Ayca Yavuz G'17

Earning my MS in Communication and Information Management will propel me into a leadership role in the media industry. 

After receiving my bachelor's degree in communications with a focus on radio and TV from a university in Turkey, I knew I wanted to further my education and get a master’s degree. Before coming to the United States, I was an assistant editor for TV channels and production companies, eventually taking a position as an Assistant Producer at CNN Turk. Working for a major TV news channel is stressful and requires a practical, well-organized, and systematic approach. It was not easy to manage the tasks without high motivation. Our production team of more than 20 people would crowd together in the control room to put on live broadcasts. Fortunately, there was a strong sense of team spirit. Working at CNN, I gained a different perspective on life and met many successful people in their respective fields, which has inspired me to work hard and continue pursuing a career in the media.  

I learned about Bay Path after coming to the United States and enrolling at the International Language Institute of Massachusetts in Northampton, MA, thanks to a partnership between the school and Bay Path. I did a lot of research about the University and the MS in Communication and Information Management (CIM), and decided it was the right fit for me. In today’s business world, it’s important to have knowledge in both communications and information management to accomplish an organization’s goals. As an international student, the combined master’s degree in communications and information management is helping me effectively get the skills I need to be successful in my career and achieve my own goals as well.

At Bay Path, I have gained greater confidence in my abilities through my coursework, as well as by participating in events such as the Women’s Leadership Conference. The conference reinforced my understanding of empathy as an important trait in the workplace that can help us to become better, stronger, and more compassionate leaders. University events like the conference support students’ leadership development, intercommunication, and networking skills. I’m glad I had the opportunity to attend.

I’ve also had the chance to further develop these skills through my graduate assistantship with the Office of Multicultural Affairs and International Student Life. As part of the University’s Global Leadership Exchange Program, I gave a presentation about my country, Turkey, sharing about its rich history and diverse culture. I was able to not only create cultural awareness for my home country, but also to hone my public speaking abilities in English as a non-native speaker.

These experiences have shaped me into a true leader, and I feel prepared for the next step in my career. With my master’s degree in hand and a continually expanding business network, I plan to achieve a better position in the media industry and will work towards becoming a valued member of the communications community.

Congratulations to Ayca, who in June 2019 joined the Realtor Association of Pioneer Valley as communications director. She is responsible for member and public communications, including the association’s digital and print brand. Ayca is putting her Bay Path education to work and is making her dreams of becoming a media industry leader come true!