The best communicators know their audience.
Understanding what motivates people, how they make decisions and why certain messages resonate shapes everything from classrooms to campaigns.
Annaclaire Zerangue applies those principles as a graduate assistant in the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s Office of Communications and Marketing, where she helps create content that engages students.
Just a few years ago, however, she was still searching for a major that could keep pace with her many interests.
“I struggled to find a balance between consistency and spontaneity in my career,” she says. “I didn’t want to get stuck, but I didn’t want it to be too new all the time.”
After changing majors three times in her first year at UL Lafayette, Zerangue felt an unexpected pull toward psychology.
“I was waiting for a sign when I got an email saying the education class I’d scheduled was cancelled,” she recalls. “I said, ‘let's do it.’ I switched to psychology without a plan except I’d like to help people.”
Through UL Lafayette’s Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Zerangue discovered a field that fostered her curiosity, exposing her to topics ranging from statistics to principles of learning while helping her better understand her own strengths.
Turning Curiosity Into Direction
Zerangue had long struggled to picture herself in a single career.
“I like to say I'm a Jill of all trades,” she says. “I'm not a master at one thing; I'm good at many things.”
Psychology helped her realize that she didn't have to corner herself into one role.
Diverse course options like PSYC 340: Theories of Personality and PSYC 315: Psychological Statistics expanded her perception of how she could apply her degree.
“Once I was in psychology, I realized how versatile the degree is,” she says.
“You can go into HR, med school, law school, or get your master’s. You learn to work with data, so the curriculum definitely gives you an edge.”
That versatility meant she no longer felt pressured to fit into a single professional track.
She credits courses like PSYC 300: Psychology of Adjustment and PSYC 435: Principles of Learning, along with supportive professors and advisors, for helping her stay curious and recognize her strengths and how to use them.
By the time she was finishing the program, Zerangue could define what she wanted from a career: meaningful work, collaboration and enough variety to keep learning something new.
Understanding People, Creating Connections
Outside of her graduate assistantship, Zerangue also creates social media content for freelance clients, using her psychology background to consider different audience needs and perspectives.
She says psychology continues to influence how she approaches collaboration and communication.
“I’ve learned I don’t need to be the leader all the time, and sometimes it’s not my place,” she says. “It’s helped me become a better communicator and person. I know when to step in and when to support someone else.”
Whether brainstorming ideas, adapting social media trends for higher education audiences or working alongside colleagues with different strengths, Zerangue says understanding people remains at the center of what she does.
“This field is that perfect balance I’d been looking for,” she says. “There are new things every day, but I still have an office to go to.”
For students considering psychology, Zerangue encourages them to remain open to unexpected opportunities.
“If you're on the fence, browse the course catalog,” she says. “See if the titles spark joy for you. When I saw personality psych, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, how fun.’”
She also encourages students to take advantage of the support available to them.
“The faculty genuinely want to help,” she says. “You just need to be vulnerable and humble enough to go to them.”
Ready to turn curiosity into a career path? Learn more about UL Lafayette’s online B.S. in Psychology.
