Meet five public relations majors as they each share their professional aspirations once they earn their bachelor’s degree in public relations or master’s degree in strategic communication. To earn a bachelor’s degree at Rowan University, students take 30 credits (10 classes) of core public relations classes in their majro, plus 9 credits (3 classes) of related electives. The remainder of the standard 120 credits to earn a bachelor’s degree from a college or university is satisfied through electives, general education courses, and any minors, concentrations or double majors students may choose.
Public relations practitioners create strategy and content to manage an organization’s reputation and share its story with audiences.
Could you describe your short-term professional goals?
“I currently have an internship with BloomSocial Club and a full time job as their office manager and content creator. The main goal is to eventually work for BloomSocial Club and be able to work from any location.” – Dynasty Suarez, master’s in strategic communication student, from Woodbridge, NJ (Middlesex County)
“My biggest short-term goal for the year is to bring coverage and success to ProfAgency, our on campus student-run agency. I am also looking forward to the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) conference this year in Nashville. PRSSA has given me the chance to gather ideas of what I can do with my degree after I graduate. I would love to work for a well-known social company like Google, YouTube, Spotify, etc. Being involved with a large company with various departments, I can dip my toes into the water and see what I enjoy in the work field, and what I do not.” – Olivia Gill, senior public relations major, from Ocean Township, NJ (Ocean County)
What is your long-term professional dream goal?
“Following graduation I would like to land a position such as event planning, project management, communications, brand management, nonprofit community affairs, etc. This sounds like a long list but that’s why I love PR and strategic communications; it’s a huge umbrella of different areas to explore. I would like a career in which I can work for a company that authentically gives back to the community.” – Erin Maiolino, senior public relations major from Washington Township, NJ (Gloucester County)
“I want to become an event planner in my future. Before that, I would like to intern at an agency to gain relevant experience.” – Shawn Spiller, senior public relations major from Maple Shade, NJ (Burlington County)
What internships, clubs, networking, etc. are you involved in and how do they support your goals?
“My professors are a huge help by always passing down opportunities and suggestions. There are always people you can network with if you ask the right questions.” – Erin
“I am the current treasurer for Rowan’s PRSSA. It gets me directly involved with the public relations world and industry.” – Shawn
What Rowan professors or classes have been most helpful and enlightening to you, and how?
“My favorite class I have taken so far has been Publication Layout and Design with Elizabeth Spade. Not only did this class put my graphic design skills to the test, but has shown me a wide range of skills I can apply to my work in and out of the classroom. Being so passionate about editing and graphic work, I thoroughly enjoyed the creative freedom we had in this class, and look forward to taking the advanced section. Professor Garrett Broad and Louis Rodolico made class enjoyable, interesting, and interactive all in one. The professors in the College of Communication & Creative Arts go above and beyond for us students to ensure we have all the knowledge and tools we need to succeed as students, and as we navigate life as school slowly comes to an end.” – Olivia
“I’ve always enjoyed Dr. Allison Novak’s classes. I respond well to her teaching style and have learned so much in her classes. Prof. Kastner Farney has been a great mentor since I took her Intro to PR class sophomore year. I faced a lot of anxiety that year and she always took time to make sure I was doing okay and offer help.” – Morgan Murnane, senior public relations student from Palmyra, NJ (Burlington County)
How will this degree support your dreams and goals?
“Having this degree will support my dreams and goals. Although most people think marketing and social media content is easy there is a lot of research and work that goes into creating the best content and version of a brand. Therefore this degree and experience from my classes will open many job opportunities.” – Dynasty
“My public relations degree will support my dream of working in a diverse career field where I get to write, be creative and problem-solve.” – Morgan
Written by: Jordyn Dauter, junior double major in dance & elementary education
Photos by: Valentina Giannattasio