About
Courtney Tobin
Courtney Tobin is the Lead Director of Communications at CVS Health, where she supports pharmacy labor relations and store-colleague communications. A 2008 graduate of Ohio University’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, Courtney majored in journalism with a public relations focus and specialized in sociology and business. During her time in Athens, she dove into PRSSA and ImPRessions, eventually serving as CEO of the student-run firm. Her early career included a stint in London, where she freelanced and traveled extensively, followed by agency work in Columbus. She then spent over a decade at Cardinal Health in marketing and communications before joining CVS Health in 2022.
Samantha Parsons
Samantha Parsons is the Director of Marketing Communications Enablement at Cardinal Health, where she leads a team within the company’s internal marketing agency focused on content development and lead generation. She graduated from Ohio University in 2007 with a degree in Organizational Communication and a specialization in Public Relations. Samantha began her career at Abercrombie & Fitch in corporate communications before transitioning to the healthcare space in 2012. Since then, she’s taken on a wide range of roles at Cardinal Health, evolving from pure communications into business-embedded marketing strategy. Outside of work, Samantha’s writing on motherhood has been featured in Motherly and Scary Mommy, reflecting her voice as both a communicator and parent.
Key Takeaways
Career, Connection and Friendship
Courtney Tobin and Samantha Parsons are both OU alumni and proud moms who became close friends at Cardinal Health. Courtney graduated in 2008 with a journalism and PR degree. Samantha, class of 2007, studied organizational communication. Though they took different paths, both built meaningful careers in marketing and communications.
Finding the Right Fit
Samantha began at Abercrombie & Fitch but moved to Cardinal Health for a better culture fit. She rose through the company to become senior director of marketing communications. Courtney started her career in London, then worked at an agency before joining Cardinal Health and later CVS. She moved into internal communications and now supports thousands of store employees.
Intentional Career Growth
They both spoke about making purposeful decisions rather than waiting for opportunities to appear. Courtney encouraged students to take lateral career moves when they want to learn something new or try a different role.
Preparing for Interviews
Know your strengths and how you want to present yourself. Research the company and ask thoughtful questions. During interviews, find ways to share your key experiences, even if the questions don’t directly ask for them. Always ask if the interviewer has any concerns about your fit for the role.
Landing the Interview
Networking matters. Reach out to people who work where you want to be. Instead of cold messages, write something personal that shows genuine interest. Coffee chats can open doors. Relationship building continues throughout your career, not just when you’re starting out.
Succeeding Once You’re Hired
Be curious. Ask why things are done a certain way. One of Courtney’s managers taught her how valuable good questions can be. Look for “stretch projects” or tasks your boss dislikes—taking initiative builds trust and gives you exposure.
Mentors and Sponsors
Mentors share advice. Sponsors go further by recommending you for jobs and projects. Building both types of relationships can help move your career forward. Take advantage of formal mentorship programs when available.
What People Get Wrong About PR and Marketing
Not every communications job is about social media. Not everyone in the field is an extrovert. Many roles focus on writing, strategy and problem-solving. Most teams don’t have large budgets, so creativity needs to align with business goals.
Understanding Your Audience
Strategy works best when paired with empathy. Their RNspire campaign at Cardinal Health showed how to reach nurses with content that felt personal and meaningful. Good communication starts with knowing who you’re talking to and what matters to them.
Staying Informed
Keep learning. Read news outlets like Morning Brew and attend professional events. Companies often have funding for conferences or training. Ask for support when you need it.
What You Can Do Now
- This week: Send a personalized LinkedIn message to someone new.
- This month: Choose a core value that matters to you.
- This quarter: Make a list of people or organizations that align with that value.
Advice for Seniors
Don’t stress if your first job isn’t perfect; it can be a stepping stone or a surprise path to something better. Focus on what feels right for you, not what you think you’re supposed to do.
Connect with Courtney and Samantha on LinkedIn!
Henry Gorsuch is a Journalism Strategic Communications major with a minor in Marketing and can be found on LinkedIn here.