Double the HAPPO …

Continuing with the HAPPO trend today, let me introduce you to two more students — both of whom are graduating this spring and looking to join the PR industry.

Grad Seeks Organization Worth Believing In

by Gina Bericchia

When I came to Otterbein College I wanted to be a creative writer, even though I was not sure what that meant exactly. Then I wanted to work in fundraising and philanthropy. Then I wanted to start a career at a public relations agency and then in nonprofit communications. Next, I tried and loved corporate media relations. Then I became interested in using social media and blogging.

As a dynamic college student, I wanted to get a breadth of experience and had many different internships, freelance projects and jobs. Because of my wide range of experience, what I have wanted to do with my degree has changed many times. Each time I have another great internship experience, my career goal changes. But one thing has remained consistent: I want to work for people I like and an organization I believe in.

I am currently working on a freelance public relations project with my favorite professor and one of my best friends. Our project does not feel like work because I enjoy the people I am collaborating with. We feed off of each other when brainstorming and have a good sense of each of each other’s strengths and weaknesses. One thing I love is that although I am learning a lot from my professor, he is also not afraid to ask us, his students, questions in return. Having a sense of teamwork and unity helps us get more done together and will produce better results for our client. It is a great feeling to work for and with people you like.

I am attracted to industries like health care and higher education because I want to work for a company I believe in. When your organization is growing, helping others or providing a service your community needs, it makes work feel like less of career and more of a life’s work. Although I am no longer a health care media relations intern, I’ll catch myself saying, “We at Nationwide Children’s…” or “At Ohio State Medical Center we…” It is a great feeling to work at place where you can believe in the mission of your company.

I feel incredibly lucky to have had these experiences and I would love to continue to work for good people in an organization with a good cause. If you are seeking an entry-level employee eager to learn more and use her public relations, writing and social media skills to make a difference at your company, please connect with me on LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/in/GinaBericchia).

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Introducing Gene Aikins

Thanks for taking your time to read a little about me! I’m a motivated, curious and passionate writer moving into the professional world of public relations. After coming from a background in poverty with a father that paints to support a family of five, I have developed a great amount of passion to help others in hardship.

I moved into public relations as a sophomore at my university when I realized the great work professionals do in our field to keep the public informed by connecting to them. In this field, we have the opportunity to connect with individuals from organizations that would otherwise remain faceless. I completed an internship with the Mount Carmel Foundation that showed me how important it is for communicators in the nonprofit sector. Organizations like the Mount Carmel Health System are full of people that want to do good and have the manpower to make great strides in the community they serve. However, they need resources that will not come unless good communicators facilitate that need to those who have the resources to give. My internship at the Village of Canal Winchester, Ohio in community affairs has shown me the heart in which village workers serve thousands of people. The people at the village are filled with stories of coming from more lucrative positions to work in the government sector where they are happy knowing that they serve their community. Letting news organizations know of the events that workers of the village host through public relations writing has been an amazing opportunity.

I’m an Ohio Dominican University Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and Communications May 20010 graduate. Right now, I’m looking to move to Atlanta, Georgia with some friends. I’ve heard great stories of the city and how so much is going on around there. As a native of the north for almost 23 years, I am really looking forward to the opportunity to see the south and its legendary hospitality. I hope I can find a position where I utilize my skills in public relations and communications, as well as my passion to do good for others. You can find me at http://www.linkedin.com/in/geneaikins or follow me on Twitter @GeneAikins.