Meet Pooja Venkatesh ’26

Where are you from and what is your background?
I consider myself a product of two cultures, born and raised partly in Orange County, California, before moving to Bangalore, India. I completed my undergrad in India in 2023 as a triple major in Psychology, English, and Communication Studies. Growing up in two vastly different parts of the world fueled my interest in understanding people - how they think, act, feel, communicate, and what makes them different or alike. I'm grateful to be in a field that brings me closer to people who share this enthusiasm for learning.

Why did you apply for this graduate program and decide to study at USF?
I felt that the field of Communication Studies was the perfect intersection between my three majors during undergrad and the right place for me to make the most of my diverse cultural experiences. I love to learn, and my brief introduction to communication theory in college made me want to see what else this broad field had to offer. However, I was looking for a program that would allow me to step into my career with practical skills in addition to a strong theoretical foundation, and the Master of Arts in Professional Communication (MAPC) program at USF seemed to offer just that. The concentrations offered in the program were a huge plus, and I hope to take the strategic route as I build a career in public relations. In addition to this, USF's reputation as a diverse and community-focused school and the opportunities extended to the students in the classroom and beyond made me sure it was the right choice.

What impacts has the Dean's Scholarship had on your ability to further your studies?
The Dean's Scholarship has significantly lessened my financial burden, thereby allowing me to focus on my academics. With my parents supporting me in India, this scholarship was an immense help and honor, and it made my dream of pursuing my master's come true.

What are your career ambitions?
I aspire to work toward a leadership position in public relations where I can shape and oversee corporate social responsibility programs that make a meaningful difference with stakeholders and the community at large. PR plays such an integral role in directing organizations to use their resources ethically and responsibly, and I believe it's a vital aspect of the position as consumers hold organizations to higher standards of social and environmental sustainability. My goal is to build strong partnerships with corporations and NGOs alike to help build trustworthy brands that deliver the change and improvement they promise.

What is something unique or interesting about you?
I'm passionate about writing! I self-published my first book at 16, a YA dystopian work of fiction. I turned to poetry in college, but I've been working on another novel that I hope to put out in the next few years.