What’s challenging/interesting/rewarding about my current job?

• In my current role, I get to work with a lot of different people – both within the organization and externally. I work with basically every department in some aspect, I work with local non-profits and community groups, I work with members of the general public/readers, and I work with some national agencies for their advertising… so it’s great most days because no day is the same. In many ways this is also a challenge because things are constantly changing. But the big thing there is communication and making sure that when things do change, everyone knows what’s happening.
• Working for a newspaper, it’s interesting because it’s definitely an industry that’s changing and evolving and we have so many opportunities for ways to provide news through to the community (online through various channels, mobile devices, and of course still print). It’s a challenging industry in some ways, but there’s so many opportunities for growth and change and that makes up for it.

How do I use various communication proficiencies in my work?

• When you’re constantly working with so many people both inside and outside of your company, you end up working with and communicating with a lot of different people with overall different communication styles. Knowing how to work with all these personalities is huge.

What surprised me about my career?

• My career hasn’t really been a straight line. My basic job function/role has more or less stayed in the same realm, but I went from working for an international training company, to a perfume/cosmetics distributor to now working in media at a newspaper. It’s been interesting though, and I’ve learned a lot along the way.

Here’s my number one piece of advice for Communication undergrads:

• Use your resources! Work with advisers and staff members to get advice and gain an edge once you’re out of school. This includes the somewhat obvious “get an internship” or some other job or volunteer experience that’s applicable to what you’re interested in doing once you’re out of school. Also, network with professionals outside of your professors as well. You never know who you’ll meet who might be able to help you find a job after college.

Class year: 2009

Previous jobs since graduation: Marketing Manager: The Herald-Whig (2013-2016), Marketing Manager: Miglin Sales & Distribution (2010-2013)