Name:
Rebecca Hansen
Position/Company:
Marketing and Community Relations Lead at Sky Zone Greensboro
Location:
Greensboro, NC
Education:
B.S. Communication, East Carolina University & M.S. Public Relations, Syracuse University
Social Media Handle:
@RebeccaHansenPR
What made you interested in PR and communications?
I was involved in a lot of communication-centric activities in high school like morning announcements, forensics (public speaking) and drama. When it came time to apply to universities, I wanted something that would allow me to merge my writing, speaking and design skills all in one.
How did you find internships/jobs?
- College of Human Ecology at East Carolina University Internship: Saw an online posting with ECU.
- Semple Solutions Internship (Small PR Firm): Owner came to speak to my PRSSA group.
- Syracuse Stage Internship: Sought out an entertainment-focused PR internship by utilizing the Newhouse Career Center (Syracuse University).
- Dassault Falcon Jet Internship: Networked within the company and created a custom internship.
- Sky Zone Greensboro Job: Looked on Indeed for communication jobs within North Carolina.
What has been the most valuable thing you have learned through classes or experience?
I was skeptical to take a social media class because I thought as a millennial, I knew pretty much everything about Facebook and Twitter, but I took a class at Newhouse (Syracuse University) and learned to deep-dive into analytics and read demographics to benefit a brand.
What has been the best piece of advice you have received?
Read your material out loud so it’s easier to catch typos or awkward-sounding phrases.
Do you have any advice of your own for future PR pros?
Take advantage of any learning opportunity, whether or not you’ll think it’ll help you at the moment. It may benefit you in the future!
What do you think is the best benefit of PRSA and the New Pros section?
The network is incredible! Many seasoned professionals are willing to mentor recent graduates.
Why did you decide to get your Master’s in PR?
There were a few factors that played into my decision to get my Master’s degree. Due to my academic record, I received a scholarship to one of the most prestigious communication schools in the country. Second, I felt like having another degree under my belt would make me stand out from the competition.
Is there anything you wish you would have known before becoming a new professional?
I should have started applying for jobs sooner than I did. Although I didn’t mind moving back with my parents right after graduation, there was a slight competition among my classmates to be the first to find a full-time job.