Name:
Ms. Leah Demaree
E-mail address:
leah.demaree@earthlink.net
Education Information
Undergraduate Major:
Public Relations/Communications
Degree Received:
BS
Graduation Year:
2003
Activities, student organizations, leadership roles, etc. in which I was
involved at UT:
Dance Marathon-Director of Media Relations, Director of Development, Assistant Director of Campus Publicity
PRSSA-National Liasion
Zeta Tau Alpha-Fundraising Chair, Philanthropy Co-Chair
National Society of Collegiate Scholars
Job Information
Employer Name:
The Cotton Board
Present Job Title:
Communications Assistant
Brief description of my job responsibilities, e.g. a typical week in my job:
writing new releases, gathering clips, feature writing, creating brochures, newsletters, calendar
Traveling to met with cotton importers and growers.
Suggestions I would give to undergraduate students with regard to courses,
internships, and other means of preparation for my career field:
I highly recommend internships and PRSSA. Both played a large role in my future employment. Take advantage of the workshops
and seminars PRSSA offers (both at UT and at conferences). You can learn so much and get a leg up on your competition
especially when it comes to your resume and portfolio. In PR, internships are very important. If you don't know what area
you prefer try a couple internships in different fields, different cities, non profit, corporate, agency. You
will learn something different and get a different experience in all. Your education supplements this experience.
Also I recommend taking desktop publising courses. J280 touches on them, but I would try the free ones offered by the
tech people on campus. You just never know what the future holds for you. Your experience in one program i.e. Quark,
could be the factor for getting an interview. Lastly, if you leave Knoxville when you graduate look into the PRSA chapter
in the town you will be living!
They may have an excellent opportunity to help you find a job. For instance Memphis PRSA has a jobnet. If you are a
PRSSA member they will send out your resume to available communications positions in the area. Don't forget to network.
Everyone knows someone and they could be the key to getting the perfect job for you.
My career path in getting to this position:
I had three internships in college plus my experience with Dance Marathon. I got my first internship by volunteering for
an agency's special event. Someone in one of my pr classes said this agency needed help with one of their clients events
and anyone could sign up. Few did. Once I got there they offered everyone who volunteered the opportunity to intern with
them. If an opportunity comes along grab onto it bc you just never know. Once I graduated I moved back home. I joined the
Memphis PRSA jobnet (a lifesaver) and before I knew it I had two interviews. It's not always this easy, but if you take
advantage of the people and resources around you you can more times than not come out ahead in the end.
Other advice for students interested in gaining entry into and pursuing a career
in this field:
Don't be afraid. The worst that can happen is someone says "no".
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