I would say overall.  
EMMA: 
Overall, okay. 
CADIE: 
I would say something that you have done for Mason. So that's normally an academic project, but...  
EMMA: 
Of course, one academic project that comes to mind, it was for my American Women Writers course, my very first semester here. It was the final project.  
We had to pick a topic, and we essentially had to create this sort of like very short graphic presentation of whatever we were doing our topic on. And to provide a little context about like what the class was actually doing was we were essentially looking at the four waves of feminism in the United States. And we would watch a movie or read a text that was representative of that wave. 
And so, I for my final project, I hope I can remember this properly, because things just move so quickly in college. But my final project was I took the what is it the 2019 and 1990s something film, and the original book of Little Women.  
I took those adaptations of Little Women. And I kind of connected them to each wave of feminism. And I was like, this really was a perfect intersection of like my Literature and Screen Cultures concentrations.  
CADIE: 
Yeah. 
EMMA: 
And it was like, that was a project that like I was thoroughly remembered. Like, I'm actually really enjoying going through this process and like writing about this and researching this, and then getting to talk about it. But no, I just really love that because I love the story of Little Women. 
And then also getting to take the context and knowledge from what we covered in that class. And that was just a really unique project that just stands out to me. 
CADIE: 
Yeah.  
EMMA: 
What about for you?  
CADIE: 
So, really one comes to mind. I'm also part of the Honors College. And your first semester in the Honors College, you take 110, which is the research class. And you create a selective literature review for that class,  and I did mine on dopamine and social media algorithms, and how algorithms are created to trigger our dopamine receptors.  
And that's why we become so addicted to social media. The way that it affects our dopamine receptors is incredibly similar to the way that alcohol or drug use does. 
So that was really interesting. Kind of scary, but really interesting. And I was just very grateful for how that project came together. 
I'm so grateful for my teacher, Maoria Kirker, who is absolutely excellent. She's a great 110 teacher. Just that project overall. 
Like I said, I haven't really been here at Mason physically for that long. So, but that is still something that really stands out to me. 
EMMA: 
Yeah. That sounds like a really incredible project to get to work on and learn about. Backpedaling just a little bit. 
CADIE: 
Just a tad.  
EMMA: 
Tell me about your transfer experience, Cadie. 
CADIE: 
Okay. So yes, I am technically a transfer student, although that title seems weird to me because I am transfer through dual credit. So my high school, and I'm very lucky that this was the case, was incredibly supportive of me going and taking dual credit classes at the local community college. 
So I went to Central New Mexico Community College. I did two years full-time and then an extra year of just doing Spanish classes there. And I was able to graduate with my English Associates about a month before I graduated from high school, which was absolutely amazing. 
I'm so grateful for that. And because of that, I was able to get a lot of credits to transfer in. Surprisingly, pretty much all of them transferred. 
The only one that didn't was my Spanish 102, because George Mason just doesn't accept 102 transfers. They want to make sure that you take either 102 or 115 here at Mason before you go on to that intermediate level. Or you can take like placement tests and things like that if you really don't want to take it. 
But I was fine with that. So, it was actually very easy, very smooth. And like I said, I think my transfer student experience, in quotes, is very similar to any other high schooler's experience coming into college. 
Except because of my background in dual credit, it didn't really feel like a huge shock to my system because I had been taking college classes since I was 15. 
EMMA: 
Yeah, wow. My transfer experience was, I started college in 2022 after I graduated from high school. And again, I was just, I'm just going to go to NOVA. 
I was not really sure about where I wanted to attend. And then I've already shared the story about how I landed on getting my English associates. Going into my second year at NOVA, I learned about the ADVANCE program. 
I was going to NOVA under the impression that, oh, I'm just going to do the guaranteed admissions program. But then I learned that there were a lot of technicalities and nuances to that where if you missed a step, oh, now you have to apply competitively or not all of your credits are going to be transferred over. So that just gave me a lot of anxiety. 
And so I joined the ADVANCE program, which was really neat. And I highly recommend, I mean, I think anyone listening to this podcast is already here at Mason. But if you have friends who are considering joining the ADVANCEprogram, encourage them to do so because I joined the advanced program, I became a non-degree student here at Mason.  
So, I actually had access to all of Mason's utilities, facilities, like career services, financial aid, advising, even sometimes like I had a coach. And so I really had all these great opportunities to start interacting with Mason. 
And then also just made the matriculation process seamless. Every credit I earned at Nova transferred here. 
CADIE: 
Yeah. 
EMMA: 
Which is splendid. 
CADIE: 
I have a question for you.  
EMMA: 
Yeah.  
CADIE: 
So, when you applied to Mason, you applied as a transfer student, correct? 
EMMA: 
Because of the advanced program, I don't even think I did a technical application to Mason.  
CADIE: 
Oh, you were just in.  
EMMA: 
I was because I was already in. I was already in as a non-degree student.  
CADIE: 
Gotcha. 
EMMA: 
And my coach handled so much of the paperwork and making sure that everything was smoothed over for me. I didn't have to fill out an application, no essay, no nothing. 
CADIE: 
Wow. That's great. See, I applied as a first year, not a transfer student. 
And that is something I asked my advisor about. I was like, hey, I have all these classes. Like I technically am a full time college student. 
What do I apply as? And she said, just apply as a first year. On this podcast, we do want to hear from transfer students who applied to Mason as transfer students. 
EMMA: 
Yes 
CADIE: 
So if you are a CHSS student who's also a transfer student, come on the podcast. 
EMMA: 
Cadie,  
CADIE: 
Yes.  
EMMA: 
We've already talked a lot about classes we've taken, some of the connections we've made. But so far in your experience here at Mason, what's been your favorite memory? 
CADIE: 
If I'm sticking to physically on Mason campus, it has to be the spooktacular last year. So, this was my freshman year.  
EMMA: 
Tell me more. What?  
CADIE: 
I can see you holding back your laughter. The audience can't see that, though. So, I'm telling it to them. You're holding back laughter right now.  
And it sounds kind of ridiculous, but it's Mason's Halloween party that they do. 
And this was my first time being away from home for an extended period of time. It was my first time being away from my parents, my friends. I'm in a long distance relationship, right? 
But going to that spooktacular with my friends was such a core piece of freshman year because it is one of the standout moments, and it wasn't the first time that I thought this, but it was one of the most prominent where I truly felt like, yes, this was the best decision I could have made. This is why I chose Mason to be able to have this time with my friends, to be able to enjoy fall out here. 
It was just such an amazing night, and getting to meet people from all over the country was fantastic.  
And it was so different. And it was so new. It just reminded me, yes, this is why you decided to go to school, not just out of state, but across the country.  
EMMA: 
Right. 
CADIE: 
What about you?  
EMMA: 
Yeah, my favorite memory so far has been, it was in my English 301 class. I loved that class because I loved it because I loved the people in that class. And I love the professor.  
Look, let's be real. We all have like our unconsciously assigned seats by like week three in our classes. 
CADIE: 
100%.  
EMMA: 
And my table, we all became a group that semester. Starting around, I think it was beginning of October, my friend, Elias, Elias Collier, I hope you're listening to this episode. I'm about to shout you out. Elias had the idea that, guys, we need to dress up for Halloween. 
We need to do something for Halloween because we were going to have class on October 31st. And so we went as the family from Family Guy. 
CADIE: 
I love that. Oh, my gosh.  
EMMA: 
I have not watched a single full episode of Family Guy, though. I knew of some of the characters. 
I’d seen those like reels on TikTok and Instagram. I was like, I know their names. I really don't know their personalities. 
So, we all like went around and we're like assigning each other like Elias went as  Lois. Which if you know...  
CADIE: 
That's beautiful. That's beautiful. 
EMMA: 
And we all like a month in advance, we're buying costumes and I bought like a pink beanie and shirt and like Amazon ordered it. That was the first time I also figured out how to use like the Hub, which was really exciting. And sothen October 31st came around. 
If you were to like scan the classroom, you would see like students, some of them dressed in normal clothes, maybe some of them wearing like fun costumes. And then right out of the cartoon is the Family Guy family. So it'slike... 
CADIE: 
That’s so funny. 
EMMA:  
And we took so many great pictures. I just remember that moment being so affirming because for so many reasons, it felt like the time I had been spending to make connections and find community here at Mason and within the English program as well, it finally clicked. I feel like I found like I found peers. 
I felt so assured that no, like this is like you were saying, this is why I'm here. I have community. I have a space. 
It was so, so affirming. And I still haven't watched Family Guy.  
CADIE: 
It's okay. Me neither.  
EMMA: 
In addition to that, I've been trying to expand my reach and my interactions here at Mason. And so that leads me to my next question of Cadie, what resources here at Mason have you utilized so far?
CADIE: 
I get to talk about studying abroad now! 
EMMA: 
Oh, yay! 
CADIE: 
Yay! Global Gateway, fantastic program. It is so incredibly rare for a university to have a freshman study abroad program. But GMU does. 
It's called Global Gateway. And if anybody is interested in studying abroad and are very sure about it, like I was, do Global Gateway.  
Because not only does it just get you out there so much sooner than a lot of other programs would, because a lot of other programs are geared towards juniors or seniors, but then you're concerned about credits, which I think is why GMU has the freshman program, because you're a freshman, you shouldn't be that worried about credits yet.  
Two, the second reason why I highly recommend Global Gateway is that your first semester at Mason, you are taking a prep class. It's a one credit hour course. 
This preparation class gives you so much more insight into the visa process, into the culture, into the school you'll experience out there. It also allows you to meet the people you're going out there with beforehand. So, by the time I got to Spain, I already knew who I was going to be hanging out with. 
I knew people who lived right by me. We were already sort of a community. It was great. 
And that really helps with culture shock. I couldn't imagine doing a study abroad program and not knowing anybody from the get go. That would be so incredibly hard. 
So the Global Education Office, GEO, Global Gateway, I love all those programs. I'm so grateful that Mason has them.  
Yeah. What about you?  
EMMA: 
Yeah. Well, a note about study abroad. I've always wanted to study abroad. I should do it. 
I want to, but as you know, it is time consuming and money consuming. Oh? 
CADIE: 
Fun fact about money consuming. You're an in-state student. So, this might be a little bit different. 
Depending on the program, you will pay in-state tuition or less. So, I paid less than what I normally pay. I'm an out-of-state student, so obviously my tuition's a little bit higher, but my second semester was cheaper than my first semester because I was in Spain.  
Now you have to buy flights and things like that. Plus, you know, whatever money you want to use to go travel. 
But... talk to your advisors about specific programs because the cost might be cheaper than you expect. 
EMMA: 
Yeah. That's assuring to hear because I know that a lot of people have found a lot of joy and success in study abroad. When I think about resources that I've used, I actually think about what I've used most recently, we're talking about today.  
I started actually utilizing disability services because this is going to sound super ironic, but I'm an English major. I love reading. I even love writing, but I have writing anxiety. And so disability services, it was just like really helpful in acquiring accommodations. Today I got approved for housing accommodations. 
So, I get to move from a double suite to a single apartment, which is a... that's just something that I don't think a lot of people utilize as much as they can. From what I've observed, they can really help you with anything that you need, or they can at least support you to get the accommodations that you need. And I'll say a lot of people don't know where they're located. 
They're located in sub one, along with a bunch of other resources. 
CADIE: 
Yes, sub one is like a gold mine. And one of the things that we're planning on doing on this podcast is highlighting a lot of these resources. And I think probably eight times out of 10, the resources are going to be in sub one. 
EMMA: 
I will say though, I'm glad I've utilized disability services, but there's still a ton of resources. I have only just started to really get to know. 
CADIE: 
Yeah.  
EMMA: 
There's something called contemporary student services. 
CADIE: 
Yes!  
EMMA: 
It's a great resource, a great office. They're located on the lowest floor, the last bottom floor of the Hub.  
CADIE: 
I know I went into their lounge one day because I was waiting for my friend to get off of work from student media. Nathan, if you're listening to this, I'm talking about you. 
I hope you come on the pod! You're a Comms major! Come and join me. 
We can chat. Anyways, and I walk into the contemporary students' lounge, and it is so nice.  
EMMA: 
Right? No, it's very nice. When we say contemporary student services, that literally includes everyone.
CADIE: 
They're for transfer students, first gen. If you're a college student who has a child, they are for you. I forget what other students they service. 
But honestly, like going in there, I didn't even know. And they didn't even check like what type of contemporary student I was. 
EMMA: 
No, they don't. 
CADIE: 
Which even calling myself a transfer student is still kind of meh because I was basically the 18 year old fresh out of high school going into college. But I digress. For people who have more untraditional college experiences, gocheck them out. 
They're great. 
EMMA: 
Another thing that everyone should check out is how to get jobs and internships here at Mason. 
CADIE: 
Excellent segway. Excellent segway, Emma. 
EMMA: 
Thank you, Cadie. Yes. How have you found your jobs and internships here at Mason? 
CADIE: 
So I got really lucky. One, I found this internship through Handshake. Love Handshake. 
If you're not on Handshake, get on it. Especially if you need an on campus job, because I need an on campus job.  
And LinkedIn is nice. But a lot of the jobs that you find on there are not going to be on campus. They're going to be much more like traditional career focused jobs. If you want something on campus, get on Handshake. 
EMMA: 
Yes.  
CADIE: 
So, I found this internship through Handshake. I applied for it, you know, wrote my resume, cover letter, got the interview, got the next interview. 
And now I'm here. Yay. And then there is another scholarship slash internship thing that I have. 
That is for my on-campus ministry. And essentially, that kind of just fell into my lap where they were like, hey, you're doing a lot of work for us. We want to give you a scholarship to kind of compensate for that. 
EMMA: 
Yeah.  
CADIE: 
So yeah, those are kind of the two programs that I'm with. Of course, this one is the more formal, like actual internship. 
But that one is also something that I found here at Mason that I'm very grateful for. Yeah. Emma, what about you? Your jobs and internships.  
EMMA: 
Oooo ok! So all right. So my very first semester at Mason didn't get a job. 
I was behind on finding a job because I will say. 
CADIE 
I don't think that's behind, actually.  
EMMA: 
Okay.  
CADIE: 
I think now, obviously, this comes from a place of financial privilege. 
But if you can afford it, don't get a job your first semester of freshman year. Because you are taking a plunge into the deep end of sorts. And you are reexamining your life. 
And you're learning how to be an adult on your own for probably the very first time. I know that was the case for me. 
Plus, you know, I was going to Spain. And on my student visa, you can't work. So it just didn't really make sense for me to get a job.  
And I know that comes, again, from a place of financial privilege. But if you can't afford it, I would recommend not getting a job your first semester freshman year. 
EMMA: 
Yeah. 
I will say I was very lucky that I worked a lot that summer before coming into Mason, and so I had a nice cushion of money that protected me from literally going broke. I will say by the end of that fall semester, I think I had like$11 in my account. I really needed a job, guys. 
CADIE: 
Now you have a job! 
EMMA: 
I have so many jobs! 
CADIE 
So many jobs! 
EMMA: 
Yeah, I also utilized Handshake. My very first job was working at the Corner Pocket, the Hub. Love the student centers and the whole team there. 
I really recommend anyone who wants to go to the Corner Pocket, go. It's like the campus' arcade and game room. Super fun. Also, just a fun job.  
Then I worked as a Patriot leader, which is like the orientation leader where I worked over the summer. Through that, I've actually been promoted to student coordinator for orientation. 
And then over the last few months, I've also applied for, interviewed, and gotten offers for, one, this position. So the CHSS podcast production internship. I also am taking a university class right now to be a student strengths coach for the Center of Well-being here at Mason. That will be starting in the spring.  
Something I also want to highlight about Handshake, and this will lead me into the next really incredible position I have, is Handshake can also help you find internships and jobs outside of Mason. So, it's a really great resource to use for on-campus jobs. 
Cadie and I can absolutely attest to that. I am now an intern for scholarly programs at Folger Institute. It's the Folger Shakespeare Library in DC. 
I got that position through Handshake.  
CADIE: 
We love Handshake.  
EMMA: 
We love Handshake, guys. Please download it.  
CADIE: 
The other pro to Handshake that doesn't apply to LinkedIn, there's a lot less people on Handshake than there are on LinkedIn. So, you're competing against a lot less people. 
EMMA: 
It's also, I also feel like it's more organized in a way because especially if you link it to like your GMU account, it recognizes, oh, you're a George Mason student. Here's a whole collection of organizations and partnerships that George Mason has. So, it's like you get on Handshake because you will actually get to physically see the numerous connections that George Mason can offer you. 
CADIE: 
Yeah, for sure. 
EMMA: 
We did talk about the podcasting internship, which, this is a terrible segway,  
CADIE: 
It’s ok! 
EMMA: 
But kind of trying to transition into the next set of questions. This is a podcast. In order to get this job, we had to have some sort of experience with podcasting. Cadie, what's your background with podcasts?  
CADIE: 
So, you remember that film internship that I mentioned earlier? So, instead of doing a TV show, I decided to do podcasts. Honestly, I should have realized that I was always destined to be a Comm major and not a Films major way earlier than I actually did. 
So, I ran two different podcasts, the Peculiar Things podcast with my very good friend, Allegra. And that the tagline for that is where we discussed oddities, horror, and all things peculiar. So, we did episodes on like The Exorcist,and we did episodes on different creepypastas. 
So that was that podcast, right? We talked about a myriad of topics. I also love the word myriad.  
The other one that I did was called XYZ Dictionary. And that was where me, and my good friends, Melissa and Toni got together and we talked about different topics. And I am Gen Z, Melissa was Gen X, and Tony was Gen Y, hence the XYZ.  
And the dictionary part, each topic we covered, corresponded to a different letter in the dictionary. So, the goal was to eventually have like a huge catalog of different advice and multi-generational reflection on a bunch of different outlooks.  
And we got I think we have seven episodes with the internship because we recorded just for one semester. Because that was all we had the time for, unfortunately, but I loved those two projects. I look back on them very, very fondly. And I'm so excited to be here and doing yet another podcast.  
Emma, what about you?  
EMMA: 
My jump into the podcasting world only happened this year. 
I have been a listener, though, since I was 12.  
CADIE: 
Oh, yeah.  
EMMA: 
So, I've listened to podcasts for many, many years. 
I've kind of built my taste over the years, I came to Mason loving podcasting, and I want this to be a skill. I want this to be something that is meaningful, makes an impact, very similar to the shows that I love to listen to. I learned that George Mason actually has workshops and classes focused on radio and podcasting. 
So, this past spring, I took Podcasting and Radio Workshop 1 taught by Roger Smith. And that was a one-credit class. It really taught me the hands-on foundations of podcasting.
And I already had a little bit of understanding of sound because I done a lot of tech for theater and working with sound equipment and editing. But this was really neat because I was at the helm of getting to make my own podcast. I started a podcast called the Green and Gold Curtain that was tended to focus on showcasing the brilliance of the School of Theater of talking to people who were either affiliated with their work or even students and faculty in that program. 
CADIE: 
Very cool.  
EMMA: 
Then I learned about this podcast and or this this opportunity. And I will say guys, like when Cadie and I came on this project, this thing, it wasn't even a like a fetus. 
It wasn't a fetus. It was like a cell.  
CADIE: 
It was like it was the concept of conception. 
EMMA: 
Yes.  
CADIE: 
So we are a student success podcast. And I don't want that to come off as we must only talk about students who have experienced nothing but success in their entire life. 
And to be successful, you must be the best at whatever you do. That is not what I think of when I think of student success. When I think of student success, I think about you are achieving your goals, no matter how small or how mighty those goals may be. 
And we want to particularly highlight what resources have helped you achieve those goals along the way. And by resources, you know, we will have a specific episode highlighting on-campus resources, but that could be things like teachers, classes, your major, your education, but also your careers, internships, how you got those careers and internships. Anything that has helped you work towards your goals, whether that be academic, professional, personal, creative, et cetera, et cetera. That, to me, is student success. 
EMMA: 
Yeah. 
CADIE: 
What about you? 
EMMA:  
Yeah. You know, I echo everything that you've said. 
I feel like student success is not, I don't want to say temporary, but it's not always permanent. It's going to feel like it comes and goes. You know, I feel like we all have our highs and lows, especially in our education. 
You know, maybe we didn't get the grade we wanted. Maybe, you know, we weren't able to put in so much effort into a project or an essay that we wanted to, but you still did the thing. And I think that for me is what success is, is that you're still showing up or you're still trying to show up and do the best you can. That in so many ways to success. 
And then like, in additionally to, if we think about like our listenership and how you guys are college students and, you know, getting to college itself, not easy,  
CADIE: 
No! 
EMMA: 
Not easy! So already, yes, you may not know what you want to do in 10 years. I don't know what I want to do in five years. 
You may not have everything figured out, but you already have done so much with your life. Success is... I like to think of success as like a work in progress.  
CADIE: 
For sure. 
EMMA: 
I think that's my best definition of it.  
CADIE: 
And I think success and what that looks like changes for each and every person and it changes each and every day. To me, success yesterday meant finishing my homework in time. 
For me, success today means getting to be able to record with you. EMMA: 
Yeah. 
CADIE: 
And success tomorrow might look like something completely different. And that's okay.  
EMMA: 
Right. I know sometimes I feel this way where it's like success is what has is what drives me. 
But I drive my own success. If that makes sense.  
CADIE: 
Yes 
EMMA: 
I hate feeling like success is a bar that I have to reach. 
But I realized that I actually set the bar for my success. And so, there's so much, even if it doesn't feel like it sometimes, you have so much control. And I would say here at Mason, you have so much support to help you get in control of finding your own success. 
CADIE: 
100% because I can understand how you're in charge of your own destiny can feel really overwhelming for people.  
EMMA: 
Daunting. Oh my gosh, yeah.  
CADIE: 
And there are so many resources here that will help you with that. And you...   
It's nice because at the end of the day, you're the one who gets to call the final shot. There are people to help you to figure out what that shot should be.  
EMMA: 
Right. And speaking of, you know, taking your shot, what is one goal you are working towards this year? It could be academic, it could be professional, or even personal.  
CADIE: 
This is a really good question. And honestly, not one that I've been thinking about. 
This is a goal that I'm working towards this year, but is probably not a goal that I'm going to achieve for a very long time. And that's okay.  
EMMA: 
Yeah. 
CADIE: 
But working towards building a life that I can look at and genuinely be proud of. I spent a good amount of time in high school, and I don't want to come off as saying like my high school experience was awful, because it wasn't. It had its ups and downs, as I think everybody's did.  
But I spent a lot of time always rushing to get to the next thing or imagining what if my life could be better in this aspect, or this aspect, or this aspect, without ever really actively working towards it. And now that I'm in college, I feel like I have the agency to finally work towards it. 
I want to go do this thing. Great. How do I get there? I want to make these connections. 
Great. How do I make those connections? Just kind of working towards building a life that I can look back on in five to 10 years, where I'll be then I don't know, but one that I can genuinely be proud of. 
And I am proud of my high school life. But one where I no longer feel the need to just daydream about the life that I can build one day I want to actually start building that life.  
EMMA: 
Yeah, I hear you. 
There's one goal I'm working towards this year is, and I will say this has been a goal I've had for pretty much the entirety of my college career. And I really resonate with what you said about you're working towards something, but you may not achieve it in a year. And that's okay. 
If one thing I'm working towards is just finding clarity and what I want to do and where I want to go. That's partly why I take on so many opportunities and commitments and responsibilities, all of which I'm grateful for. That'sanother sub goal. 
And for myself of learning how to continuously balance the academic, the professional and personal, because it's all part of who I am. And I mean, and all of them are a part of the equation that equate to success for me.
CADIE: 
For sure. 
EMMA: 
Of building towards feeling happy and fulfilled in what I'm doing and the impact I'm making. And so yeah, that's one goal I have this year of just finding clarity and all the opportunities I'm doing, of where do I see myself? Just continuing to give myself the grace to learn about myself. 
CADIE: 
Yeah, for sure. And on that note, our final question for this interview segment. And this will be the final question for all of our interviewees. What's one piece of advice you'd like our listeners to hear? 
EMMA: 
So many, but one is, the biggest one that I've really held to in my moments of indecision on uncertainty, is if you feel stuck, just keep moving somewhere. I really imagine my journey as like walking in a forest and it's foggy. And I know I'm on a path, 
I don't know where it's going, and sometimes there's crossroads, but I can either choose to stay amidst that fog and uncertainty, or I can keep moving forward. And every once in a while the fog will clear and I'll gain more clarity and it'll come back sometimes but...  
All that my life has just reinforced within me is if you're stuck, just keep moving. Because if you're stuck and you choose to stay stuck, it won't change. So just keep moving. 
What about for you?  
CADIE: 
If you want to do something, but you don't have anybody to do it with, do it alone. Be safe when you're taking in that advice. You know? 
But going abroad and traveling alone, traveling to different countries where I knew maybe three words of the language alone, it teaches you so many different things about yourself, and it'll be out of your comfort zone, and it will be uncomfortable to spend that much time with yourself, but...  
The only relationship that you know for sure that you're going to have for your entire life is the one you have with yourself. And doing things alone, especially if you're in college, away from home for the first time, is a great way to form and heal, honestly, that relationship with yourself. And it's a great way to discover different aspects of your personality and to be like, you know what? Yeah, no, I actually do really like doing this stuff alone. 
So if there's a new cafe that opened up, but nobody wants to go with you, go alone. If there's a concert in town, be safe, be safe, but if you're able to go alone safely, go alone. 
Don't let others stop you from achieving the goals and doing the things that you want to do. Now be safe.  
That's my big asterisk, because I am a young woman. And you know, going to a concert late at night in DC probably isn't the safest idea, unfortunately. But like, in a perfect world. 
EMMA: 
Right.  
CADIE: 
And again, if it's something like a cafe, an event, something where you know that you have built in things in place, go do it alone. 
EMMA: 
Yeah. Well, with that said,  
CADIE: 
Let's hear about some advice from some other people. Woo! Segway!  
EMMA: 
Segway! Bulletin board things. Okay, now play the music.  
CADIE: 
Don't skip this! This isn't an ad break! 
Emma: 
This is the Bulletin Board. In every episode, this is where we will announce upcoming events and opportunities in CHSS.  
Every so often, we will also have a correspondent piece where we will hear from experts on the topic we are covering that episode. Expect to hear from advisors, faculty, and campus resources.  
Lastly, the Bulletin will include special shout-outs to the entities that make this show possible. Speaking of,  
CADIE: 
Welcome to the Mason Innovation Exchange, also known as The MIX, George Mason University's marketplace, media lab, and entrepreneurship incubator. 
Located in Horizon Hall, Rooms 1408, 1410, and 2100, the Mix gives you access to cutting-edge tools like 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC routers, textiles, and electronics. We also offer pathways into advanced opportunities through our micro-credential courses in blimp prototyping, drone prototyping, robotics, and the NSF iCorps program for student entrepreneurs. 
The Mix is always collaborating with student RSOs, academic departments and courses and events for the Mason community. Open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., the MIX hosts rotating workshops to help you kickstart your creative ideas. Learn more at themix.gmu.edu or find us on Mason360 under the Mason Innovation Exchange. 
Explore your potential at the MIX. 
CADIE: 
So what exactly will this podcast look like? Every month we're going to highlight a different program with each program getting five episodes in total.  
EMMA: 
Our first episode, Major Matters, will discuss everything about the major including concentrations and minors. Cadie, what are you excited about when it comes to the Major Matters episodes?  
CADIE: 
You know, I'm really excited for the opportunity to learn all about programs that I know nothing about, especially when it comes to some of the really popular programs we have here in CHSS. So, like Psychology, I've only ever taken one Psychology class, and it wasn't here at Mason, so I know very little. Same thing for Crim. 
I've never taken a Crim class, but it fascinates me. It sounds so interesting. So, I'm really excited to learn more about those programs, and those are also our biggest programs here, but also the smaller programs that I don't know that much about. 
What does it look like to be an integrative or individualized studies student? What about you?  
EMMA: 
Same thing, truly. I mean, I'm grateful that in my work as a Patriot Leader this past summer, I got to work with CHSS for virtual advising registration and get to work with students from different departments. The biggest takeaway was how much I actually don't know about the College of Humanities and Social Sciences because, I mean, I know some things going on in the English department and the various concentrations and minors that we have, but there's so many departments and majors that people don't even know are a part of CHSS. 
I'm also just really excited for us to get to learn, along with our listeners, about what CHSS has to offer.  
CADIE: 
For sure, 100%.  
Our second episode type is the Resource Roundup, which it will focus primarily on a resource that, really all CHSS students should know about, but may be particularly helpful for students in a certain program. 
Emma, what are you excited about? What do we want to learn?  
EMMA: 
I just want to learn more about CHSS-focused SROs. For instance, I only just learned very recently that the English department has an honor society. How many other majors in the college have fraternities, and honor societies, and clubs, and organizations that I think students would really be interested in getting involved with? I think a common theme amongst a lot of RSOs and organizations... and just resources. I will also add resources. They're all very accepting of being welcoming to everyone. If you want to go to an event and you're an English major and you want to learn more about sociology, go ahead. 
That's what I'm picking up on, but I just don't know where to find those events and those opportunities.  
CADIE: 
No, I definitely agree and resonate with everything you said. This year, I joined PRRSA, which is the Public Relations Student Society of America. 
Very exciting, very cool, but I had no idea that existed until this year. Granted, they did a great job. They came straight into the Intro to PR class. 
It was like, “Hey, we exist. If this is a career path that you want to pursue, then you should join us because we are a great organization.”  
EMMA: 
Moving on, our third episode, Halls to Horizon, is where we share how to go from academic halls to your career on the horizon. In other words, this episode will talk about careers, internships, and anything professional.  
Cadie, what's something that you're looking forward to with our third set of episodes?  
CADIE: 
I think, and this isn't to say that our other types of episodes aren't important, but this one is so essential if you are a current college student because I think all of us can relate to feeling some sort of post-grad employment anxiety. I know I definitely feel that. 
I consistently feel like I am falling behind and that there's no way I'm ever going to get a job or internship, but that's not true.  
And I'm really excited to hear from students. We will hear actual student testimonies of, here's how I did this, here's how I got into the career I want, into the field I want, and here's how you can do it too. 
EMMA: 
Right.  
CADIE: 
So yeah, I think if there's any episodes of this podcast to listen to, you should listen to all of them.  
EMMA: 
Please. 
CADIE 
However, if you don't have that time, this is the one you really do not want to skip out on. 
EMMA: 
Yeah. I'll also add the third type of episode is where this podcast itself also becomes a resource to you because we plan to have a chess career-specific advisor, Rachel Lindsey, on with us as a correspondent of sorts who will be able to offer tips and advice and insight into whatever industry we're talking about that episode, which in many ways can also be applicable to what you, the listener, are studying or want to study or the industry you want to go into. And so, we hope it's a through line through every episode that you'll be able to take something away, no matter what major or club we're covering. 
Third type of episodes, Halls to Horizon, you want to tune in for that.  
CADIE: 
For sure. Then we have our fourth episode type, the Green and Gold Guidebook, where we will discuss a certain topic that may not fit with the other three. 
Expect topics like study tips, the transfer student experience, highlighting the BAM program, et cetera, et cetera. Emma, this is our kind of like wildcard topic.  
EMMA: 
It is.  
CADIE: 
What do you want to highlight? What are you excited about delving into?  
EMMA: 
Anything and everything, to be so for real. Whichever guest we have on, they're going to get to be with us to kind of steer what that conversation is going to be like. What is the topic of the episode? What do you feel qualified? What do you feel you have such passion to speak about and to give voice to? And I'll say Green and Gold Guidebook will be another episode type that I feel like will be applicable to a lot of people. 
CADIE: 
Yes. 
EMMA: 
And if it's not applicable to you, well, then it's a great opportunity to get to learn about some different perspectives that you may not be aware that are living and thriving here at Mason.  
CADIE: 
Yeah. For sure. No, I agree. 
I'm excited for the opportunity to kind of break from the format that we've had and talk about topics that our guest really wants to talk about and are really passionate about, because there might not be things that you and I think of as we go through this process. But there may be something that our guests bring up, and that is such a great idea and will be such a great opportunity for other CHSS students and other GMU students to learn about, to hear about.  
I'm also excited to highlight the BAM program because I think it's just a fantastic program, especially for people who want to go to grad school. 
So, that's my excitement. I really want to make it clear like, this podcast is for you guys. It is for you who is listening to this episode right now. 
If there is something that you feel like you want to know more about, if there is a resource, if there is a thing in your life that you feel needs clarity, like academic wise, then please let us know. The purpose of this podcast is to highlight student success, yes, but to also show others how to be a successful student and the help and resources that are here for you to be that successful student. And if we're not highlighting those resources and that help that you can get, then we're not doing our jobs correctly.  
EMMA: 
Yeah. Let us know.  
I will step up from that and say that if you want to take a step further than just letting us know, we'll have a form for you guys to fill out if you want to be a guest on the podcast and actually get to talk about what you're passionate about, what you feel needs to be shared to share your Mason story. And so, with that, going into our fifth episode type, which will be like a rotating spotlight episode that will also take place the....  
Cadie 
The fourth week. 
EMMA: 
So, in the fourth week of the month, you'll get two episodes. The fifth type will be a special spotlight episode highlighting the work of either a faculty member or an alumnus.  
CADIE: 
The fact that alumnus is the singular of that. 
EMMA: 
Yeah.  
CADIE 
Because I always hear it as alumni.  
EMMA: 
Right. 
CADIE: 
I just I never hear it as alumnus. But that's who that's who we're interviewing. We're interviewing somebody who used to go to GMU and don't anymore because they do fantastic work. 
And they're another great example of how you go from where you're at right now to somewhere where you want to be five years down the line.  
EMMA: 
Exactly. And so, this could be research-focused or career-focused. 
It's going to depend on who we have as guests. But I know that I'm just really excited to really hear from voices that either work here, and that'll be a really great opportunity for listeners to know what their faculty and staff are doing, because, you know, that's a great way of you hear a faculty member talk about something that they're working on or want to research... we'll ask them to leave their email in the episode and then reach out to them.   
Or we have an alum and you hear about the work that they're doing, you know, reach out to them. We're going to try and make sure that every guest they'll leave their contact information so you can always follow up and ask questions to the more experienced figures. 
CADIE: 
Yeah, for sure. I'm so excited to be able to sit down and interview with everybody who was once a part of CHSS or who is maybe a part of CHSS in a not-student way.  
EMMA: 
Yeah. Yeah.  
CADIE: 
For CHSS faculty, you know, because I think that is a great way for listeners to, again, hear about research opportunities, yes, but if faculty are shouting out their classes, then that might give you a good example of the classes you'd like to take, even if you're not in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.  
I know for Mason Core, you still got to take some humanities and social sciences classes.  
EMMA: 
Yes. 
CADIE: 
So really, everybody at GMU is a CHSS student.  
EMMA: 
Yes. Well said. 
CADIE: 
Thank you. Thank you.  
EMMA: 
Of course. 
CADIE: 
And speaking of those humanities and social sciences programs that everybody has to take.  
EMMA: 
Yeah.  
CADIE: 
For our very first season, we will be covering CHSS's wonderful psychology, criminology, and global affairs programs. 
If you want to be on the podcast, please, please, please email chsspod@gmu.edu, and we will send you the form to apply. I cannot emphasize this enough. You guys, the people who we have on make the podcast. 
EMMA: 
Right.  
CADIE: 
Emma and I are simply here to ask you questions.  
EMMA: 
Right. 
CADIE: 
This is your guys's podcast through us and through CHSS.  
EMMA: 
Yeah. From day one of building this podcast from the ground up, we knew that this would be student focused, student centered and steered by students. 
So when we tell you that you guys are a pillar for this podcast, it's no joke.  
CADIE: 
Exactly. And I say that because even if you're like, oh, well, I don't have any podcast experience or oh, I just I don't know if I'd be good at it. 
Doesn't matter. If you're passionate about what you're studying, come on the podcast. We'd love to have you. We'd love to talk with you.  
EMMA: 
Right. Even going further than having experience in being in podcasting, even if you're just starting here at Mason, if you're a transfer student, no matter what your background is, even if you just had a terrible semester, but you want to talk about how you've come back from it. 
That's a story that we'd love to highlight on the podcast. So it's like... 
CADIE: 
100 percent.  
EMMA: 
We just want you to come as you are, because that is already enough for us. 
CADIE: 
Exactly.  
EMMA: 
And so with that, I think we're ready to close out on episode zero.  
CADIE: 
I think we’re ready for the outro! Whooo yay! 
EMMA: 
Oh, my gosh! 
OK, so Cadie, you had to be here, but thank you for being here because....  
CADIE: 
Emma, you had to be here. But thank you for being here.  
EMMA: 
Listeners, thank you so much for listening to this episode of Chess Connection. 
CADIE: 
Hey, thank you for listening to this episode of Chess Connection. This podcast is hosted and written by Emma Howard and Cadie Junker. Our audio engineer is Dennis Gabitov. Our supervisor is Eleana Velasco. This podcast is produced by George Mason University's College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Undergraduate Academic Affairs. Special thanks to the Mason Innovation Exchange for their recording studio. 
The podcast could not happen without them. This project was developed in collaboration with Career Services and the On-Campus Internship Program. If you love the show and want to interact with more of our content, follow us on Instagram @chsspod or check out the CHSS website, where there is an ongoing library of our episodes. You can also be a potential guest on our podcast!  
EMMA: 
If you enjoyed the show and would like to express your support, there are a few things you can do: you can leave a review wherever you are listening to this podcast, you can help by word of mouth, either by telling someone directly who might be interested in the show, or posting about it on social media, tagging @chsspod. All these things help support the show, and we appreciate anyone who has done it or will do so in the future.  
Again, thank you for tuning into this episode. We hope you will tune into the next episode, where we are joined by Donesha George to discuss our Psychology program! 
But until then, stay curious... 
CADIE: 
Stay creative! 
BOTH: And stay connected.