Didn’t Make It To The “Careers in Public Relations” Alumni Panel? Here’s What You Missed!

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By Liliana Cifuentes

If you missed the alumni panel the Department of Communication and the UAlbany Alumni Association hosted on Tuesday, February 28, don’t worry! This post is a one-stop need-to-know recap of what was covered.

At this virtual event, students and faculty members had the pleasure to learn from four UAlbany alumni who have made waves in the PR industry shortly after they earned their degrees. 

From operating communications management for luxury retail brands to overseeing communications at leading online dating companies, the four panelists had lots to share regarding their experience and how UAlbany helped get them there. Here’s what you missed!
 

About the Panelists

 

 

Dhani Hoyte '17

Dhani Hoyte is an Account Supervisor at Peppercomm, a communications and marketing firm that specializes in strategic branding, content creation, and crisis management. 

Her day-to-day itinerary mainly involves managing the team she works and coordinates with to ensure everything is running smoothly. 

She received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication at UAlbany where she was also the treasurer and public relations chair of Communication Studies Honor Society Lambda Pi Eta. 

She went on to receive her Master’s degree in Media Management at the New School. You can connect with her via LinkedIn.


Michael Kaye '14

Michael Kaye is the current Head of Global Communications at OKCupid, a U.S. based online dating and friendship app that matches users to potential perfect matches. 

In this role, his main responsibilities include overseeing all public relations programming and coming up with new and innovative marketing strategies. He is also an adjunct professor at New York University and on the board for the Human Rights Campaign. 

He graduated from UAlbany with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication and graduated cum laude with his Master’s degree from American University in Strategic Communication. You can connect with him via LinkedIn.


Diamond Anglin '16

Diamond Anglin is the Communications Manager at EssilorLuxottica, an eyewear conglomerate that designs lenses, glasses, and other ophthalmic equipment for brands, including but not limited to Ray-Ban, Dolce & Gabbana, and Michael Kors. EssilorLuxottica has also sponsored events like Coachella. 

Her days always vary. On some days, she is tasked with strengthening brand partnerships and collaborating with fellow team members. On other days, she manages conversations within three different time zones and takes the time to catch up with industry news. 

Anglin graduated from UAlbany with her Bachelor’s degree in Communication. You can connect with her via LinkedIn.


Christina Klepper '12 / '14 

Christina Klepper is both a Marketing Associate and the Vice President of VIOS Advisors at Rockefeller Capital Management, a financial advisory firm. 

A lot of the work she does includes ensuring that clients are properly set for long-term benefits based on current financial statuses. She also helps spearhead public relations efforts and coordinate events. 

She received both her Bachelor’s degrees in Communication, Public Health, and Business and her Master’s degree in Organizational Communication at UAlbany. You can connect with her via LinkedIn.
 

Main Takeaways

#1: Opportunities

The panelists all noted that the opportunities made available by UAlbany were pivotal and a huge contributor to the experience they acquired prior to holding their current positions. Here are some suggestions the panelists shared.

  • Take frequent trips to the Career Center where you can get professional assistance with polishing your resume and writing your cover letter. 
  • Pay attention to emails sent by the Department of Communications (specifically Professor Bill Husson!) for internship opportunities and apply to all, even if you don’t think you may be the best candidate. You never know!
  • Don’t limit yourself just to internships and job opportunities in Albany. You can connect with / contact internship coordinators within the Department to help you look for internships closer to home.
  • Take advantage of any writing you can do on campus (e.g., taking writing-related courses, freelancing at the Albany Student Press)
     

#2: Keep up with Industry News and Trends 

No matter what, take the time to read industry news and updates on a daily basis.

  • It’s important to be active on social media platforms and scroll through your feed on a consistent basis.
  • Staying informed can often turn into an opportunity to improve upon the company you work for.
     

#3: Challenges 

Despite the fun aspects of working in the communications’ field, challenges still exist.

  • When working with newer employees or employees with varying skillsets, it can often be difficult to adjust.
  • In many instances, you’ll find yourself explaining to others what communication consists of (many people don’t understand how much work goes into this kind of work).
  • Having a communications-related career can find itself to be mentally and physically draining / frustrating sometimes.
     

#4: Innovations and Future Prospects

Artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t completely taking over, but has begun to play a big role in communications-related careers.

  • AI can save lots of time and take pressure off employees. It should be interpreted as an asset instead of something to fear.
  • AI can give your brand the boost in the direction it needs to go (e.g., OkCupid testing ChatGPT’s efficiency in creating potential match questions).
  • However, AI should not be solely relied on for everything. Some companies have detected ChatGPT in applications / emails and deny applicants for not producing original content.
     

#5: Other Advice

The panelists shared a number of other very helpful and practical tips on how to get started.  

  • Befriend journalists.
  • Keep in touch with your professors.
  • Cater to the professional aspect of your college career just as much as you cater to the social aspect.
  • There’s no reason to not be networking. This can go beyond interacting with people face-to-face - connect with professionals on LinkedIn and other social media sites, initiate a conversation, and ask for 15 minutes of their time to talk.
  • When promoting your brand to others, tie the conversation back to “key product differentiators” that set your brand apart from others.
  • You are also a brand. Represent yourself in the same way you represent your clients.
  • While any higher education looks good on a resume, it isn’t make-or-break in finding a good job. 
     

To Conclude…

It is okay if you have not fully decided to pursue a career in Public Relations. But, the insights and wisdom shared by the alumni panelists definitely assist you with any dilemmas you may run into along the way. If this recap finds you wanting to watch the panel in its entirety, we strongly encourage you to do so below!