Chelsea Carter, Peer Consultant

Major: MFA Creative Writing and Poetics
BA: IAS, Media and Communications Studies

My multiplicities of interests academically and professionally have never connected, and they span widely across unrelated fields. Initially after high school, I joined the Marine Corps. Then, upon completion of my enlistment, I returned to school to pursue a degree in music. But that was too narrow and I wanted to somehow connect everything I enjoyed together. It wasn’t until majoring in Media and Communications Studies that I found the mode for which it was possible. I never imagined that writing could become just as valuable to me as music, if not more. It wasn’t always something that I accomplished easily, either. It wasn’t really until pursuing my MCS degree that began to really strengthen my capability with writing.

For me, writing is the backbone to all of my communication, the frame to lyrics, and with articulation, the tool with which I can create an exhibition of my entire imagination, life experiences, and the things I don’t want to communicate verbally or directly. What I was looking for and ultimately gained through the IAS program was versatility. Every occupation I see myself doing in the future depends heavily on writing so I believe I am heading in the right direction while pursuing the MFA in Creative Writing and Poetics.

I’ve experienced the strengths that writing provides through its own versatility. Writing is something necessary across the board of academic, occupational and personal fields. It serves as an insight into the imagination and as a mode for posing informed arguments. Luckily, I have had the ability to get to know my distinct learning style, which is different than the expected norm across the academic board. Something I’ve learned is that learning styles don’t have to be a barrier, but can instead serve as a strength that provides a different angle of perspective than what may be expected.

As a Writing Consultant, I hope to help alleviate some of the stresses or barriers that students may have with their writing or assignments. Whether it is the structured essay, a poetic endeavor, or prose adventure, I love doing it all. I enjoy working with my peers as well as learning from them and I absolutely understand the stresses of life as a student.