Caroline Rodriguez

Biography

Caroline is a proud New Mexico native and former NMSU student who is passionate about giving back to the university and its diverse population as a CAASS Academic Advisor. Caroline earned her undergraduate degree in Communication Studies with a minor in Management in 2018. In 2020, she earned her Master of Arts degree in Communication Studies and wrote her thesis on Environmental Communication all while being a graduate teaching assistant for the NMSU Communication Studies Department.

Book an Appointment ►

Why/How did you decide what you wanted to major in in college?

I entered college with a specific major in mind. However, after stumbling upon the vast amount and variety of course subjects the university had to offer, I knew I needed to explore different fields. I was always interested in understanding how humanity communicates and the breadth of details within that communication, so when I began taking more and more Communication courses I knew I had found what I wanted to study in the long run.

Why did you decide to become an Academic Advisor?

After further analyzing what a positive and impactful experience I had as a student at NMSU I realized that I really enjoyed the educational sector of the workforce. In addition, having the opportunity to experience the other side of education as a graduate teaching assistant during my master's program I grew fond of being a key part of students' academic journeys. I knew that I wanted to be able to give back to the university and continue to pass on all the practical skills that I was taught when I was a student.

Tell me something about NMSU that you wish more students knew about:

NMSU is an institution that fosters and facilitates various resources that add incredible value to the education that is offered. Oftentimes, many students are unaware of the university's resources that are available to them and/or even the clubs and organizations they can get involved in. It is important that students know that college is the time to break out of your shell and ask for help when you need it and get involved in things you are passionate about! If you need assistance with something or are simply looking for a way to get involved, 10/10 times NMSU has it out there for you!

What extra/co-curricular activities did you participate in as an undergraduate?

As an undergraduate, I joined a Communication Studies club where the goal was to partner with the graduate Communication Studies club and plan and perform campus-student outreach. The club I joined was newly formed so it was great being able to help implement club practices and partner with other members within the same major and form those relationships.

Did you face any challenges while in college?

I faced several challenges while in college like managing my time and planning and prioritizing. My entire undergraduate and graduate career I commuted to campus (about an hour roundtrip per day that I went to campus) so it was crucial that I learned to manage my time to the tee. I typically planned a week ahead and wrote out a schedule for myself to follow and this worked wonders for me and held me accountable. I have also always been a firm believer in maintaining a healthy work-life balance so planning out my school priorities while also prioritizing my mental health was key to my sanity and happiness while attending school.