The Many Hats of Alyssa Gardina

The Many Hats of Alyssa Gardina

By: Andrea Segura

Photo Courtesy of Alyssa Gardina

Alyssa Gardina describes herself as wearing many hats when she refers to her position in public relations. As a graphic designer, copywriter, media strategist and social media aficionado Gardina is on the new media side of the profession and represents where the field is heading in the future.

Gardina began with a brief background on herself. She is originally from New Jersey and still proudly describes herself as a ‘Jersey Girl’ She graduated from Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York with a B.S. degree in Integrated Marketing Communications and a minor in American History. Gardina says she counts museums and London among her favorite things. “I love good wine, good food and good conversation, especially when I can find all 3 in one place.” Gardina also runs a successful blog on which she discusses current technology trends mixed with a refreshing bit of her quirky humor.

Gardina held two previous positions as Social Media Supervisor at Ansira and Social Media Specialist at Razor before moving to Dallas, Texas. Today Gardina is an Account Supervisor at Weber Shandwick in Dallas where She works on a variety of brands, developing their social media strategies and tactics in order to increase brand awareness and customer engagement. She is also the Vice President of Branding at Social Media Club - Dallas Chapter. She also counts co-founder of fiveoclockdallas.com, a review site and community for Dallas bars and happy hours, among the extensive list of her accomplishments. Her responsibilities with Five O’Clock Dallas included creating content for bar listings, happy hour listings, blog posts and video reviews.

Gardina says her goals are to use her well-rounded computer, creative, research and communication skills to seamlessly combine the fields of research, marketing and media production. She also is ready and willing to share her expertise and says thinking simple is key in the public relations industry.

A Life Dedicated to Music

Andy Nunez is the founder, owner, and operator of Opolis Productions, LLC, a music promotions company and venue, which he manages with his wife and bandmate Marian Nunez. Nunez has a passionate history with music, starting in the 6^th grade when he formed his first band right here in Norman. As time and his skill set progressed, so did his involvement in the Oklahoma music scene. “Most people interested in music, their interest sparks at a young age, grabs them, and never lets go,” said Nunez. Such a statement holds true for Nunez, as his progression from middle school bands to former Barsuk Records band the Starlight Mints finally lead him to his current gig as a music promoter.

Nunez attended college at Rose State University and the University of Oklahoma after an early graduation from Norman High School. He did not obtain a degree, because he dropped out to pursue his music career in Oregon after a short two years. As Nunez joked, “My wife got a degree in Art Media. We’re still paying for it.”

Nunez relayed information about the status of the music industry today, and remarked that the most challenging aspect of his job was keeping up with the constant fluctuation of trends, much like music and cultural icon Bob Dylan.

When asked which advice he would give to new professionals, Nunez quickly replied, “Change with the times. Be aware of trends; this business changes at a faster pace, so you have to adapt quicker in the music industry.”

photo: courtesy of Andy Nunez

My Mentor

Summer 2011 was a time in my journey to becoming a Public Relation practitioner that I would never forget. Even though I am still on my journey, I can say that my time at Devon Energy this past summer was filled with lots of knowledge and learning experiences and a time I will never experience again

My mentor during this internship was Alesha M. Leemaster, MBA, APR. Leemaster is a Senior Communications Specialist at Devon Energy. She was always quick to help me understand the different ways to deal with the media and the right way to do things in the industry. I learned so much from her and she has become someone I can go to for advise and anything I need.

Leemaster studied Public Relations at the University of Oklahoma from 1999 to 2003. She said she always loved and understood the process of public relations and knew exactly what she wanted to do when she got into college.

“A lot of people in PR say the want to join the profession because they are good with people or they are outgoing,” Leemaster said. “Those attributes are great but this profession needs people who understand the process of successful PR and have the passion needed to be successful.”

Leemaster began her career at the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, where she was a communications specialist. She stayed there for two years and then became a communications specialist for the Oklahoma Gas and Electric (OGE). Leemaster said that even though she wanted to work for a big company, she knew she had to start somewhere.

“I started off working with small companies where I was the only communications specialist,” Leemaster said. “I was responsible for every aspect of PR and that helped me acquire so many skills instead of limiting myself.”

Leemaster’s experience and her ability to handle all aspects of public relations and communications put her above her peers. In 2006, she was offered a position at Devon Energy as a Senior Communications Specialist, a position she had always dreamed of. She has been with the company ever since.

Leemaster has had a big impact in my life and she has taught me skills that I will need in my future. She also taught me to spread my wings and to make myself valuable. To be a woman in such a high position at Devon Energy shows how much talent she has and shows her passion and understanding of the process of public relations.

Media Relations in the Public Relations Profession

Jill Harrison is the manager of Public Relations and Image Development at the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber in downtown Oklahoma City. At a young age she has accomplished a successful career in the field of Public Relations. She is APR certified and she has received many awards in her field.

Jill Harrison, Manager of Public Relations and Image Development

Photo e-mailed to me by Jill Harrison

She received her degree in Journalism and Mass Communication with an emphasis in Public Relations and a minor in Spanish from the University of Kansas. In April of her senior year she began to look for a job for after graduation. She sent out her resume and other information to potential employees looking for a job. She also sent information to her advisor. One day her advisor received an e-mail about a job and recommended Jill for it, and that is how she found her first job.

I asked Jill what they hardest part about her job is and she laughed and said it depends on the day.

“For the most part working in media relations I have had difficulty because reporters have become so busy with covering so many different stories,” said Harrison. “Even when you send them newsworthy stories they do not always have time to cover it. I know they are very busy with so many stories, but they tend to be very short with you and are difficult to work with.”

I asked Jill what she would recommend to future Public Relations professionals such as myself and she was very passionate about her answer. She strongly recommended the following things:

1. Show up
2. Be on time
3. Have a good attitude
4. Never say something isn't your job
5. Try
6. Ask Questions

Find tips on being a successful intern

“There are some things they are not able to teach you in school,” said Harrison. “These tips are all things you should know before going in to a job interview. Some things come from learning and experience, but there is nothing more important that good work ethic.”

Meeting with such a successful Public Relations professional such as Jill was such an amazing opportunity. I enjoyed getting to know her and she is definitely someone I would love to be my mentor as I enter the professional world.

Advice from a PR Professional

Influences from the Past

Four years ago as I considered what my ideal career path would be, I remember looking back to my conversations with our family friend Julie, a Public Relations professional at CBS San Francisco. These conversations have impacted my life and helped with my decision to enter the world of Public Relations. I recently got in contact with Julie to fill her in on my time at the University of Oklahoma and learn more about her life in San Francisco.

History of Success

Julie Pearson graduated at the University of Texas and has now been a public relations professional for 35 years. Pearson and her family of four moved to California after her husband found a job, and for the last 22 years she has worked at CBS Broadcasting in San Francisco. What she loves most about her job is the large number of people she gets to meet and the opportunities it provides her.

“Working at CBS, or rather in the Public Relations field in general, has introduced me to so many interesting people,” Pearson said. “Not only do I come in contact with so many people, but I actually form relationships with them that will last a lifetime.”

Advice

Pearson was enthusiastic to give me advice for my career as I told her I would be graduating shortly. She emphasized my need for networking and keeping in contact with everyone I meet, and explained the many opportunities made available to her through networking.

“You never know what the smallest conversations with new people can do for you,” Pearson said. “It’s extremely important to keep in touch with someone after you first meet. A simple e-mail can make all the difference.”

Additional links:

http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/

http://www.cbscorporation.com/corp_careers.php?id=268

http://www.blogger.com/PRBlog

http://publicrelationsblogger.com/

http://www.pr-squared.com/

Photo: Courtesy of Julie Pearson

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

A Career Path Worth Following

The Path I Wish to Take

Having interned at the Oklahoma City Thunder for two semesters and currently working part-time there, my dream job and ultimate goal through my Public Relations degree at The University of Oklahoma is to work full-time for the Thunder after graduation. Kaylee Losinger, a Guest Relations Specialist for the Oklahoma City Thunder, took the exact career path I wish to take.

How to Get the Job

Ms. Losinger, like myself, interned with the Oklahoma City Thunder the semester before she graduated. Although she graduated with one class left to take, she started working with the Thunder while finishing up her degree. Now, she works full time in the Guest Relations department.

“The first part of my job mainly revolves around communicating with the fans,” Losinger said.

Every day the Guest Relations department gets hundreds of emails from fans for variety of different reasons. Ms. Losinger’s job requires he to hold up the standards placed by the Thunder of responding to each email or request within one business day. This can include anything from sending Thunder memorabilia to fans, to responding to a question or problem.

The second part of her job is acting as a liaison between the arena staff and the staff at the Oklahoma City Thunder. During games, these groups of people constantly interact. Ms. Losinger helps them stay in contact through internal newsletters, conferences and other forms of communication.

Advice for an Aspiring Professional

When asked what her advice would be for someone wanting to go into her field of work, she simply responded, “stick with it and make all the connections you can.”

Her advice has directly affected me. While interning at the Thunder I have taken every opportunity to meet anyone I can. I get advice from anyone willing to give it and do not take for granted a single day. Hopefully, my future will lead me right where Kaylee’s led her.

Brenna Kent

November 10, 2011

Photo: Courtesy of Okeicentric