Alia Gray
Freelance writer/copywriter, professional runner (5 years out)
Posted on December 1, 2017 at 12:00 PM
Alia Gray, (Public Relations, 2012) a freelance writer and professional runner in Colorado, credits her successful career to Tehama Group Communications, a student-run public relations agency on the Chico State campus.
The post-grad search for an entry-level job can be a tedious task, but Gray found that her participation in TGC set her apart from her competitors.
Gray qualified for the 2016 Olympic Trials for marathon running and has a great deal of experience with competition. Her involvement in a student agency was only an aid in the search for a start in the professional public relations field.
“Most PR agencies that I spoke to directly out of college were really impressed with the structure of TGC,” Gray said. “It simply was a model that most job recruiters hadn't seen from recent college graduates.”
Several aspects of real-world experience can only be learned in the field, but supplementing her work experience with TGC and core journalism classes added a lot of value to Gray’s skillset.
“We worked really hard during our time in TGC and had a strong team culture,” Gray said. “This organically produced a supportive, social atmosphere. It was really great.”
After participating in TGC for one year, she was promoted and became TGC’s first PR Director.
Gray felt a noticeable shift in confidence when she began interviewing and inquiring about jobs after college because of her leadership positions.
Gray, a natural introvert, cherished the fact that J&PR taught her to open up socially and communicate effectively.
Prior to her current freelance work, Gray worked as a project manager for Pea.Brain, a digital marketing company in San Francisco.
Later, she took on a social media manager/copywriter position at MM Local Food, an organic food company in Colorado.
Alongside her PR career, Gray took on her professional distance-runner role for Brooks running company.
The movement through Gray’s professional career has been steady. She professionally gets to play with words, which she loves and enjoys.
Gray’s advice to students is no matter where they’re at in their professional development, they should vocalize their goals to those around them.
“People who are in your corner are going to try to help if you're good at what you do,” Gray stressed. “If you have a likable, reasonably humble personality and get your work done, you'll do well.”
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By Jae Siqueiros