Detroit Alumni Panel

“Detroit loves the Lakers” is a reassuring phrase that is being thrown around a lot as our Ad/PR program continues to push students past their limits. It held true last night when GVSU alumna Megan Peterson visited the PRSSA. “Always have an open mind to relocate. Never limit yourself. Just put yourself out there,” said Peterson, which set the tone for the rest of the evening.  

Peterson works for MCCI, an integrated marketing communications firm in Detroit. The PRSSA general assembly was given the opportunity to pick her brain on life after college and what she may have done differently with her time as a student at Grand Valley.

Working at a firm that integrates public & media relations, social media, video, web & digital, and marketing & advertising, Peterson expressed that the greatest part of agency life is that every day is a little bit different. “I feel like I’m learning every single day,” she said.

She also touched on the worst part: time management. “It’s really hard to figure out what’s priority and what is actually a deadline.” Some days she wishes she had 10 more hours just to do a little more research or one more blog post. “It’s better to understand multiple stories and messages that companies craft for their public. It is challenging, but super fulfilling and interesting,” she said.

Peterson continued with what aspiring PR pros should be doing right now. Use all of your resources in college to gain insight – professors, mentors, and councilors.  She also recommended shadowing, even if you cold-call and just show up to an agency one day. She also gave a shout out to an awesome firm, no bias intended: “I definitely think that being a part of GrandPR is a good idea.”

As a former staff member, Peterson explained that networking among your peers is very important – you never know who others know. She also believes that GrandPR taught her to have the mindset of open communication lines, and how crucial it is. Even if it’s just a simple e-mail to the client letting them know what’s going on, being responsible and holding yourself accountable brings more to the "real world" than you may realize.

Peterson went on to explain the benefits of moving to a new place and living alone (well, besides her cat). “Personally, I feel like I’ve done a lot more growing in the past 2.5 years than I have my whole life,” said Peterson. "In college, you’re constantly socializing and surrounded by your peers. It’s really important to figure out how to have a social life post-college, outside of your career and office."

 Peterson left us with: “Anything is worth just trying for a year because we’re young and why not.”

Perhaps one day soon, the Lakers really will take over Detroit.

Lindsay Papciak is a senior at Grand Valley majoring in advertising and public relations and minoring in psychology.  As GrandPR’s media director, she has the privilege of maintaining and editing the firm’s blog and social media accounts.
Lindsay currently interns at 834 Design & Marketing and serves as the Vice President of the Grand Valley Dance Troupe.  In her spare time, she can be found swinging in her hammock, watching way too many YouTube videos, or cooking something spicy and delicious.