Portfolio Center Blog Portfolio Center Blog: Portfolio Spotlight: Bethany Meyers, Marketing Communications
The grass is indeed greener on the other side for Marketing Communications grad Bethany Meyers. In addition to attending Industry Night, Bethany turned her passion for environmental services into a career.
Stats
Name: Bethany Meyers
Major: Marketing Communications/Public Relations
Grad Date: May 2008
Current Employment: Saeger Media Group
Follow your passion
Once I graduated from Columbia Chicago, I made the decision to fulfill a long-time dream and move to Los Angeles, CA. Most thought I was crazy. I had no job, no car, few contacts, and was leaving behind a place in Chicago that I had become well established. However, I have always been a follower of my heart, so I packed up my bags and within two weeks I was on the western edge of the US.
Network and You’ll Work
Things were tough at first. Without school to help you acclimate to a new city, you begin to feel lost and rather tiny. I realized if I wanted to find my place I would have to start networking. My goal was to find work in the environmental sector preferably doing Public Relations work for green-minded companies. So, I found an organization entitled "Green Drinks" which is a networking night, once a month, for those in the green field (they also have one in Chicago!). It was here that I met the person, who knew the person, who knew another person that could help me out.
I soon found myself in an interview with a Public Relations firm that focuses on green, environmental, and health and wellness clients. We work with Jamba Juice, O Organics, Manduka Yoga, and many other companies that are doing good things to help better our earth.
Rock Your Resources
Keep in contact with your professors from classes. They have been the most helpful resource I have had. And I can honestly say that I have the Portfolio Center to thank for my current position. My firm had been looking for green minded people to fill this role, and the Portfolio Center helped me to make an entirely "green" book. The environmental work I have previously done was the focus of my portfolio and my designer made sure it stood out with color, layout and presentation. I then had everything printed on recycled paper and put in a sustainable book.
My interviewers couldn't have been happier when I pulled my book out of my bag and started speaking of green work I had done in the past. In fact, later they told me that once I brought out my portfolio they knew I was the correct fit for the company. I put much time into making sure my portfolio was perfect, and the Portfolio Center helped me so much. I talk to other friends who's colleges have nothing like this to offer and it makes me realize how truly lucky we are at our school.
Take Chances
I think the biggest thing I have come to realize is that the world is filled with so much opportunity if we are willing seek it. I think you have to take big chances to see big results. If there is something you have always wanted to do or go or be, now is the time. We have just graduated, we have the world in our hands, nothing tying us back, holding us down, or preventing us from moving forward.
Your first job may not be your dream job, it may not be where you will choose to stay, in fact, you may end up in a job that is completely different from what you majored in, and that is okay. Realize that we are young with lots of time; find what you love, what you are best at and pursue, no matter what anyone else may say. Graduating may not mean you dive straight into a career, it may mean you begin to experience a whole world of opportunity and relearn yourself. Don't limit your being.
Keesha Johnson
MFA Creative Writing
Portfolio Center Production Manager