Ad/PR alumni panel

by Nancy Pavlich

During Mass Communication Week one of the sessions that I attended was the Ad and PR alumni panel. This panel was made up of four young women who have all graduated from Texas State University, and now work in the advertising and public relations fields.

The panelists had a lot of advice for the room full of Ad and PR students. They said that students should build up their resumes as much as they can while they are still in school. Students should join clubs, attend Mass Comm Week sessions, and network. "Not everyone is going to have a job waiting for you right when you graduate," said Michelle Martin, who works in non-traditional PR. It's important to get your name out there and establish yourself. "Think of yourself as a brand," said Ashley Molton, who works in a hispanic ad company in San Antonio.

The panelisits also had some encouraging words for Texas State students getting a degree in mass communications. "Texas State grads have excellent reputations, even over UT and Baylor," said Patti Kelly, who works for State Farm insurance. Molton said, "I think half of our company is from Texas state."

This may be encouraging for Texas State students who are getting closer to graduation. There are a lot of things that students have to worry about when it is time to choose your career. Molton said, "Your future is essentially in your hands."