CSU alum, Abby Sessoms, life after CSU

CSU graduate Abby Sessoms is applying her communication degree in both her professional role with a residential management company and her growing freelance photography business.

Abby Sessoms, a 22-year-old Charleston Southern University alum from Fayetteville, North Carolina, is putting her communication degree to work both professionally and creatively. Since graduating just a few months ago, she has stepped into a communications role with Capital Consultants Management Corporation (CCMC) and is also growing a freelance photography business.

“I work with the Nexton Residential Association team as their Communications Coordinator,” Sessoms explained. “That essentially means that I manage all of the Association’s communication, including but not limited to creating and sending regular informational newsletters, managing and updating the POA website, and creating content for the POA’s social media platforms.”

In addition to those responsibilities, Sessoms is involved in various aspects of community engagement, including attending board meetings, taking photos and videos, planning events, answering questions over the phone, designing graphics and posters, and helping residents settle into their new community.

Outside of her full-time job, Sessoms is also a freelance photographer. She describes her business as “still small,” but she offers several types of portrait sessions and hopes to expand into weddings and events in the future. She shares her work on her website: https://abbysessomsmedia.mypixieset.com.

Sessoms credits her time at CSU with preparing her for both current roles. “CSU prepared me in many ways for the jobs that I now have—including the knowledge and skills that I use for work, and independence and responsibility,” she said. She recalled two courses that had a lasting impact: Intercultural Communication and Discipleship.

“I often look back on my Intercultural class and am reminded that communication is everywhere, and we do it every day,” she said. “My Discipleship class is what truly guided me to have spiritual growth.”

For Sessoms, college was not just about academics—it was about learning how to navigate life. One of the biggest lessons she took away from her time at CSU was learning to embrace challenging times.

She referenced 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, saying, “Everything happens for a reason,” and added that she would not change anything, good or bad. “The Lord has used everything that has happened to shape and mold me to be more like Him.”

Her advice to current students reflects this mindset: “Get an eternal perspective because life is meaningless without this.” She emphasized the importance of focusing on eternal goals, not just worldly ones. “It’s important to have life goals, but we should also have eternal goals,” she said.

Though she has personal goals—like traveling and getting married—Sessoms is currently content in the field she chose. She said she does not foresee pursuing another career but is still open to the future.

“There’s a lot of life left to live, and I don’t really know what will happen next,” she said. Interestingly, Sessoms didn’t start out as a communication major. She originally pursued an English degree but soon realized it was not the right fit. She was looking for a field where she could express creativity while still engaging in her passion for writing. She often told people,“Communication can be done anywhere, at any place.”

The role at CCMC was not one she was actively seeking, but it turned out to be a fantastic opportunity. “I was tremendously blessed with it,” she said.

One key realization she had after entering the workforce is just how often communication is used in daily life—far beyond what many people recognize.

“Every second of every day. We all already know how to communicate; it is natural and unavoidable,” she said. “But doing it well and tailoring it to specific situations takes practice and awareness. Communication courses really open your mind to why people communicate the way they do and help you adapt your own responses for different situations. I find myself using those lessons constantly, whether I am figuring out my coworkers’ preferred communication styles, resolving conflicts with residents of Nexton, or just having everyday conversations.” Looking ahead, Sessoms still dreams of becoming an award-winning photographer, but her goal is deeper than that.

She said that if she can become like her college mentor, she will consider herself successful. That mentor, according to Sessoms, “helped me through college but also did everything out of love, and that was the love I found in Jesus Christ.” She said that she aspires to be more like Jesus every day.