What Great Minds Can Do: Sarah Diefenbach  

"Graduate school will help me focus and learn more about my specific interests. I don't know everything about my field — not even a fraction. Seton Hall will offer me new ways of thinking about my field and introduce new concepts I have yet to comprehend."

Sarah Diefenbach lives in the Princeton area and works a fulltime job at business data and analytics firm Dun and Bradstreet. In other words, attending graduate school at Seton Hall University should not have been easy for her.

And yet, Diefenbach is currently thriving as a student enrolled in the M.A. in Strategic Communication program within the College of Human Development, Culture, and Media. So how does she do it? It's all because she can take both online and in-person classes, which she credits with simplifying her life without detracting from the quality of her education.

"The hybrid format provides you with the best of both teaching styles," Diefenbach said, referring to the fact that she can interact with professors and students in a classroom setting while also learning a lot through internet courses taught by expert faculty. "The teachers put much thought and effort into their curriculum."

Seton Hall's professors have indeed left a great impression on Diefenbach, who especially appreciates their willingness to challenge students without disrupting the balance that's required to work and attend school simultaneously by overloading them with assignments. She is also not disappointed by the content she is studying in her classes, which directly relates to her career. In fact, the strategic communication student feels the knowledge she is getting from the University will have a profound impact on her life outside the classroom.

"Graduate school will help me focus and learn more about my specific interests," Diefenbach said. "I don't know everything about my field — not even a fraction. Seton Hall will offer me new ways of thinking about my field and introduce new concepts I have yet to comprehend."

Looking ahead, Diefenbach is eager to use the education she is receiving from Seton Hall to further pursue her professional aspirations within corporate communication. Right now though, she is simply enjoying her time as a graduate student and looking forward to exploring more of the University's resources, such as the Writing Center. 

As for those who are thinking about attending Seton Hall for graduate school, Diefenbach advises not to let work or time commitments prevent you from achieving your goals. On the contrary, she recommends fully embracing every part of the graduate school experience.

"Ask questions, be involved and take advantage of the resources the University has to offer," Diefenbach said. "Graduate school is the time to dive deep into your academic interests. All the staff have knowledge to offer and the University itself has offices and access to a number of sources. Make the most of your time here."
     
This profile was written by Sean Quinn, a Graduate Assistant for Graduate Studies within the College of Human Development, Culture, and Media and an M.A. in Public Relations student.