Degree(s): BJ '18

Whereabouts: United States, Nevada, Las Vegas

What do you do?
After graduating in May 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism – emphasis in Strategic Communication, Public Relations and minors in Spanish and Business – I spent six months in St. Louis working at a social media marketing startup helping with hospitality and beverage clients. From there, I took a role offered to me at Wynn Nightlife in Las Vegas, Nevada, in October 2018. There, I was handling everything from digital marketing to influencer events, talent relations, and everything in between. I began as a marketing coordinator for Encore Beach Club but was quickly promoted to Nightlife Senior Marketing Specialist. Due to Coronavirus’ impact on Las Vegas and live events, I was furloughed in June 2020. Most recently, I have re-entered the agency world by joining the team at KWSM: a digital marketing agency. Here I am a digital marketing specialist. My clients still fall into the entertainment and beverage industries.

How did you get your job?
My first job in St. Louis I actually found out about initially from a J-School email blast. For my roles at Wynn Nightlife and KWSM I found out about them on Glassdoor and then utilized LinkedIn networking tactics to land the interviews.

What is the best professional lesson you learned at the J-School?
Not necessarily professional “lesson,” but if you are a strong writer, you’ll never find yourself out of work for long. Writing for social, website copy, press releases, e-blasts – the list goes on – is something every company always has and always will need even through pandemics and recessions.

What advice do you have for current students?
Get your online social media certifications. Twitter Flight School, Facebook Ads Manager, Google Ads – these are great resume builders but also practical skills. I use a combination of these every day. Also take advantage of free classes on campus like those for Excel, Powerpoint, and special social media speakers. You’ll likely need this information later, so learning it in college and having that extra time to master it is vital.

What is your favorite J-School memory?
Any class with Holly Higginbotham really honed in my skills that apply to my field and career.