Printable Format 

Bonnie J. Hall, Class of 2001, M.S.P.C. 2002, Assistant Director of Admissions, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Bonnie Hall, a sociology major who also concentrated in race and ethnic relations, says her "Clark education has greatly influenced my career and life since graduation." After doing a summer internship at The Bridge of Central Massachusetts, a human-service organization based in Worcester, through her master's program at Clark, she landed a job in the organization's marketing department. That experience, she says, was a great stepping stone into her current position at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI).

Bonnie J. Hall

I chose Clark University because I grew up and completed all of my secondary-school education in Hanover, N.H. and wanted to go to college in a big city not too far away from home. I wanted to be close enough to visit home, but far enough away to feel like I had independence. I looked at schools throughout New England, including Boston, but most of the urban schools were too big, or too urban--their campuses essentially were the city. I liked that Clark had a small, contained campus with greater Worcester for exploration.

Clark has a strong academic reputation, often referred to as "a best-kept secret," or Worcester's "little Ivy." Growing up in Dartmouth's backyard, this appealed to me. I was initially interested in studying psychology, and Clark was one of the top in the nation for psychology. Of course as I grew and changed, so did my interests and my major.

Learning from truly dedicated, topnotch, approachable and accessible faculty, such as sociology professor Shelly Tenenbaum, is what I value most about my Clark years, as well as other Clark students who were so talented, bright, artistic, creative, and active in the Clark community and beyond. Clark students make things happen. They are go-getters making a difference not just in their personal educational attainment, but also for the greater good. In fact, my college peers sparked fires in me, raising my awareness on different issues I had previously overlooked and inspiring me to become more involved. And the staff at Clark was just as warm, friendly and accessible. It was a good community to make my home away from home.

I received my undergraduate degree in sociology with a concentration in race and ethnic relations in 2001. The following year I received a Master of Science in Professional Communications, also from Clark, through the Accelerated B.A./Master's Program. I enjoyed my college years because I grew so much intellectually and personally, and became much more open-minded. I had wanted to play Division II or Division III college basketball, because these divisions are competitive, but not overwhelming, and I did so at Clark. My professors taught me how to learn for the sake of learning and how to do research and find resources.

My Clark education has greatly influenced my career and life since graduation. My first "real" full-time job after college came to fruition from the summer internship I did for credit through my master's program work. I had interned in the marketing department at The Bridge of Central Massachusetts, a human-service organization based in Worcester with locations throughout the Metro-west of Massachusetts. Soon after I received my master's degree, The Bridge hired me as a part-time marketing assistant. Six months later, I was promoted to marketing associate.

I had been working at The Bridge just over a year when I took my current job as Assistant Director of Admissions at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). In these positions, I have used what I learned about people and group dynamics in my sociology courses to help me with the counseling and organizational end of my job. Likewise, I have applied what I learned from my professional communications courses to the public relations, publications and marketing end of my job. My Clark education is priceless.