As October unfolds, I am hitting the halfway point of semester 1 as a junior at The University of Texas at Austin. This season of life has brought about numerous exciting updates:
Firstly, I kicked off the school year with a wealth of fresh knowledge gained from my internship at Texas Instruments. This experience not only enriched my skill set but also set a high standard for what I seek in the workplace. I relished the opportunity to work on tangible projects within a goal-oriented environment. What truly stood out to me was Texas Instruments' commitment to authentic Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, their dedication to maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and their genuine desire to make a positive impact on the communities surrounding their offices. Under the mentorship of Heather Gibke, CMP, and Sierra Lawson, I had the privilege of immersing myself in high-profile events and trade shows. Notably, I even had the chance to run my own events, publish an article, and attend the International Microwave Symposium in San Diego. I can confidently say that my time at Texas Instruments was filled with nothing but positive takeaways.
Secondly, serving as the Vice President of the Texas PRSSA (Public Relations Student Society of America) has kept me busy. Collaborating closely with our President, Anika Grendell, and our amazing team we are approaching our third meeting. This year, we successfully welcomed 161 members to our organization. In my role as VP, I've been dedicated to planning sessions that benefit both underclassmen and upperclassmen while actively seeking out Public Relations professionals from diverse fields to provide valuable real-world insights. Serving as a leader within the school community has been immensely fulfilling, and I consider myself fortunate to be in this role.
Regarding school, everything is running smoothly. I'm currently enrolled in 15 hours of coursework and savoring the smaller class sizes that come with upper-division classes. Two standout courses for me are Advertising and PR Research with Professor Lee Ann Kahlor and Public Relations Techniques with Professor Deena Kemp. In my class with Professor Khalor, I'm learning how to apply statistical research to craft compelling brand narratives, with brands like Fenty Beauty as case studies. In my class with Professor Kemp, we're taking the pen and paper back out and working on pitches, press releases, op-eds, media kits, and more. All my classes have been engaging, and I can't commend the faculty at UT enough for their dedication and expertise.
Lastly, I'm thrilled to announce that I've been accepted into Universitat Pompeu Fabra for an exchange program in Barcelona, Spain. I eagerly anticipate rounding off my Spanish language skills and even picking up some Catalan during this exciting venture. Thanks to the Texas Excellence/Presidential Scholarship, I am excited to spend the remainder of my junior year abroad.
Hook 'em 🤘 !
Student at University of Wisconsin-Madison
6moWhat an amazing opportunity! So glad I applied, creativity is such an overlooked quality and I’m glad it is such a big part of Small Girls PR. They truly are the trailblazers of the PR world!