Houda Elyazgi - Senior Account Executive for Saxum PR

Photo provided by Saxum PR website.

By Cassie Little

It didn’t take Houda Elyazgi much time to make it in the world of public relations after graduation from the University of Oklahoma’s Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication in 2007. After just three years working in the field, Elyazgi is a Senior Account Executive for Saxum PR at the firm’s Oklahoma City location.

Elyazgi said her job is one that requires competence in many fields as well as a lot of patience. Some of the skills she considers most important include: communication, writing, oratory, leadership, multimedia and social skills. She describes the work as hectic and exciting but very rewarding at the same time. One of her favorite parts of the job is the opportunity she’s been given to work with non-profit organizations.

A typical workday for Elyazgi is always changing. She said most workdays start early in the morning consuming a vast amount of media including newspapers like The Oklahoman and The Tulsa World, as well as numerous online sources. Then, her day is filled with client meetings and campaign tasks.

She considers the most difficult part of her job the high stress level it invokes. She said the best way to not be overwhelmed at work is to take a deep breath, step back and remember to take the job one step at a time.

While many challenges are included when working in public relations, Elyazgi said the benefits outweigh the obstacles. She suggests that future PR practitioners work to take initiative and use their voices.

“Never be afraid to step on someone’s toes and challenge yourself,” she said. “If you’re always comfortable, you’re doing something wrong.”

OFF THE MAT, INTO THE WORLD

Photo provided by the Engage Network.

By: Cassie Little

In 2007 the Engage Network, which includes programs like “What’s Your Tree” and “Green for All,” partnered with some of yoga’s biggest names to create “Off the Mat, Into the World.” “Off the mat” is an organization that strives to bring social awareness to yoga practitioners and create grassroots movements within communities and abroad. Because the meaning of the word yoga is “union,” yoga classes are a great place to integrate a message for union between human beings and social change in society.

Currently, “Off the Mat” is engaged in the “Global Seva Challenge,” this is a project that encourages the yoga community around the world to make donations and give time to communities in crisis. Through grassroots fundraising and community service, "Off the Mat" raised $524,000 for community work in Cambodia in 2008, $577,000 for work in Uganda in 2009, and is currently working to raise money for communities in South Africa.

Not only is "Off the Mat" doing great things abroad, it is an organization that strives to encourage people to do what they can wherever they are, in their own communities. By becoming more socially aware and conscious, yoga practitioners around the world are making a difference through fundraising and volunteerism. Seane Corn, one of the founding members of “Off the Mat,” expressed that she believes service is one of the most incredible things a person can do because just as much as service helps others in need, it brings purpose and self awareness to the volunteer.

For more information, visit www.offthematintotheworld.org.