At George Mason, I wear many hats. I am an Employer Engagement Consultant with Career Services, a proud alumnus of the College of Education and Human Development's Counseling and Development program, and a PhD student in the Department of Communication. On October 27th, I attended the annual Communication Career Forum, hosted by Mason COMM and the Insight Committee, and for one afternoon, all three of those identities sat at the same table.
Where it started
My history with the Forum goes back to 2017, when I joined Mason as an Industry Advisor in Career Services. Media, arts, and design were among my industries, so I came to support the department, meet employers, and listen to students. Those conversations sharpened my career advice and my understanding of the world of work. I began my PhD in 2022, and this fall marked my second Forum as a doctoral student.
As an Employer Engagement Consultant
Today, I partner with employers in media, design, hospitality, and technology and engineering. I attended three sessions: broadcast journalism, advocacy communications, and social media strategy. I left with pages of notes for my employer conversations.
While I no longer meet with students in my day-to-day role, I still serve them as a faculty advisor to the GMU NAACP, Collegiate Black Men, the Iota Alpha Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, and the Podcast Club at George Mason.
As a Mason alumnus
It was a joy to hear fellow alumni share their Mason journeys and give back as mentors. As president of the CEHD Alumni Chapter, my mind was already spinning with ways to connect these professionals with education students who may one day work in media. Skills build careers, not degrees alone.
As a PhD student
During the Advocacy Communications session, I asked how to navigate moments when personal identity conflicts with an organization's positions. The panelists answered with honesty: it is a personal decision, rooted in your values and the change you can make from within. Conversations like that connect what I study to the career waiting for me after graduation, and I found them invigorating.
Key takeaways from each session
Each session I attended offered practical advice any student or early-career professional can use right away.
Broadcast and Digital/Print Journalism
Phylicia Ashley (ABC7 News), Manuela Silva (NOTUS), and facilitator Marcella Robertson (WUSA9) shared how they broke into the field.
- Start broad. Internships, varied assignments, and wide job applications open early doors.
- Build your samples now. A reel or clips from class and student media show employers what you can do.
- Learn vertical video. Social and vertical video are now part of daily reporting, especially for breaking news.
- Treat people well. Your reputation and relationships follow you from one newsroom to the next.
Advocacy Communications
Dave Christman (National Beer Wholesalers Association), Brendan Jones (former CEO, Blink Charging), Susana Castillo (Executive Office of the Mayor, District of Columbia), and facilitator Patrick Delaney (Walmart Inc.) discussed balancing personal values with professional roles.
- Think before you post. Public posts shape how employers see your judgment, so learn your employer's social media policy.
- Choose employers by values. Ask whether a disagreement is a single decision or a sign of the organization's core values.
- Look at who leads. Review representation at entry, middle, and executive levels, and lean on mentors, networks, and allies.
Strategic Use of Social Media & Influencer Marketing
Marissa Joyce (Mason's College of Humanities and Social Sciences), Melissa Judy (VDOT Northern Virginia), Kyley Sitton (The Washington Post), and facilitator Julie Murphy (Sage Communications) focused on proving your impact.
- Track your results. Keep a spreadsheet of every post you create for an organization so you can show what you delivered.
- Aim for "edu-tainment," a balance of education and entertainment.
- Build a portfolio. Canva offers free templates for social media demo reels and media kits, and Gondola lets you track and share your social media influence with organizations.
Belonging since day one
The Communication faculty and staff welcomed me as a colleague in 2017, long before I enrolled. Now that I am both colleague and student, that support feels even stronger. The department cares about students holistically, and you can see it in how many alumni return to share their expertise, a testament to the community it has built.
The Forum reminded me why I love George Mason. One day, I hope to return as an alumnus of this program and share with pride how the Department of Communication helped me achieve my dream of earning a doctorate.