Bethany Doty ’10 Steps into the PR World in St. Louis

03/04/2011 9:49 AM

By Bethany Doty ’10

After 16 years of school, countless hours spent in class, and numerous life changes, I have recently made my biggest transition. My educational experience in the classroom has come to an end, but I have entered a new period of growth and learning. I no longer sit in a classroom frantically taking notes as the professor lectures. This has been replaced by hours in an office spent preparing work for clients. Late nights in the library cramming for exams with the help of coffee are now replaced by early bedtimes and a morning cup of coffee.

Change can often make an individual feel uncertain about what is next. Fortunately, I have never felt so prepared for my “next step.”  The transition to the real world has been a smooth process and I credit this to my experience at Bradley University.

My life after Bradley finds me in downtown St. Louis as a post-grad intern at Fleishman-Hillard.  In an uncertain economy, a job offer is not taken for granted. I am so grateful for the opportunity to work alongside some of the best public relations professionals in the world at a globally renowned firm.

In the middle of January I left sweet home Chicago for life in St. Louis. I have a strong tie to Chicago, but life in St. Louis is showing me there are opportunities out there if you put forth the effort to look.

I am an intern in the Public Affairs group at Fleishman-Hillard where I have been able to jump into a variety of projects for many different clients. My first month as an intern has been busy. The days fly by as I move from project to project. By the time 5:00 p.m. rolls around, it feels like I have only been in the office for an hour. I feel well prepared to complete the project work, which is a direct reflection on my educational experience at Bradley. My communications classes and the many projects associated with PR allowed me to gain valuable real-world experience before entering the working environment. I am so thankful to have been taught at a university that challenged me and pushed me to produce my best work all the time.

I know this is just the beginning and I have so much more to learn. I am excited to see the growth I will experience in the next few months at Fleishman. It is a privilege to work with individuals who are extremely talented and are excellent role models for the next generation of communicators. There is not a doubt in my mind that Bradley was the right school for me. I am truly blessed to have this opportunity in my life. Each day presents a chance to learn and grow.