I’ve been interested in social media for as long as I can remember it existing. I was right on the edge of the first group of “YouTube Kids,” the group of people that helped skyrocket people like Bethany Mota and Shane Dawson to internet fame. This was really the first introduction of influencers, and instantly I was hooked. I remember the day I got Instagram and Twitter, and Facebook (in that order). A product of my generation, I watched influencer and digital marketing grow into what they are now firsthand.
As a political science major, I began to seek ways to connect my personal passion for politics and my interest in social media. This led me to a Nashville-based political consulting firm for 18 months during my sophomore and junior years of college. I learned a ton in that job and added social media management as a minor at Belmont University. I’ve pivoted away from the political sphere in recent months and am now trying my hand in the world of Digital Marketing for the music industry. I love the creativity and drive behind the entertainment industry and combining that with my knowledge and passion for helping people share their message through social media has been a dream.
A few months ago, my dad sent me an article titled “Social-Media Manager, the Most Millennial Job, Comes of Age,” it spurred a conversation that I will probably graduate and get a job that didn’t exist when I was born. This is one of the things that has always fascinated me about social media, something that is now considered an integral part of the marketing and PR strategy for every major brand that wasn’t even on their radar 20 years ago. We’ve gone from having to beg companies to open social media accounts to teams dedicated to staying on top of the latest trends for a chance to go viral. This is a fast-paced and ever-changing career and industry, and I can’t wait to see how it teaches and shapes me over my career.
As far as my aspirations, I have one: helping people share their messages through digital platforms. At my core, I am a people person. After 21 years of being a people person, I’ve learned that everyone has a story and a message they want to share with the world, and there are many, many people who aren’t comfortable or knowledgeable enough to do that. Social media breaks down all of those traditional barriers; anyone can have a platform and share a message. I hope that with my career in digital and whatever may come after, I can use my understanding of these platforms to help people share their message with the world. That is what fills me up. That is why I’m excited about the future of digital.
by Maddie Sebestyen
*This post was originally posted to Maddie’s personal blog which can be found here
At age 16 it hit me…public relations and social media were what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Fast forward to today, and in 39 days I will be graduating. The reality of that is hitting me and honestly, it’s a little nerve-wracking and freaking me out!
My introduction to public relations and social media as a career is a little different though. Like I said, I knew I wanted to do public relations when I was 16 and that is all due to one crazy night.
I had the amazing opportunity to sit on country singer Craig Campbell’s tour bus and meet the record publicist for my local area, Hilary Hoover. The three of us chatted for half an hour about anything and everything. After leaving that amazing experience, I knew public relations was my calling. Not only was Hilary able to work in country music but was also able to travel, two of my passions.
Soon after, I learned about Belmont University and how they have a well-known music business program. This program would give me the tools and experiences I needed to fulfill my dreams. So, in 2016, I toured Belmont and it felt like home.
Since being at Belmont, I have had so many amazing opportunities to help me grow in the public relations and social media industries.
Right before COVID-19 hit, I was able to intern at the all-female public relations firm Elicity PR. While being there I learned how to write a better press release, the importance of branding, and how starting a brand from the ground up will have its ups and down’s but the results of hard work will pay off and the rewards will be worth the struggles.
Then last year I interned at CreatiVets. A non-profit which helps veterans heal through music and the arts. The Nashville location helps pair veterans with songwriters who then help put their stories into songs and help with healing. The process and amazing work that goes into this non-profit is so humbling and moving. While interning at CreatiVets, I worked on the TikTok, Instagram and Twitter accounts, and even wrote press releases about the veteran’s songs that were being released. I was also able to reach out to news outlets and other networks to see if they would publish the press release. This internship was not only a great learning experience, but I also had so much fun while doing so.
As graduation is right around the corner, I know I want to still do public relations and social media for musicians. Whether that is in a large record label or a small PR firm, I know that both experiences will allow me to grow as a publicist and gain many experiences that allow me to become better in the public relations and social media world. Life works in crazy ways, and I am so glad I was able to sit on that tour bus with Mr. Campbell and Ms. Hoover 5 years ago.
by Shaina Paris
*This post was originally posted to Shaina’s personal blog which can be found here
Our students are one piece of what makes PR at Belmont special. Throughout the semester, we will be featuring our students as they share “Why PR?” and more.
Name: Morgan Wood
Major & Minor: Public Relations/Social Media Management
Why PR? I enjoy helping other people reach their goals and potential.
Favorite memory or favorite thing about PR at Belmont?
I loved my time in TCC sophomore year because I was able to contribute to community culture.
Career aspirations or goals
I love planning events and hope to work in the event industry after graduation.
Hobbies, fun facts, or anything else that would be cool to know about you!
I am also pursuing personal training as a side hustle/passion.
Going into my freshman year of college at the University of Tennessee Knoxville (UTK), I had zero inclination towards what I wanted to do with my life. I was in the top 11% of my class in high school, participated in varsity track and cross country for all four years, and worked at Panera along with babysitting several weekdays. I had my life “figured out” in all areas except college. I enjoyed all subjects in high school but there were none that stuck out to me as one that could be the gateway to my future. As orientation for UTK approached, I had to declare a major. I decided on business, but after attending an information session on the College of Business, I quickly realized that was not my forte. I did a complete 180 and declared my major as kinesiology.
After my freshman year, and receiving a B in Chemistry 100, I knew I did not want to pursue anything in the field of science. In Summer 2019, I started an Instagram account called “Skincareglowblog.” For years, I had been passionate about skincare, makeup and beauty in general, so I decided to create an account to showcase my favorite products and provide tips and tricks to my followers. I did not anticipate anything to come out of this account, but after posting consistently for a few months, several brands reached out to me about collaboration opportunities. At the time, I did not know that there was a whole field of work dedicated to forming relationships and reaching out to influencers. However, one day my good friend, Kate, was telling me how she loved her major, public relations. She told me about the general premise of public relations, and I was hooked! It seemed right up my alley and something that I could foresee myself doing in the future.
Fast forward to today, I now have an internship at Judith Bright, a custom jewelry designer, as their Social Media Manager Intern. It is such a joy working there and learning more about what it takes to market a brand on social media. I have completed nearly all of the requirements for a degree in public relations, and I have loved every class I have taken in the PR department. Each professor genuinely cares about your success and education, and they are constantly checking in with new job or internship opportunities. I believe that public relations is the perfect fit for me, and I want to encourage others who may be uncertain about their major to take a step back and reflect on what they are truly passionate about. For me, skincare and beauty is and has been my passion for years. It has been such an amazing experience figuring out how to intertwine my passion with a major that I could use to fulfill it.
Here are 4 key tips to help determine what major will be best for you:
Write down 5-10 ideas or activities you are passionate about. Go through the list and add possible careers that could correlate with each passion. Find the correlating major for each career.
Make a pro and con list for each possible major. This is a great way to visualize what aspects would make you happy or not in the future. Determine which cons you could tolerate and which pros outweigh the others.
Talk to professors that teach courses in the major you are interested in. They can give you a deeper insight into how a particular major could play out in the future.
If you are in between 2-3 majors, take elective courses in each of the majors. This will give you a better understanding of the expectations of each major.
Our students are one piece of what makes PR at Belmont special. Throughout the semester, we will be featuring our students as they share “Why PR?” and more.
Name: Emma dela Pena
Major & Minor: Public Relations Major, Dance and Corporate Communications Minor
Why PR?
I chose PR because of a BuzzFeed quiz when I was trying to figure out what to major in, but it quickly turned into a passion of mine. I love hospitality PR and getting to work with people who love to present people with an experience through food, events, travel, etc. I enjoy writing for social media, media outlets, and organizations. I also love collaborating with clients and people to help tell a story.
Favorite memory or favorite thing about PR at Belmont?
PR Writing II’s debate project with Leah Kuhn and Carrie Neville was one of my most favorite classes! I loved working with a group that was so collaborative and on top of the game. It was also so unique and such a cool experience to create pieces alongside such a monumental event at Belmont.
Career aspirations or goals
I hope to work in the hospitality PR industry or for a fashion magazine in New York City. I love events and hope to incorporate both my passion for writing and experiences into my future career goals.
Hobbies, fun facts, or anything else that would be cool to know about you!
I’ve danced since I was 5 years old and am a Dance minor at Belmont. I’m currently doing Belmont East in NYC and interning at Bullfrog + Baum. I’ve interned at Belmont’s Office of Communications and MP&F Strategic Communications in Nashville.
In case you haven’t already had the chance to meet her, we want to introduce you to PR @ Belmont’s newest faculty member, Trenay Perry Bynum. Professor Bynum is teaching two sections of First Year Seminar and two sections of Public Relations Principles during the Fall 2021 semester.
Education
Liberty University, Ph.D., Strategic Media – expected completion, 2023
Cumberland University, MSP, Public Service Management
Tennessee State University, BS, Mass Communications
Why PR?
During my junior year at Tennessee State University, I took a public relations course and enjoyed the variety of ways it could be applied to strategic communications. I purchased a textbook and spent the summer before my senior year studying. For my senior project, I pitched a public relations campaign to the honor society’s professor to increase awareness of the honor society and its end-of-the-year event. Surprisingly, the 13-year-old who sang Whitney Houston’s Greatest Love of All grew up to become Monica, a well-known R&B performer. When interviewing for jobs after college, I used the campaign as a writing sample, which helped me land my first writing job at Meharry Medical College. I landed a PR manager position with the Nashville Symphony 10 years later. Though my 30-year career in strategic communications has included various tactics, including event planning, marketing, collateral development, and social media, public relations has remained a favorite due to its connection to media relations.
What brought you to Belmont?
Belmont University is incredible! However, I was unaware of this until I became more exposed to its mission during my orientation. I enrolled in a doctoral program in strategic media in 2020 with the goal of teaching at a university as my encore career. Naturally, I thought my desire to teach would lead me back to my alma mater. Dr. Kevin Trowbridge, on the other hand, saw my pure enthusiasm for entering this field and opened the door. During my interview with him, I witnessed his passion for Belmont and his profession, which convinced me that this would be the right fit for me.
Something you want students to know:
Public relations techniques can be applied to personal/student branding (what I call Real Life Branding), as it is never too early to position oneself for their dream job. Stop scrolling and start creating on your favorite social media channel!
Personal Life:
I’m from Los Angeles and married to Quinton, who is from Memphis. Our daughter attends Hume Fogg, Nashville’s first public school founded in 1912. We live with two fur babies – Wyatt the Bulldog and Oliver the cat.
Our students are one piece of what makes PR at Belmont special. Throughout the semester, we will be featuring our students as they share “Why PR?” and more.
Name: Katie Harris
Major & Minor: Public Relations/ Sports Admin
Why PR?
I always knew I wanted to do something creative, but I wasn’t sure exactly what I could do that was still practical. I took my first PR intro class after transferring to Belmont, and I loved it! I love being able to work in a creative field that still is left-brain enough for me – I’m super analytical and type A, but still love having fun with creating a brand’s story.
Favorite memory or favorite thing about PR at Belmont?
The community is amazing! I love the feeling of going into the first day of class and seeing people I know and recognize in the class. Plus, all the professors are always ready and willing to help.
Career aspirations or goals
Honestly, I’m not sure yet… I think I’d like to work for an agency after I graduate in December just to get a feel for all different types of communications. I’d love to work in sports since I’m a huge sports fan, but who knows!
Hobbies, fun facts, or anything else that would be cool to know about you!
I am a huge book nerd and a Mexican food connoisseur (if you ever need recommendations, HMU). I am a dog lover and the biggest Titans fan out there!
Our students are one piece of what makes PR at Belmont special. Throughout the semester, we will be featuring our students as they share “Why PR?” and more.
Name: Julie Fenske
Major & Minor: PR Major and Dance Minor
Why PR?
My mom suggested I major in PR, and I was excited that Belmont offered a PR-specific program. Organizing and strategizing are skills I’ve always excelled in and have enjoyed. I wanted to get involved with events and be in a major where I could also write and be creative. PR really casts a wide net, and a lot of my varying interests are incorporated in the PR world.
Favorite memory or favorite thing about PR at Belmont?
I love that the program is small enough where I can still meet new people but know most of the students in my classes. I think the PR program is a nice community because of this, and I’ve gotten connected to the larger Belmont community because of it.
Career aspirations or goals
I haven’t figured out specifics, but I’d love to work in the entertainment industry in some capacity for PR. I’m interested in publicity, events, and unit publicity as possible future jobs, but who knows where I’ll end up!
Hobbies, fun facts, or anything else that would be cool to know about you!
Since we all love writing, as a side project, some of my friends and I started a bimonthly newsletter called Suburban Elitist, where we contribute pieces on pop culture and college life. It’s become such a fun hobby and a place to put my more creative writing skills! I also got the chance to study abroad twice through Belmont. In Summer 2019 I completed my language credits in Angers, France, and in Spring 2021 I spent a semester in Florence, Italy! I really encourage any new students to take advantage of the great opportunities Belmont offers in regard to studying abroad.
What does Be Belmont Day 2021 look like? What can students and families expect when they come to campus for that event?
Be Belmont Day is an admissions event put on each year that focuses on welcoming our newly admitted students to the Bruin family. This event is the perfect opportunity for students to learn more about life at Belmont and the unique opportunities the university provides to its students. What can you expect at the event? Members of Belmont’s admission team, students, faculty, staff and alumni ready to give you an unforgettable day getting to know Belmont!
What’s your best advice for any prospective PR students that might read this post?
My best piece of advice for prospective PR students is to talk to a professor and learn about the different opportunities to get involved in the program. The faculty in the PR program are wonderful and love to connect students with hands-on opportunities as early as your first semester.
What was the most meaningful and beneficial part of your undergraduate experience at Belmont, and why have you chosen to return as a staff member?
The most beneficial experience I had as a Belmont undergrad was being a part of the Bateman Case Study Competition. This competition gives students from across the country the opportunity to work with a national client to create a full public relations campaign. During my campaign, I worked with a team of five students to meet the communication needs of our client, With Purpose. With Purpose is a nonprofit organization that focuses on increasing funds for childhood cancer research through youth empowerment. This experience helped me to grow tremendously on a professional level but it also showcased the amazing power that Belmont has to rally around a cause. I chose to come back to Belmont as a staff member because of my passion for the university and the unique opportunities it provides to its students. I also love working with prospective students in guiding them in the college search process.
How would you explain the difference between a public relations degree and other similar programs Belmont offers?
The public relations degree specifically focuses on external communication. This degree prepares you to tell the story of your organization or client to the public. Similar degrees are going to focus more on internal or advocacy communication.
Chelsea Lomartire is the Admissions Coordinator for the College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences and School of Education. In her role, Lomartire guides prospective students interested in these colleges throughout the admissions process.
As a Belmont alumna, she has seen firsthand how the university inspires students to achieve their greatest ambitions. Lomartire is a firm believer in the power of creativity and immersive discovery that allows students to develop their own story. At Belmont, students have the unique ability to tap into both of these areas as they engage with faculty and students. Lomartire is passionate about helping these students as they navigate their journey towards finding what sparks their imagination and inspires them to accomplish their dreams.
To learn more about Be Belmont Day 2021, click here.
First off, I want to say a huge thank you to Belmont University for equipping me to navigate the rather tumultuous waters of publishing with dexterity and grace. If not for professors like Richard Sowienski and Dr. Christie Kleinmann who presented opportunities, encouraged, and cheered me along, I don’t think I would be where I am today.
What has your path as an author looked like to get you to where you are today?
Stories have been my passion for as long as I can remember. Before I could pen a word, I told my mom stories. She wrote them down for me, and I illustrated the little books. Fast forward a few years, I became an imaginative child who played make-believe and breathed fiction like air. I suppose it was only a matter of time before writing found me.
I devoured books throughout elementary and middle school. The bigger, the better. During middle school, I experienced bullying and used writing as an escape. I got my start penning fanfiction for a teen writing website. After a few months, I had over sixty thousand weekly readers. The kicker: I was the main character of my fanfiction.
Hence my wild popularity in middle school.
I showed my work to my English teacher Mrs. Capers, and she encouraged me to write an original novel. (She ended up teaching my high school classes as well. To this day, we are best friends. She reads all my manuscripts, and she also makes cameos in my novels.)
Between eighth and ninth grade, I wrote my first novel. It sucked, but I wrote a second, then a third. I set the goal of being published by age sixteen. Granted, I knew nothing about publishing. I figured I’d release a book, get rich and famous.
Oh, the beauty of ignorance.
Literary agents said I was too young to have an author career, which motivated me to pursue self-publishing. At the time, eBooks were new to the literary scene. Amazon hadn’t launched their print-on-demand services yet. (Wow, this ages me.) I downloaded my very first eBook onto my Dad’s iPad, titled eBooks for Dummies.
Imagine a montage of a fourteen/fifteen-year-old girl trying to learn how to publish a book.
I self-published my first book twenty-five days before my sixteenth birthday. A year later, I released the sequel.
After I graduated high school, I pitched a novel to agents in New York City, then began the querying process. I signed with an agent during my freshman year at Belmont University, and my book The Vestige released from a small press two years later.
My time at Belmont prepared me to take next steps in my career. I majored in Publishing and Public Relations because I figured if I knew how to sell something, I could sell anything. Thanks to Professor Sowienski, I was the first intern at Thomas Nelson, Harper Collins. I also interned with BookGrabbr, The Dunham Group, and Hillsong Publishing in Sydney, Australia.
I could go on and on about the incredible opportunities Belmont gave me.
Following graduation and some hardships, I decided to jump headfirst into pursuing an author career. I worked as a literary agent and conference speaker for two years while writing book after book, getting rejection after rejection.
A few sentences cannot summarize the difficulty, stress, and growth of that season.
I signed a three-book contract with Thomas Nelson, Harper Collins in September of 2019.
February 2021, my YA romance Dearest Josephine hit shelves across the globe, named number one “Most Anticipated YA Release” by PopSugar.
Yes, I might’ve fallen out of my chair when my publicist sent me the news.
My next book The Summer We Forgot releases November 2021.
Like many things in life, an author career doesn’t have a finish line. I am no “happier” now than I was as an imaginative kid drawing stick figure pictures in her little book. I still have goals, dreams, milestones I hope to reach.
We must love the process as much, maybe even more, than the destination.
How did your time studying public relations at Belmont set you up for success in your writing career?
Most of what I do as an author involves public relations. Writers write. Authors write, develop brands, organize release campaigns, manage relations with readers, stores, libraries, etcetera. I use the PR knowledge I gained from Belmont daily, and I believe my education gives me an edge in the industry. At least, my publishing team seems to appreciate it.
I’m so grateful to Belmont’s PR department for teaching me how to present myself to media, think strategically, among countless other things. I’ll always be a BU PR girl!
To the aspiring authors reading this, study public relations.
What has your newest novel, Dearest Josephine, taught you about both yourself and the publishing industry?
I’ll keep my response to this question short and simple even though I could write a novella on the subject. Prior to Dearest Josephine, I wrote for myself. I relied on my own emotions to motivate my writing. With Dearest Josephine came deadlines and new pressures. I learned to rely on my knowledge of the craft and write because I knew how to write and tell stories. This gave me tremendous freedom.
I believe Dearest Josephine taught me what it means to be an author.
What advice do you have for students pursuing a career in any creative industry?
–Intern as much as possible! Connections and experience are invaluable.
–Practice, practice, practice. Learn from your errors, and never stop creating.
–Educate yourself about the industry. Being a great artist will only take you so far. You also need to be a great businessperson.
– Tenacity beats talent. Don’t give up too early!
What are three books every Belmont student should read before they graduate?
Just read. This may seem a lame response, but a mentor once told me “The moment you think you know everything is the moment you become irrelevant.” So, pick up a book. Learn. Soak in the words. Reading develops vocabulary, information retention, communication skills . . .
The list goes on.
Caroline George is the multi-award-winning author of Dearest Josephine (HarperCollins) and other YA fiction titles. She graduated from Belmont University with a degree in publishing and public relations, and now travels the country, speaking at conferences and writing full-time. A Georgia native, Caroline aspires to one day host The Great British Baking Show and delights in being best known for writing the phrase, “Coffee first. Save the world later.” Find her on Instagram @authorcarolinegeorge and Twitter @CarolineGeorge_.
