Melissa Hirner PC 09
It’s hard to believe that three years have passed since
Omicron’s PC 2009 became Alpha Phi alumnae and graduated from Mizzou.
Two days after graduation, I
started as an intern in the brand marketing practice at FleishmanHillard – one
of the world’s largest public relations firms headquartered in St. Louis. I had
shadowed at the agency’s London office while interning in the UK and after
learning about the caliber of their clients and campaigns, knew it was the type
of place where I’d like to start my career. After completing their summer
internship program, I joined the agency full time and have now been there for
three years. Time flies!
My clients are international
brands in the food and fashion industries – and we help them communicate with a
variety of audiences through social media, press appearances, event activations
and more. From SXSW and the Super Bowl to Vogue and good ‘ole trending
hashtags… we work to generate positive buzz that will get consumers engaged
with our clients’ products.
I love the fast-paced nature of
agency life – there’s never a dull moment. In a typical day, I might be partnering
with influential fashion Instagrammers, writing social content for a major
restaurant chain, or planning a media event in Manhattan. It’s fun to be
immersed in so many different brands, and even better to be working alongside
the industry’s most talented creatives, social strategists and media relations
pros. The travel is definitely a perk, too.
My involvement in Alpha Phi, the
J School and other campus organizations definitely honed the multitasking,
leadership and people skills that I use at FH every day. And without having those
experiences to supplement five (yes, five!) internships, I doubt my resume
would’ve stood out to top tier employers. Still, it’s hard to be adequately
prepared for the real world after college – despite studying, interning and
being involved on campus, it was still a shock to find that the “8-to-5” work
day has shifted to “always accessible.” By far my biggest takeaway from Alpha
Phi is the sisters that I continue to call my best friends – no matter how many
miles are between us! While my career will always be a top priority, I cherish
those relationships and quality time together more than any title on LinkedIn.
