Public Relations: Follow Your Dreams

Choosing a Career Path

Megan Hundahl knew what she wanted to do with her life in grade school. She looked on with teachers and peers as the space shuttle Challenger exploded over the Atlantic Ocean. From then on, Hundahl became infatuated with national television news.

Achieving Goals

After graduating from Baylor University in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in communications, Hundahl moved to New York. During her junior year in college Hundahl interned with Good Morning America and kept in touch with her boss; as a result, after graduation she began work in the booking department of Good Morning America. For 10 years, Hundahl was responsible for booking all the live guests for the show.

Currently, Hundahl is working in Uvalde, Texas as the head of public relations for Uvalde Memorial Hospital.

Everyday Challenges

In her public relations career, Hundahl finds the most difficult part of her job to be keeping ideas fresh. In order to do that she says, “You have to do a lot of reading and research.”

Advice for a Young Professional

Hundahl offered some valuable advice for those thinking of entering the public relations profession, “You have to work your way up. You have to learn every level because every level is important to your overall strategy—which is to do the best work for your organization.”

Lastly, Hundahl added, “Don’t get frustrated because you’ll learn more from failure than from success.”

Additional links:

http://www.umhtx.org/

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/topics/show/good-morning-america/

http://youngie.prblogs.org/

http://www.pr-media-blog.co.uk/

http://propr.ca/

Molly Myers

Houston reports presence of real-life "Wonder Woman"

Cher Weldon, The Lee Group - Partner, Director of Operations, Account Manager

Laid-back, yet professional. Flexible, yet always on time. Balanced, yet works 24/7. Sophisticated, but country.

By Christa Stewart

These are things that make up the ideal public relations and communications professional, and Cher Weldon of The Lee Group embodies exactly those attributes. The Lee Group takes pride in working by the mantra, "why not?" So does Cher. Ms. Weldon has accomplished much in her 12 years in the advertising and public relations industry by treating possibilities as probabilities and using her impeccable wisdom to differentiate between the two.

Cher earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in marketing from the University of West Florida. Her professional career originally began with The Lee Group, working primarily in account service and print production management. In between early morning status meetings and late night press checks, she rode outdoor locations for the areas largest financial institution, concepted weekly television and radio spots for a large furniture and appliance retailer and developed grassroots public relations and marketing strategies for local and regional accounts.

Then, as part of an experimental phase, Cher spent a short time as a financial analyst for the Pepsi-Cola Company.  However, her passion for advertising brought her back to the advertising and public relations industry…and back to The Lee Group.  Cher’s experience ranges from executive management and new business development to strategic planning and tactical implementation.  Her research, planning, negotiating and production skills span across all print and broadcast mediums.  As partner and account supervisor at The Lee Group, she ensures that all clients are consistently captivated with The Lee Group’s creative and communication services.

After more than 30 years, The Lee Group attributes their success to a grounded commitment to service excellence, sound marketing and communication strategies and unparalleled creativity. With offices in Houston and Beaumont, they have partnered with companies of all sizes and within diverse industries. Through their work with more than 900 banks and credit unions across the country (including the 1^st Bank Oklahoma), The Lee Group has developed an expertise in the financial services industry that is second to none.  

In 2009, The Lee Group garnered five Gold Addys, six Silver Addys, three Bronze Addys and two Judges Awards at the local AAF competition, the first of a three-tiered national competition conducted annually by the American Advertising Federation (AAF).  At the district level (includes the four-state area of Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Arkansas), The Lee Group was honored with a bronze Addy Award.  The AAF Awards Competition is the creative industry’s largest and most representative competition for creative excellence.  The Addy Awards celebrate the finest and most innovative work in advertising, public relations and marketing communications.

Cher has “worn many hats” over the years and encourages young professionals to seek out and accept every opportunity presented early in their career.  “Demonstrate your commitment, take initiative, hone your personal relationship marketing skills and NETWORK, NETWORK, NEWTORK.”

She also recommends keeping up with industry publications and Web sites.

For instance, check out Jesse Ferrell's book, "How You Leave Them Feeling: Your Ultimate Key to Personal & Professional Success," on which Cher worked as a contributing editor. 

Cher’s hobbies and pastimes include reading, horseback riding, traveling and listening to country music.   She enjoys spending my time with people who are always aspiring to increase their quality of life.

Also, feel free to find Cher on LinkedIn to make sure you are staying connected and building your professional network. 

Photograph courtesy of The Lee Group.