Grad Profile: Maggie Doucette (2012/13)

Today's Loyalist PR graduate profile is with Maggie Doucette (2012/13) who is now employed as a Public Relations Associate at Ripley's Aquarium of Canada situated in downtown Toronto.

Prior to enrolling in the Post-Graduate Public Relations Program at Loyalist College, Maggie completed a degreen in Health Sciences & Sociology at Western University.

Loyalist PR: Why did you decide to enrol in the Post-Grad PR Program at Loyalist following your university program?

Maggie Doucette: I wanted to grow my skills in program organization and management so I could pursue a career in the field of communications.

Loyalist PR: How did the Post-Grad PR program help prepare you for your current role?

Maggie: Loyalist and Kerry prepared me for my current position by teaching me how to make media lists and PR campaigns/plans, and how to run social media accounts. There is a much longer list of things I have used during my job that I learne dfrom Kerry, but it would take all day.

Loyalist PR: Any favourite memories from your time in the Post-Grad PR program that you'd like to share?

Maggie: My favourite moment was when we held our fundraising event. It was extremely thrilling to raise money for such great causes [United Way and The Prom Project].

Loyalist PR: Any tips for this year's crew of Loyalist PR students?

Maggie: Journalists/media can catch you unaware, so keep yours eyes and ears wide open. There are going to be meanies on social media, so prepare for that too. Take advantage of being in school! Travel when you can and use your breaks to have fun. Life will never be as easy.

Loyalist PR: Thanks for sharing with us, Maggie! We're glad you took the Loyalist PR "FISH Philosophy" to heart when you decided to work for the aquarium (hee hee). Best of luck in your new position.

Grad Profile: Shonna Spicer (2012/13)

Loyalist PR grad Shonna Spicer (centre) at the Jays Care Charity Golf Classic.

Today's Loyalist PR Graduate Profile features Shonna Spicer who currently works for the Jays Care Foundation, the charitable arm of the Toronto Blue Jays.

Prior to enrolling in the Post-Graduate Public Relations Program at Loyalist College, Shonna completed a communications degree at Laurentian University.

Loyalist PR: What made you decide to enrol in the Post-Grad PR Program at Loyalist?

Shonna: I decided to take Loyalist PR because I wanted to gain more hands-on experience in the PR field before entering the workforce. I also chose Loyalist because of the smaller class size the program offered (30 students).

Loyalist PR: How did the Post-Grad PR Program help prepare you for your current position with the Jays Care Foundation?

Shonna: Loyalist prepared me for my current position by helping instill more confidence in myself through hands-on assignment and fundraising events. University taught me how to write an essay, but this program also prepared me by teaching me how to write for the "real world" through the communications and event plans, news releases and reports we completed.

Loyalist PR: Any favourite memories of your time spent in the Post-Grad PR Program?

Shonna: One of my favourite memories from my year in Loyalist PR was our monthly potlucks when everyone in the class brought their desired food and we played charades! I also enjoyed our trip to Toronto visiting Steam Whistle, Hill & Knowlton Strategies Canada and CBC. It was informative learning about three very different types of PR.

Loyalist PR: Any words of wisdom to offer this year's Post-Grad PR students?

Shonna: Keep an open mind and seize as many opportunities as possible! Treat your entire internship like a job interview, because you never know what could come out of it.