Why did you choose URI?
I transferred to URI after taking a gap year during the pandemic. I chose URI because I loved the campus — it’s in a gorgeous location, and it has a strong reputation for being a tight community. I appreciated being surrounded by professors and students who cared about what they were doing. Their ambition was contagious in the best way; it kept me motivated and open to new opportunities. 

How did you choose your major?
I didn’t start college knowing exactly what I wanted to do, but I had a strong sense of what I was drawn to. I’ve always been passionate about writing and storytelling, and I’ve also been fascinated by the media, especially how the representations we see can shape our understanding of the world. URI’s communication studies program covered all these interests, and the longer I stayed in the program, the more I got to explore and get closer to finding my perfect fit. Eventually, I took some PR classes and realized that this is what I wanted to do.

What was your favorite class, and/or professor? And how did that inform your time at URI?
My favorite class was advertising and consumerism with Professor Kristine Cabral. We explored the psychology behind advertising, focusing on how messaging and symbols are used to create perceived ‘needs’ and drive consumer behavior. It honestly made me more critical about the messaging I was seeing, which is a very useful skill to have, especially in public relations. That class also taught me how to synthesize large volumes of reading into clear and concise takeaways; condensing complex information is a very important skill especially in my career. 

Most importantly, it taught me to be a more critical consumer and highlighted the ethical responsibility I have as someone who creates messaging. PR isn’t just about positive brand image – it’s about building meaningful, mutually beneficial relationships between the public and organizations.   

What was your greatest resource at URI?
Honestly, the professors. I had so many who were supportive and genuinely invested in students, and that made a huge difference in my experience. One professor I especially want to shout out is Dr. Joon Kim. He pushed me academically and played a huge role in where I am today. He is the perfect example of what a professor and mentor should be.

Dr. Kim taught several of my classes and was the program director of the Social Media Research Lab, and through that I got an internship at MikeWorldWide. He also connected me to Workplace Options, which is how I got my internship and eventually landed my first full-time job.

One moment that really shaped me happened in his research methods and communications class. I reached out with a question on a homework assignment and casually mentioned a topic I was interested in. He proposed we turn it into a research project: “Investigating the Role of Media Exposure to Bisexual People in Shaping the Public Support for LGBTQ+ Inclusive Education and Disapproval of Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislations.” That project was funded by URI’s Office of Undergraduate Research and Innovation, and I ended up presenting it at the 115th Eastern Communication Association Conference in Cambridge. I never imagined I’d conduct original research, let alone present at a conference. That experience took me out of my comfort zone in the best way, and I’m so grateful Dr. Kim encouraged me to go for it. Professors like him are what allow students like me to really grow.

What was your internship with MWW (MikeWorldWide) like?
I was a social media research lab assistant, where I helped with media monitoring, social listening, and data cleaning. I also contributed the daily news and trends report that the insights and analytics team used to guide strategy.

What did you learn from your internship with MWW?
I got an idea of what it was like to work for a PR Agency: It was very fast paced, with lots of projects and quick turnaround times. Being in an environment like that helped me improve my time management skills and learn how to pay high attention to detail. 

What was the process of securing your current job with Workplace Options (WPO)? 
I originally joined Workplace Options as a PR Specialist Intern. From the start, I felt welcomed and supported. My managers trusted me to grow and learn without micromanaging, while still providing helpful feedback that strengthened my skills. As a global wellbeing company focused on supporting the mental and physical health of employees, their mission aligned perfectly with what I care about. 

During the internship, I worked on press releases, contributed to PR campaigns, and secured media coverage. After a successful summer, they extended my internship and eventually offered me a full-time position.

Even as an intern, I was trusted with real responsibilities:

• Writing press releases for new programs 
• Researching relevant media outlets and contacts 
• Crafting customized pitches 
• Securing media coverage
• Creating talking points for subject matter experts
• Sitting in on interviews and seeing the story get published
• It gave me a full-circle view of the PR process and a real taste of what it means to work in this field. 

Working for a global company has also been incredibly rewarding—it’s improved my communication skills, exposed me to diverse perspectives, and taught me how to collaborate effectively across cultures and time zones. It’s helped me become more adaptable and aware of how to tailor messages for different audiences. The transition to full-time honestly felt seamless. The longer my internship lasted, the more trust and responsibility I was given.

What are your future career goals?
I’m still figuring out the exact path, but for now, I want to stay in public relations, ideally working with organizations that make a real difference. Helping people and doing meaningful work is what motivates me.

What advice would you give others who are interested in your field of work?
Be a strong writer. Being able to synthesize large amounts of information and turn it into compelling, concise content is crucial. And don’t underestimate the power of storytelling—it needs to feel genuine, not salesy. Also, be patient. Building relationships with the media takes time, but with thoughtful pitching and consistency, it pays off.