Degree(s): BJ '75, BA '75

Whereabouts: United States, California, San Jose

What do you do?
I’m senior communication manager for the emerging solutions group at Cisco in San Jose, California. The job involves a great mix of communication skills: writing speeches, planning Web content, publishing a book, counseling senior managers on presentation skills.

How did you get your job?
Networking. I’ve been extremely active in the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) and have found a couple of jobs through my professional network. I’ve also tapped the same network to hire people to work for me.

What is the best professional lesson you learned at the J-School?
How to be clear and concise.

What advice do you have for current students?
Network like crazy. Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter are just the start.

What is your favorite J-School memory?
Working at KBIA during semester breaks. As a townie, I could get an entire semester’s practicum done in just a couple of weeks. And since I had been working for a few years at KFRU before coming to KBIA, I’d be asked to work combo shifts as announcer, producer and engineer. The only downside: The fourth floor of Jesse was a very lonely place at 6 a.m. over the Christmas holiday.