This week, our chapter was visited by an OU alumna and former Scripps PRSSA chapter President, Brigitte Meisse (‘19). Brigitte double majored in Journalism-Strategic Communications and Communication Studies during her time here in Athens. After completing her internships and part-time positions with University College, WMFD TV-Mansfield and MediaSource during her time at Ohio University, Brigitte moved on to her first full-time position as a Marketing and Sales Manager for Feld Entertainment. In her position, Brigitte managed ticket sales in five major cities across the country, but her time with Feld Entertainment was sadly cut short by COVID. But after the darkness came light, and Brigitte landed her role at Northrop Grumman as a Communications Lead in Civil Space and Sciences. Brigitte described her role at Northrop Grumman, a Fortune 100 space and aeronautics defense company, within three major responsibilities: advocacy and government communications, translating advanced topics like engineering terminology into everyday jargon and inspiring humanity. Brigitte highlighted how important her position is to connecting the public and the younger generation to a company that has the potential to bring such remarkable changes to the future of the United States and space exploration. Importantly, Brigitte noted that, “all of these opportunities came to me because of connections I made at OU and throughout PRSSA.” After providing insight into what a communications-focused career can look like in the world of STEM, Brigitte provided advice to members of our chapter, which is listed below.
Brigitte’s Advice:
- “Show up and say yes.” – Brigitte emphasized that to be found by professionals, you have to be willing to make your interest known and show up where opportunities lie.
- “Be strategic. Think beyond the ask.”
- “Use rejection as redirection.”
- “Do not limit yourself.”
- “Invest in your network.”
- “Master the skills that can be applied everywhere.”
- “Get a hobby.” – Brigitte reminded us all that life can’t just be going to work and going home postgrad. Brigitte encouraged us all to pick a hobby now so that it’ll stick after graduation.
- “Determine your priorities.”
- “Soak up every minute in Athens.”
- “Take care of yourself first.” – At the end of her presentation, Brigitte mentioned how it’s ok to let yourself just relax and prioritize fun even when the semester is in full swing. Brigitte specifically reflected on how she allowed herself to miss just one class on the first warm day of the spring semester, her senior year, because she knew that time with her friends on College Green was time she would never get back.
Ella Neighborgall is a second-year student studying advertising, communications and PR at Ohio University and can be found on LinkedIn here.