How does a recent college graduate jump-start a public relations career in the midst of the Great Recession? For Kristin Davie, the answer was simple: Stand out.
Using skills honed at Marist College, where she graduated in 2009 with a BA in Public Relations and Business, Davie launched her own blog, College Countdown. Answering Help a Reporter Out (HARO) queries, she pitched herself as an “unemployed college graduate.” She landed several interviews, including a live, on-air spot with Fox & Friends and was featured in a Bloomberg BusinessWeek article.
At Peppercomm, the 28-year-old Davie has been promoted four times in five years and has steadily grown in responsibility, knowledge and effectiveness. She knows the value of mentorship, as a recipient and giver of career advice and counsel. She heads up Peppercomm’s intern program, where she mentors the next rising PR stars.
Interns, who are referred to as ‘The PeppSquad,’ work a full-time schedule and are supported by the Intern Committee and a buddy to help show them the ropes of the agency. As part of the team, they can also expect to be treated as an entry-level communications pro.