Carly Toyzan, Valedictorian
Hemlock High School
Carly Toyzan was awarded a Presidential Scholarship and is a senior in SVSU’s Professional and Technical Writing program. She is preparing to enter a career in journalism.
“I originally chose SVSU because the housing was so nice, and while I was taking English 111, Professor Giroux encouraged me to major in Professional and Technical Writing (PTW). I have always been interested in journalism, and PTW was the closest fit. I like the background in graphic design it provides, because I want to work for a travel related or international magazine someday.”
“The class in Editing, taught by Professor Harley, was the most useful class I’ve ever taken – it provides a background in graphic design and the chance to practice with collaboration and deadlines.”
Carly participated in one of SVSU’s study abroad programs, and traveled to Edgehill College in England. While studying at Edgehill, Carly traveled to nine different countries in Europe.
Last year, Carly participated in an Alternative Spring Break Program, and traveled to Guyana, where she worked as a site leader building the foundations for four houses. She also visited a rainforest and Georgetown, the capital city of Guyana.
Carly also volunteers time in SVSU’s Writing Center, SVSU’s resource for students to get help with papers. “I love working in the Writing Center. It is another chance to practice the skills I am learning as a PTW major. Interacting with the students is wonderful, and the staff is really encouraging.”
“Overall, the strongest points about SVSU is the exposure to international students and different languages and cultures -- such skills are very important today.”
“The professors at SVSU are fantastic. The have been very helpful to me personally, and they want you to succeed. Dr. Harley has been an especially great help to me -- she advised me for my internship at Interlude Magazine in Bay City, where I worked as an editorial intern.”
“The internship component of the PTW major is especially valuable because it allowed me to gain practical experience with editing. The experience also gave me exposure to entire spectrum of the process of publishing a magazine, from planning to production.”
During the internship, Carly wrote ten articles which were published in the magazine.