College Experiences That Helped a Public Relations Account Executive at a Luxury Hospitality Public Relations Agency Succeed
A communications major, Meredith's undergraduate coursework, particularly a "job preparedness class" that refined resume and interview skills, significantly aided career readiness. The extensive essay writing required in communications classes translated directly to success in the current role as a writer of press releases for a luxury hospitality agency, with Meredith noting that "writing press releases...I always just think of it as like a mini essay".
Communication, Writing Skills, Job Preparedness, Resume/Cover Letter Writing, Interview Skills
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Meredith Sestito
Public Relations Account Executive
Luxury Hospitality Public Relations Agency
Loyola Marymount University
Communications
Hospitality, Restaurants & Events, Advertising, Communications & Marketing
Communication and Marketing
Scholarship Recipient, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Greek Life Member
Video Highlights
1. Took a job preparedness class that helped with resume and cover letter writing and interview skills.
2. Developed strong writing skills through numerous essays and a lengthy capstone project in communications coursework.
3. Utilized career and development center resources for interview training and feedback
Transcript
What did you do in undergrad to set you up for success in your career?
I was a communications major, and I think a lot of my communication classes really helped with my career and what I do on a day-to-day basis. I'm pretty much writing on a daily basis.
I did take one course, but I don't remember the name of it. It was aligned with my first internship, so it was one of those courses where you take it at the same time and it follows your internship. It was pretty much just a job preparedness class.
They helped fix my resume and cover letter, and we did interview prep. I remember we went to the career and development center for an interview training day where we got tips. I think that was the most real-life experience just about working in general, and maybe not so much specific to my career.
I do credit that and the stuff I learned in that class with translating well into how I've gotten my jobs. My resume still has the same style that I chose in that class.
From a more writing side, every communications class I took, we were writing multiple essays. So when I'm writing press releases and stuff, I am kind of the writer of my agency. I feel like I get a lot of writing projects because they know I like writing.
I'll have to write press releases all the time, and I always think of it as a mini essay. I've done so many of these, and now it's so much easier because my capstone thesis was like 50 pages long. When I have to write something that's two or three pages long, it's a walk in the park compared to what I've done before.
In the moment, it felt like I had to do so many essays, writing one every week. But now, it's paid off because it definitely doesn't feel as much of a lift as it might have if I didn't do that.