Laura Smith’s spirit of discovery: If it’s not the right path, we take a different path

Laura Smith, a proud graduate of Idaho State University (ISU), is the Vice President of Community Development at Idaho Central Credit Union (ICCU) in Pocatello, Idaho.

A 2004 graduate, Laura earned her bachelor’s degree in mass communications and marketing and a minor in music.

Her career at ICCU began in 2005, where she now oversees public relations, social media, internal and external events, and nonprofit collaborations. Laura credits her ISU education with helping her develop unique skills that combine creativity, communication and leadership.

Growing up in Idaho Falls, ISU was a natural choice for Laura. “ISU was affordable, close to home, and offered opportunities to explore,” she shares. She delved into different areas and found courses that suited her spirit of discovery.

Laura grew up in a family of medical professionals – her father is a doctor and her mother is a nurse – which inspired her to study pre-med at university. At the same time, she felt drawn to public relations. During high school, she completed a public relations internship at a hospital in Idaho Falls, solidifying her interest in further exploring both fields.

Laura fondly remembers her involvement in ISU’s music program, particularly as a member of Scott Anderson’s choir, where she had so much fun that she earned a minor in music. She also particularly enjoyed her time in graphic design with Paula Jull, which she says helped to express her creativity.

When 9/11 occurred, Laura, as a journalism student, had the unique opportunity to follow the event in real time. She says the experience of applying journalism to real-life situations was a great learning experience and that the timing of the course had an impact on her career and education.

Laura remembers an important life lesson from the then dean of the university. She accompanied him and several other students on a trip to the legislature in Boise. Since GPS wasn’t available back then, they had to rely on a printed map. Laura was tasked with giving instructions, but at some point she made a mistake that led her to a dead end. She felt “ashamed” and prepared to be reprimanded. Instead, the dean calmly reassured her and said, “It’s no big deal if we go down the wrong path – we can always turn around and take a different path.”

This moment left a lasting impression on Laura and taught her how to deal with people she found intimidating and to embrace the idea of ​​trying, even when mistakes happen. “If it’s not the right path, we’ll take a different path,” she says.

Laura’s time at ISU was full of unforgettable experiences, such as organizing a marketing event for Honda as part of a class project. Laura was tasked with leading a team that managed all aspects of the campaign and discovered her talent for bringing people and ideas together. “This project really showed me what my skills and talents are,” she says.

Laura was working as a waitress during college when she met a hospital administrator who recruited her for a position at a small hospital doing public relations. Laura says it was perfect for her medical and PR background. A year later she moved to ICCU and initially worked in underwriting. She took the time to learn about the company and then moved into a marketing position, then into a leadership position overseeing community development, where she has thrived for the past 15 years.

Laura says her position at ICCU didn’t exist when she started at the company. She credits her ability to bring different disciplines together through her educational experiences as helping her innovate in her career.

Laura’s advice to current and future students is simple but profound: “Do your best. Don’t take time for granted. Say yes to the opportunities that come your way.” She emphasizes the importance of building connections with professors and colleagues, exploring different interests, and remaining open to unexpected career paths.

She also advises students not to downplay what they learn in the courses: “A course experience can help you succeed in an interview. It’s always interesting when you can have conversations with people about anything. It doesn’t always have to be an area of ​​focus.”

“You don’t have to specialize in just one thing,” she says. “Versatility and curiosity can open doors you didn’t know existed.”

Even today, Laura remains connected to the ISU, be it through her involvement in the choir or through participation in sporting events in Bengal. She even had the opportunity to sing The national anthem for ISU degrees.

“I have made lifelong friends and explored many areas of interest,” she says, “and the best part is that those memories have not disappeared. “I am now able to work with ISU on an ongoing basis in my career.”

Laura and her family at an ISU game

About our contributors:

Rudo Chigweshean international student from Zimbabwe, is pursuing a PhD. in English and English teaching from Idaho State University. Before entering the program, she earned a master’s degree in communications, media and persuasion from ISU in May 2020. Her academic focus is on gender studies and the concept of militant motherhood in African literature.

Suparna Sinha is a graduate student and teaching assistant at Idaho State University. She is an international student from India and is currently studying in her fifth semester. Her areas of interest include postcolonial ecofeminist literature and Dalit literature. She has presented at international conferences such as the DEI in Education conference at ISU, the 54th and 55th NeMLA meetings, the WLA 2023, and the 2023 and 2024 IGC conferences. Her hobbies include solving cryptic puzzles, writing articles about positivity on her blog, and knitting.