{"id":17650,"date":"2025-05-01T13:29:28","date_gmt":"2025-05-01T17:29:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/artsci\/?p=17650"},"modified":"2025-05-01T15:09:44","modified_gmt":"2025-05-01T19:09:44","slug":"kaitlyn-ivory-24","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/artsci\/news\/kaitlyn-ivory-24\/","title":{"rendered":"Kaitlyn Ivory ’24"},"content":{"rendered":"

Why did you choose URI?
\n<\/b>I transferred to URI after taking a gap year during the pandemic. I chose URI because I loved the campus \u2014 it\u2019s 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. <\/span><\/p>\n

How did you choose your major?
\n<\/b>I didn\u2019t start college knowing exactly what I wanted to do, but I had a strong sense of what I was drawn to. I\u2019ve always been passionate about writing and storytelling, and I\u2019ve also been fascinated by the media, especially how the representations we see can shape our understanding of the world. URI\u2019s communication studies<\/a> 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

What was your favorite class, and\/or professor? And how did that inform your time at URI?
\n<\/b>My favorite class was advertising and consumerism with Professor Kristine Cabral<\/a>. <\/span>We explored the psychology behind advertising, focusing on how messaging and symbols are used to create perceived \u2018needs\u2019 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. <\/span>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. <\/span><\/p>\n

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 \u2013 it’s about building meaningful, mutually beneficial relationships between the public and organizations.   <\/span><\/p>\n

What was your greatest resource at URI?
\n<\/b>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<\/a>. 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Kim taught several of my classes and was the program director of the <\/span>Social Media Research Lab<\/span><\/a>, 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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: \u201cInvestigating the Role of Media Exposure to Bisexual People in Shaping the Public Support for LGBTQ+ Inclusive Education and Disapproval of Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislations.\u201d That project was funded by URI\u2019s Office of <\/span>Undergraduate Research and Innovation<\/span>, and I ended up presenting it at the 115th Eastern Communication Association Conference in Cambridge. I never imagined I\u2019d conduct original research, let alone present at a conference. That experience took me out of my comfort zone in the best way, and I\u2019m so grateful Dr. Kim encouraged me to go for it. Professors like him are what allow students like me to really grow.<\/span><\/p>\n

What was your internship with MWW (MikeWorldWide) like?
\n<\/b>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.<\/span><\/p>\n

What did you learn from your internship with MWW?
\n<\/b>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. <\/span><\/p>\n

What was the process of securing your current job with Workplace Options (WPO)? 
\n<\/b>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. <\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Even as an intern, I was trusted with real responsibilities:<\/span><\/p>\n