When exploring colleges as a high school student, on senior Ella Gaffke’s must-have list were opportunities to thrive and pursue her dreams. She found that in the media production and communication major at The University of Olivet.
“When I stepped onto campus as a first-year student, I could have never guessed how my time at UOlivet would change me as a person,” Ella reflects. “Olivet has created a passion for my career and has made me more ambitious and purpose-driven. I’ve developed a greater sense of my purpose in life and discovered what it is that I desire to be each day, which includes using what I learned at UOlivet to share my faith and Jesus with the world.”
Ella discovered a passion she didn’t forsee in media production and communication. “When I chose my major, I didn’t have a clear idea of what I wanted my career to look like. But it didn’t take me long to discover my passion for telling stories visually and in effective ways,” she explains. “Storytelling empowers me and gives me a way to help others and spread awareness about topics and people. It’s my way of making the world a better place.”
This passion for visual storytelling led to a valuable internship opportunity at Gull Lake Ministries as a media production and communications intern. Gull Lake Ministries offers activities and workshops for both children and families. Ella’s main task was as a videographer for their summer camp. She captured content for a video that would be shared with the campers and their families at the end of their week-long experience.
“It was my responsibility to capture key moments and put it all into a video that the campers could look back on as a keepsake,” Ella said. Gull Lake Ministries will also be using her media work in their promotional materials.
Ella said the experience taught her a multitude of skills, from time management to organization, and offered her opportunities to improve her video editing and organization skills.
“In other video work I have done I have had much more time to prepare and plan all my shots. With this role, I did a lot of shooting in the moment,” Ella said. “You never knew exactly what you would get each week.”
“I discovered a new passion for the work I create and was challenged to step out of my comfort zone,” Ella said. This experience not only helped her grow personally but also clarified her professional aspirations. “The time I spent there really solidified my goals and also opened up new connections I made through networking, and I have always wanted to use my skills to create media that was impactful and had a strong purpose I believe in.”
Outside of the classroom, Ella embraced other leadership opportunities that allowed her to combine her faith, talents and passion for helping others. “I am involved in Christian Comets Connect and serve on the Leadership E-Board as the social media manager,” she explains. “The Women’s Leadership Institute is another organization I am in, and this year, I moved into the role of executive of media production.” She’s also a women’s basketball team member, where she’s made lifelong friends and developed additional leadership and teambuilding skills.
For high school students considering college, Ella offers this advice: “Be willing to do the things that scare you and step into environments that are new and uncomfortable, because that is where I found I grew the most.”
Learn more about The University of Olivet by contacting the Office of Admission at Admissions@UOlivet.edu or 269-749-7635