Hello! My name is Jess, and I’m so excited to be in public relations publications this semester. I’m a senior majoring in PR and minoring in sociology and music, I’m originally from Tulsa, OK, and my greatest passions in life are music, cooking, laundry (ask me about it and I’ll explain) and people. I love to meet new people and am ready to learn how to enhance and hone in on my creative skills through this course.
Now to answer the questions posed:
Who are you? : see introduction above!
What do you believe? : This is broad and difficult, but I’m going to try. I believe in creativity and freedom of expression, especially in communications. I think that publications should be artistic and that public relations is an extension of the arts mixed up with outstanding communication skills. I believe in free thinkers, graphic designers, artists, communicators and the like, and I believe that a mix of all of those creates the best end result. I believe in eternal learning and an inquisitive nature and that asking questions is the key to success. I believe in screwing up, because it makes you better.
What do you do? : I am a member of a sorority, a member of PRSSA, a member of CAC University Sing Exec, a participant in CAC Sooner Scandals and an exec member and participant in CAC Soonerthon among other things. I love to stay busy and involved and think that a full calendar is a good calendar.
What guides you? : To be frank, the Lord. My faith is important to me and has been a steadying mechanism throughout my college experience. But outside of my religious beliefs, my mom is my greatest guide, role model and supporter. I hope to be exactly like her someday, although I don’t know many people that can follow or exceed the precedent she sets. She is incredible and has been my best friend and biggest supporter throughout college and my life generally. Artistically and creatively, music has always been my guide. When I hear a song it determines my mood, my attitude and my creative output to an extent. I think that art spurs on art, so anything that I come in contact with artistically helps to guide me to the next creative step.
What motivates you? : A hope for the future. I have had little to no life plan until this past summer and had almost no motivation at all my first three years of college, but after studying abroad this summer in London, I realized that the job I’m pursuing is not only incredibly entertaining and cutting edge, but is critical to lots and lots of people internationally. There is a need and a purpose for public relations, and there are passions that have been put in my heart that public relations will serve well. So I’m refueled and motivated to work hard and produce the highest quality of work for the betterment of myself and the industry.
Where does design fit into your life? : Most recently, in the decoration of my home. I’ve never lived in a house in college outside of the dorms and my sorority house, so living in a house with my three best friends this year is really exciting and challenging from a design perspective. When it comes to public relations design, I think it is the key to success with the growing market. The more innovative the design, the hotter the publication nowadays, so I think if we don’t learn better ways to design efficiently and effectively, we become irrelevant. I want to push this semester and see what looks really exciting and what I can develop that’s not dated or old fashioned. I’m looking to re-vamp what I’ve learned and done already and get the “2.0 version” in the coming semester.
below: me, photo booth outside of St. James’ Park, London 2016.
below: the National Gallery, London 2016.
below: pimm’s cup, the bowler pub, London 2016.
above: OKC at sunset, july 2016.
below: me and my mother, who i hope to be.
~BONUS~
Songs of the week: Taper Jean Girl by: Kings of Leon, Fire and Rain by: James Taylor, Brand New Key by: Melanie, Anticipation by: Carly Simon and Boys Like You by: Who is Fancy
