Posted on Dec 16, 2013
Public Affairs veterans, what career fields have you moved into and how has your military experience translated to your new career?
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I'm just looking for some feedback from fellow Public Affairs veterans on how the skills we learned have helped with your civilian careers. PA definitely has real-world applications such as corporate communications, public relations, and journalism. Let's hear some stories!
Civilian Career
Transition
Public Affairs
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 5
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I have worked in Strategic Communications and PR for a few years in pharma. The most important points for me are to remember to keep the big picture in mind when you communicate, and remember you're engaging with humans with emotions (not customers, stakeholders, clients or eyeballs).
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When I enlisted in the Army, I already had a bachelor's in journalism and had worked at small-town paper and for a bigger paper at home. I enlisted instead of going officer because I wanted to get more reporting experience, and planned on using the G.I. Bill to move to New York to get a master's in magazine writing, and write for a fashion magazine.
Last December I finished my master's in magazine writing. While I was in school I did internships at Scholastic's Math and Dynamath magazines and the military vertical of Business Insider--which is how I found out about Rally Point, since it was in its very, very early stages last fall. It was a paid internship, and I live in Queens, so I managed to save some money.
During the spring, while still looking for full-time work, I took an unpaid internship on the editorial side of a beauty retail website. Just when my savings was running out and I had to take a retail job (found on the IAVA career site), I responded to an ad for a magazine, and now I've been at Guideposts for six months.
I think my English lit minor, and the creative nonfiction angle of the master's program helped the most, as all of our stories are ghostwritten first-person. The foundation backing Guideposts has a very active military outreach, and I'm the token "young" Vet, so they ask for my opinion on a regular basis.
I'm really glad I wound up here.
Dillon-Say hello to Austin for me! I love New York, but the ATX will always have a special place in my heart.
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SGT Dillon Townsel
Allison,
Thanks for sharing! I love Austin, but I occasionally miss NY. It's great to hear that you found a career that keeps you engaged!
-Dillon
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I went on to write at five different newspapers to becoming Managing Editor of two. I've also worked a USCG contract (Public Affairs), and I currently serve as Military Outreach Coordinator for Stratford University's Va Beach, Newport News, and Glen Allen campuses. It's been a journey!
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