Career Path of a Communications Strategist at a Health Nonprofit
Apoorvaa's career path began with a multi-faceted undergraduate education at Creighton University, majoring in journalism with a focus on news and public relations, and minoring in communication studies— "the best of three worlds." After a master's degree from Northwestern University specializing in social justice reporting and various journalism internships, a shift to communications strategy followed a stint as a breaking news reporter, leading to the current role as a communications strategist at a university-affiliated health nonprofit.
Communication Strategy, Nonprofit Experience, Journalism Background, Career Pivoting, Health Communication
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Apoorvaa Mandar Bichu
Communications Strategist
University affiliated health nonprofit
Creighton University
Masters of Science in Journalism from Northwestern University
Creative Writing, Journalism
Nonprofit, Foundations & Grantmaking, Advertising, Communications & Marketing
Communication and Marketing
International Student, Immigrant, Transfer Student
Video Highlights
1. Apoorvaa's diverse college experience: She majored in journalism with a double track in news and public relations, and minored in communication studies, gaining a well-rounded skillset in reporting, public relations, social media strategy, and communication research.
2. Her transition from journalism to communications strategy: After initially pursuing a career in journalism and working as a local reporter, she transitioned into a communications strategist role in the health nonprofit sector, demonstrating adaptability and a willingness to explore different career paths within the communication field.
3. The value of internships: Apoorvaa highlights the significant role internships played in shaping her career trajectory, providing practical experience in various communication settings, such as working for a nonprofit and a college newspaper, and ultimately helping her discover her strengths and interests within the communication field.
Transcript
Could you walk me through your career path, starting with your experiences in college and any internships or jobs you had before your current role?
I went to college at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. While I was there, I majored in journalism with two tracks: news and public relations. I also minored in communication studies.
This was great because I got to do traditional news reporting. I also got to work in public relations, learning about social media strategy and brand management. My communication studies minor added a research and theoretical component to my understanding of communication.
While in college, I did a lot of internships. I worked at a nonprofit called Erase the Hate as a communications intern, writing blog posts and helping with social media. I also worked for the college newspaper, The Creighton, as their opinion editor, writing opinion pieces.
Shortly after that, I went to Northwestern University to pursue my master's of science in journalism, specializing in social justice reporting. I did a bunch of other internships along the way, including at The Chicago Reporter and Illinois Latino News.
However, I really missed the communication strategy aspect of my earlier work. I did a lot of communications in college but not so much in grad school. My first job out of grad school was as a local reporter covering Montgomery County, Maryland.
I was a breaking news reporter, covering crime and public justice. It was an exciting job, but reporting on fires, stabbings, and accidents does take a toll. It was very fast-paced, and I eventually realized it wasn't the right path for me.
So, I decided to switch career tracks pretty early on. I started working as a communication strategist for a health nonprofit, where I worked with journalism fellows. I'm still involved in the journalism space, but now I'm doing communication strategy full-time.
Advizer Personal Links
www.callme-apps.com, Instagram: apoorvaab