Today we speak with Jeff Goodwin, a freshman marketing major from Erial, Camden County, who commutes to Rowan. Jeff will share his #PROFspective with us on what it’s like to be a Rowan University student and how he’s getting the most out of his college experience as a Rowan Prof.
Name: Jeff Goodwin
Major: Marketing within William G. Rohrer College of Business
Year: Freshman
Housing: I live at home and commute daily.
Hometown and county: Erial, NJ (Camden County)
Academic clubs: General member, American Marketing Association (AMA); director of events DECA
Do you work on campus?
Yes I work in the Office of Student Life. I work under various department heads fulfilling whatever task they assign, as well as answering calls from parents/students.
Why did you choose your major?
I chose marketing because I wanted to find a major that best suited my skills in communication in the business world. I have never been too keen on math, as numbers were never a strong suit. But I did have an interest in people, and I felt this would be a good fit. I’m considering a dual major in either management, advertising or Radio/TV/Film (the last one because I’ve always wanted to break into the entertainment industry, wish me luck.)
Why I chose Rowan?
I had heard great things about all of the different programs they offer, and I wanted to stay close to home.
My Typical Day as a Rowan Student
On an average day, I get up between the hours of 8 and 9. I spend time in the morning eating a healthy breakfast and getting ready for classes. I leave my house around 10:20 since most of my classes are at 11 a.m.
The commute takes about 15 minutes, but I factor in
traffic as well as stopping for students who walk across Route 322. This is a lengthy process. After greeting the nice security guard Elaine at the gate (she’s a sweetheart), I park my car at a parking garage that is always guaranteed to have available spots. In the beginning of the semester I seemed to be the only freshman who was aware of the bountiful space. But as the weeks went by, more and more students became aware of this godsend, so I was pushed further and further back. Other commuting students will attest that getting up early is key to get a convenient parking space.
After parking, I head to my first class, which on a Tuesday or Thursday is my marketing class, and on a Wednesday or Friday is my algebra class. The classes so far have been alright. The professors are fair, but firm in their teaching. My favorite class this fall semester is Readings In U.S. Literature, where we read works by various American authors, mostly from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and study how they portray the issues of race, class and gender. I love reading and I met a lot of great people, as well as a great professor.
At the beginning of the semester, every professor gives you the syllabus so you know all of the deadlines of the assignments up front. My best advice to incoming freshmen would be to CHECK THE SYLLABUS. Make this your bible.
At 12:15 p.m. the first class ends. If I have time I stop by Grill Nation, located on the ground floor of the Chamberlain Student Center, to grab a bite, and then head to my campus job. I work in the Office of Student Life so I spend my time answering calls and helping parents or students with any help they require. I also do whatever task they assign me. In the beginning of the year I helped set up the family weekend event.
After my campus job ends, I head to my second class. On a Tuesday or Thursday, that would be my macroeconomic class. Afterwards I head back home. I work at another job at the outlet center close to where I live, so occasionally I head there after school. But, more often than not, I just head back home and do my homework. I conclude the night by going to sleep to get ready to start the whole process over again.
We are #RowanPROUD and we are Rowan Profs! Not exactly sure what a Prof is? It’s our owl mascot, Whoo RU. Read about him here.
Story organized and original photography by: Jen Green