The Strategic Communication program recently hosted an alumni panel, where former students discussed their time at Columbia and answered questions from current students on how to successfully navigate careers and their studies. The panel covered a wide variety of topics ranging from their favorite and most valuable classes, to the program’s impact on their current roles, to their advice on time management and work-life balance.
The event featured:
- Pamela Myrick (’20SPS, Brand Strategy & Product Communications Manager, Spectrum Reach)
- Gabby Rose (‘20SPS, Manager, Strategic Client Communications, Numerator)
- Mariana Pinos (’18SPS, Senior Analyst, Customer Personalization, JetBlue)
- Maurice Wiggens (’19SPS, Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Lead, Google)
Devo Probol (’20SPS, Communication Strategist, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command) moderated the panel by introducing the agenda, directing questions to the panelists, and contributing to the discussion by sharing her student experience in the part-time program.
The alumni underscored the importance of strategic communication at all levels and discussed how the program empowered them to champion communications roles at their organizations. The program allowed Pam Myrick, who works at Spectrum Reach, to gain the confidence to approach her VP and talk about the needs for brand storytelling at the telecom company. Gabby Rose integrated strategic communications to frame the next client outreach at Numerator. Mariana Pinos piqued an initial interest in joining JetBlue after studying the airline in class in a case study. Maurice Wiggins progressed in his career, from Columbia to the Whitney Museum to Google, while advancing through the program
The panelists also offered general advice to students and encouraged them to appreciate, engage, and explore all the resources Columbia has both academically and for career exploration.