Tom Dupuis

Review of SIU Property Control

After visiting about 7 schools, I decided to go wi...

After visiting about 7 schools, I decided to go with SIU. It was one of the best decisions I've ever made. The campus and the entire Southern Illinois area has some of the most beautiful areas I've seen - especially in the fall. National parks, lakes, one of the largest rec centers in the country. Yes, Carbondale is a little dirty but the campus and surrounding SO ILL area is filled with things to do and see (Google Giant City, Little Grand Canyon, Garden of the Gods).

For academics, I majored in marketing. I wish the curriculum was a little more ahead of the game (I do search engine optimization but at SIU I learned very little about Google Analytics, SEO, WordPress, HTML, website design or online marketing while attending classes - maybe they had different classes, I'm not sure). My experience was learning more traditional marketing (nothing hands-on about online marketing). The professors are AWESOME but I do hope they update the courses to where the industry is going - the internet.

My #1 suggestion would be to get involved in the small business development center. They have tons of workshops, knowledgeable people, and opportunities for real life applications. Joining Saluki CEO or another student organization is a MUST for networking and getting involved in something where you will actually get a job after college.

Though most people may not have this experience (and hopefully you don't), Dr. Perkins from the Student Health Center literally saved my life. I was really sick and when they did blood tests to learn how sick I was (staff infection), the doctor drove me in his own personal car to Carbondale Memorial Hospital and demanded I get immediate surgery. I'm alive now because of it. Thank you Dr. Perkins.

The whole experience was a ride and at the end of the day, I'm really glad I went to SIU. It's a solid choice - just go to your classes, take advantage of the awesome library they have, and get involved with student organizations - you'll be golden. Hope that helps somebody make a decision.