By: Cameron Pellegrino '27
For UMass Journalism students on the public relations track, the transition from graduation to landing a job is happening faster than ever. Graduates are stepping into PR roles across industries, from event planning and marketing to professional sports and entertainment. Campus involvement, strategic networking and hands-on experience can pay off immediately, as employers quickly recognize the skills these students bring to the table.
Nina Prenosil ‘25, who spent her senior year serving as head of public relations at the Massachusetts Daily Collegian, didn’t have to look far for her first job. She also worked for two years as a communications assistant for the Commonwealth Honors College, experience that directly prepared her for the current role she holds. Today, she is the MassURC Coordinator and Events Assistant, overseeing the Massachusetts Undergraduate Research Conference.
“In this role, I plan and execute the conference by communicating with strategic partners, creating marketing and promotional materials and planning conference logistics,” Prenosil said. “Aside from my duties as the conference coordinator, I support co-curricular events the Honors college hosts, which is a more hands-on part of my job that I really enjoy.”
Preparation is key. When it comes to the interview process, there’s no better trick than to simply be ready. In Prenosil’s case, the hiring team conducted multiple interviews, with each one diving a bit deeper into how she would fit in the role and where her strengths aligned. She spent time practicing her elevator pitch and freshening up her interview skills prior to each round.
“The interview process was not as daunting as I had anticipated it might be,” Prenosil said. “I also made sure to practice discussing how my undergraduate experiences in and outside the classroom prepared me for this role, which I felt was really helpful when interviewing for a job at a university. Once I was offered the position, it was a seamless process to being hired.”
This is certainly not to sugarcoat the job search and undermine the pressures of the hiring process. Sometimes, it just takes a pinch of patience and a push of persistence. Zahriana Newson Gadsden ‘24 never got discouraged and reaped the benefits.
“After graduating from UMass with a degree in communications and a concentration in PR, I definitely felt the pressure of finding a job that aligned with my goals,” Gadsden said. “I focused on networking through LinkedIn, tailoring my applications to roles that truly excited me, and staying patient with the process.”
Gadsden now works for the NFL’s New England Patriots, more specifically, for Kraft Sports + Entertainment. As a marketing assistant, she supports events, sponsorship activations and gameday operations.
“It’s been a great learning experience and stepping stone into the sports and entertainment industry,” Gadsden said. “My biggest advice is to trust your timing, stay proactive and take every opportunity as a chance to grow.”