COMST 4040: Senior Research Seminar
Author: knguyen1
On Thursday, May 8, students enrolled in COMST 4040: Senior Research Seminar presented their capstone projects.
Each semester, senior Communication Studies majors embark on an immersive research experience with an organization of their choice, which culminates in a public presentation session held at the Memorial Union. This applied research project gives students the opportunity to apply Communication Studies concepts to a real-life professional setting, use quantitative and/or qualitative research methods to collect data from organizational members, and craft practical recommendations based on their findings to enhance the organizations’ communication.
This semester, students worked closely with a variety of organizations, including Schonert’s Catering, Target, the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, Wellmark, the Salt Company, Hy-Vee, Aunt Maude’s, and numerous Iowa State University sororities and fraternities.
Throughout the semester, students gained valuable experience in research, professional communication, project management, and problem-solving skills that will serve them well beyond the classroom. Working directly with real clients also gives students a glimpse into potential career paths and the impact of their work in a community setting.