Despite being punctual, Celia is already waiting for us at our meeting point when we arrive for the interview. As she tells us a few minutes later, that is because when studying for a double degree, you become an expert organiser of your time, since you cannot afford to waste it. During this chat, we met a student of Journalism and Advertising, who is a dreamer, but has her feet on the ground, is hard-working and above all, enthusiastic. Celia is 18 years old and has the attitude of someone ready to conquer the world.
What led you to study a double degree in Journalism and Advertising?
I’ve wanted to study Journalism since I visited Radio Aldaia when I was little. I was a children’s Fallas Queen and they took me there to interview me. The journalist who interviewed me made me feel very comfortable and the world of radio fascinated me, so since then, I thought Journalism was my vocation.
Later on, during my secondary school education, I met a former student of CEU UCH, who also studied a double degree, in his case, Journalism and Audiovisual Communication. He told me that having two degrees had made things easier for him, that his CEU experience was very good and that if he had the opportunity to study there, he would not let it pass him by.
When they warned you that a double degree also involves double the effort, did that not make you worry a bit?
Not at all, for me, when something poses a challenge, I mature. Of course they told me that I had to be willing to dedicate twice as much time to my studies, but it is also true that the university does everything possible to help us: they schedule our timetables so that we can attend all classes, they offer us tools in order to be able to combine the degrees, we have preference when choosing which days we have practicals, the professors are always available and they are interested in how it is all going for us. All of this makes our day-to-day life easier.
“WHEN SOMETHING POSES A CHALLENGE, I MATURE. THEY TOLD ME THAT I HAD TO BE WILLING TO DEDICATE TWICE AS MUCH TIME TO MY STUDIES, BUT IT IS ALSO TRUE THAT THE UNIVERSITY DOES EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO HELP US”.
How do you combine being a double degree student with your personal life: your family, your friends, your hobbies…? Do you have time for everything?
I was not a particularly organised person, but when you study a double degree, you end up being so. Because even though I care about my studies, I also like to do sports every day, I am a fallera, supervisor for the Juniors… With a little planning ahead, you have time for everything. I take advantage of the afternoons that I finish a little earlier to go to the gym, see friends, study… In the end, if you organise yourself, everything is possible.
Studying for a double degree means it is inevitable that you spend a lot of time at the University. What does that mean to you?
I love it! Through studying Journalism and Advertising, I know lots of people. Even the years above, because I know them from some of my modules. And that is great, because they help me a lot. There is also a special relationship with the teachers, because they see those of us who study a double degree around here all day. It is easy to bond with people and in the end, CEU UCH is like a giant family.
“CEU UCH IS LIKE A GIANT FAMILY”.
Summarise the best and the worst bits of being a double degree student.
I think the best thing is that when I finish my studies and come to face the job market, maybe my double degree will differentiate me from the rest of the candidates and maybe I will have more opportunities. But the fact that I will have demonstrated maturity, responsibility and organisational ability to get two degrees is also important.
The bad part is the extra effort involved and the requirement to be able to organise in order to get to everything. Also what food to bring every day is a bit of a pain.
“WHEN I FINISH MY STUDIES AND COME TO FACE THE JOB MARKET, MAYBE MY DOUBLE DEGREE WILL DIFFERENTIATE ME FROM THE REST OF THE CANDIDATES AND MAYBE I WILL HAVE MORE OPPORTUNITIES”.
What advice would you give to someone who is thinking of choosing a double degree?
I would say yes, go ahead, do not hesitate. You have to be clear about what you like and be drawn to the double degree you choose. And you also have to be able to commit to not becoming overwhelmed and not giving up along the way. But have a go and try.
Having support at home is also important. In my case, I have it, I’ve always had it. My father encouraged me from the beginning to study two degrees in order to have more opportunities later on in the world of work.
Celia, besides being a double degree student, you are a recipient of the CEU Merit Program Scholarship.
I was told that CEU UCH was the best option for communication studies. And also when I knew that there was this scholarship that can cover 100% of the cost of the university, I applied for it. And I got it. So for me, being a CEU Merit Scholar is like a gift.
To finish, let’s play guess the future. Where will Celia be in a few years time?
At the moment I do not have a very clear idea and also, I do not want to close any doors. We are learning a lot of things and we do not know where we are going to end up. But I would like to work as a Community Manager in a fashion brand with which I identify and whose values I like. As I enjoy writing, I would also love to end up at a magazine or at a newspaper. In fact, I already collaborate with El Rotativo, the University newspaper.
We do not know if it will be in a fashion brand or at a digital magazine, but what we do know is that whatever Celia ends up doing in her professional career, she will do it with the energy and enthusiasm that she has shown us during our chat with her.
Thank you very much for your time Celia! We wish you the best of luck.