By: Marissa Orr

When I stepped into my first night of Top Dog, I was very nervous. I felt like I was an outsider because I had just changed my major. My entire Monday had consisted of meeting nothing but new people. I did not recognize anyone in class. As I sat there and listened to the introduction that the firm director gave, I became very overwhelmed. However, I don’t think that was a negative thing. Being overwhelmed the first night was something that drove me to find my passion. I knew without passion, I would not succeed. That first night changed my perspective on my capabilities. 

As the first semester came to an end and the second one began, it really opened my eyes to how much I had improved. I finally felt as if I was doing something that utilized my skills and helped someone in need. Whether that is a client wanting to start up something completely new based on their own passions, or a client needing help within their organization, I could help. I am very excited for new opportunities that will arise as time goes on.
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This applied course Is the right one for me because it really opened my eyes to new opportunities that I did not know I had. This course has given me new tools to utilize and new experiences that will forever leave an impact on me. I know that I will be able to take all the things I have learned and apply it to a job once I graduate. Not only do I think it has been beneficial to my future job, but I think I will be able to help someone with a great cause. I want to work for someone who needs my passions to further their own organization. These are all things I have realized because of choosing Top Dog as my preferred applied course. ​

By Sophie Watson

​Last semester, I began working as an account associate for Top Dog Communication. I quickly fell in love with public relations as well as working for the firm and with all of the great, dedicated people who are a part of TDC. What I love most about TDC is the dedication to growth that the firm and the people involved in it have.
This semester, the firm has implemented new positions called ‘the experts’ which involve a writing, research, design and two sustainability experts to further assist students, the firm and our clients with the needs of each campaign. The experts applied and were chosen based on their expertise in that position. After working as an editor on the Reflector newspaper for three years, I found myself to be a good candidate for the writing expert, applied and received the position. As the writing expert, I write and edit materials for the firm and clients, as well as mentoring and assisting students on their writing centered tactics. The research and design experts do similar work for the firm, clients and students in each of their skills. The sustainability experts do a slightly different job, as they work specifically with past clients by remaining in communication with them and fulfilling any outstanding needs that they have after their campaign with TDC has ended.
These few months of having the experts have significantly assisted the firm and allowed us to highlight the best people for each type of job to help us with the internal and external needs of the firm. We have made progress in updating the firm website and other aspects of TDC that have made us the award winning firm that we are. Also, the materials that we have been able to send to clients have been improved because we have pointed out the best people for each task and assigned them to it, or given students an outlet to get help. The mentor aspect of the experts, I think, is the best part of the expert program. Students who may not have the best skills in one area are able to get help and have a one-on-one learning session, which is something we’ve never had before. By students getting this help, we are able to improve their abilities in that area and produce higher quality material in the future.
Something that I love about having an expert position is that I’m able to refine my writing skills and have great material for my portfolio in the sector that I want to go into in the future. I’m excited to continue the experts program and see the progress in the firm and watch the students grow.

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By Emily Mills
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​When I exited the elevator, I was greeted by a large set of glass doors. Intimidating. Beyond those doors, the lobby was dark, except for the glowing tank filled with colorful fish. Nikki Reed came prancing down the hallway, happy as a clam. She swung open the door and sang out a cheerful “Hello!”
 
I’d been communicating with Nikki over the past couple weeks to shadow her during the Smiley Morning Show. The day had finally come, and my nerves flew out the door when I was introduced to Smiley, Toni, and Will. A cup of champagne was handed to me, and a pair of headphones were ready for me to use.
 
I sat back and listened to the flow of the morning show as Toni gave her traffic report, and Smiley and Will made inappropriate comments. Nikki kept me informed on what she was doing to keep the show moving forward. Jokes were made and I was put on the air, able to have my voice heard by tens of thousands of people. I made lifelong connections after a simple two hour visit.
 
My biggest takeaway from sitting in on the Smiley Morning Show was that taking my job at the radio station too seriously is what’s hindering me from progressing in my career. My time at the University of Indianapolis is limited, so I am appreciative of these opportunities to learn life lessons, and improve my craft.

Top Dog Communication was first introduced to me when creating my schedule for the
second semester of my freshman year here at the University of Indianapolis. I began my college
journey as a Communication major who had yet to choose an emphasis until a few weeks before
the closing of my first semester. After much deliberation and FaceTime chitchats with my Mom,
I finally declared Public Relations as my emphasis and was immersed into Applied PR only a
few weeks later. After the first class period I felt overwhelmed to say the least, but equally as
excited to build upon my skills and get my first taste of what working in PR is actually like. As
the weeks went on I was creating more and more tactics for our client and began feeling
comfortable and enthusiastic about what was being assigned to me. The feedback I was receiving
and the expectations I set for myself kept me focused on what I was trying to achieve throughout
the course.
Fast forward to the night of March 6 th , almost two months into the semester. I was sitting
in class just as I do every week, but this time something special and out of the ordinary
happened. Our firm director, Reagan, stood in the front of the classroom and started introducing
the student who was chosen to be Associate of the Month for February. She explained the
reasoning behind the selection also and what was said by their account executive in regards to
this student’s work ethic. Keep in mind, up until this point I had never turned something in that I
was not 100% satisfied with, but in no way did I think my efforts would be recognized in front of
the entire class. The students in Top Dog Communication are incredibly talented and I was
somewhat insecure about my lack of experience in comparison to them. However, Reagan began
dropping hints that it was in fact me who earned this award and I could feel myself about to burst
with excitement. When she said my name, I tried to play it cool and graciously accept the award
without completely going crazy. Don’t worry though, I called my Mom immediately after class
ended and celebrated.
Fast forwarding again to present day, two weeks before I will be leaving campus for the
summer. I am reflecting on my first semester in Applied PR and can without a doubt say that
being Associate of the Month was the highlight. It gave me the confidence I needed to think
outside of the box and push myself even farther than I knew I could. It has motivated me to keep
improving and producing the best work possible because I don’t want to disappoint myself or
those who believe in me. This course has had an incredibly positive impact on my life thus far
and I am beyond excited to continue challenging myself and learning new things through it.
Discovering your strengths and putting them towards a career you are passionate about is advice
everyone has probably heard, but I feel incredibly lucky to be putting those words into action
because of Top Dog Communication.