Welcome to Brazen Careerist!

About Me

I recently graduated from Miami University after spending four years learning a little bit about everything. I took the whole gamut of Strategic Communication courses, explored obscure topics for my liberal arts requirements and dabbled in psychology. My favorite classes were the ones that gave me new insights into things I took for granted -- like Intro to Mass Communication where we talked about modern mythologies in advertising and I finally realized why Oprah was on at different times in different cities (duh!) -- or the ones that made me look at things in a whole new way, like the honors philosophy course that asked (and required that I answer) the lofty question, “What is the best life?” So what did I say? I argued (over the course of 20 citation-filled pages) in true Millennial style that the meaningful life is the only life worth living.

Looking back on my four years, the big takeaway was this: follow your passions. It was this pathos, rather than logic or reason, where I found real meaning. I saw too many of my friends burn out and give up on trying to do the practical thing. What I’m passionate about is building relationships with other people. I’ve always had a knack for writing and anyone who knows me will vouch that I love to talk. I also care deeply about changing the world for a better future, while preserving the things that sustain us and give our lives meaning. When it came time to pick a career, public relations was a perfect fit because it has allowed me to put the skills and interests I have always had towards a meaningful livelihood. Instead of selling out and working for “the man” I hope to help major corporations be more transparent, behave more responsibly and put their resources towards sustainable practices.

Sure, it sounds like the dreams of a cliche idealist, but I don’t care. I’d rather be a visionary than a realist.

Oh, and I'm a proud ENFP. Can you tell?

Work History

• Emanate PR
• Associate
• August 2010 to Present

• Fleishman-Hillard
• Public Relations - Technology Practice
• May 2010 to August 2010

• *My regular activities include coverage reports; tracking progress in account activities; competitive research' identifying editorial calendar opportunities, awards submission requirements and deadlines, and events/ speaking opportunities; building media lists and supporting media outreach.
  *My contributions have mainly touch high-tech clients Avaya, Huawei and Sterling Commerce. I have also assisted with projects for Visa, AT&T and Chevron.

• Public Relations Capstone
• Assistant Account Executive
• January 2010 to May 2010

• My team collaborated to create a year-long public relations campaign for the Miami University Gerontology Program. We presented our client with a detailed plan to increase awareness of and participation in the program on campus, along will all materials needed to implement the program. We conducted original research and worked closely with the client throughout the process to ensure maximum effectiveness. The full client book, except for the brochure we designed, can be seen in my Top Ideas section.

• Ruder Finn
• Corporate Advisory Group Intern
• June 2009 to July 2009

• *I developed practice group capabilities documents for use in new business pitches.
  *My daily activities included media monitoring, maintaining media lists, identifying editorial calendar opportunities, research, writing backgrounders and executive summaries, and updating materials.
  *I touched on multiple accounts, including Novartis Pharmaceuticals'H1N1 vaccine and organ transplantation medication issues management; 3i, a private equity group; Corazonas chips and California's acrylamide regulations; Excedrine and the FDA's review of acetaminophen in OTC drugs; recruiting participants for human trials in autism treatment programs; and Johnson & Johnson's patent litigation and OTC products.

• Phi Delta Theta International Headquarters
• Communications Intern
• August 2009 to January 2010

• *I helped cover the responsibilities of the vacant Director of Communications position by contributing to the organization's website and print materials.
  *I interviewed notable alumni to research multiple articles, assisted in the production of an educational video, helped monitor their social media sites and develop a mock-up for the Phi Delta Theta Foundation Facebook page, collected pricing information from 15 marketing firms for a direct mail campaign, designed new stationary for recruiting materials and helped profile Foundation scholarship and fellowship recipients.

• PR Visions
• Assitant Account Executive
• August 2008 to May 2010

• *PR Visions is Miami University's student-run PR firm, in association with the Miami chapter of PRSSA.
  *My team worked with the social networking site Venturepax.com to plan a launch of the website, attract new members and encourage user-generated content development.
  *We planned a photo contest for the launch, sought partnerships with relevant groups/websites, pitched relevant media, designed promotional materials and distributed them on campus, brainstormed ideas to generate interest, gave input into website and social media layout and content.
  *I spearheaded blogger outreach, with a focus on mom bloggers, as the website was targeting families.

Education

• Miami University
• BA in Strategic Communication, Public Relations, Abnormal Psychology
• 2006 - 2010

• Honors and Scholars Program, Presidents List, Deans List, Cum Laude

• University of Westminster
• Media and Design Summer Program
• 2008 - 2008

• Study abroad course in magazine journalism and page design