Okay, so working for a public relations firm isn't quite what I had in mind when I enrolled in my first journalism class at Georgetown University, but I don't think I that could have been better prepared for what I do on a day to day basis as an account assistant for the socially conscious strategic communications firm the I currently work for in Georgetown.

First thing every morning, I collect news clips covering HIV/AIDS infection among African-American women. While Google's automatic news search function makes gathering these clips significantly easier, it doesn't help me quickly siphon through hundreds of similar clips to identify new information about the epidemic and new trends in the media's coverage of it. My journalism classes taught me how to craft the news, which also helped be to become an expert at reading and deconstructing it, a skill that I now heavily rely on.

At my current job I also draft and edit press materials on a regular basis including press releases, drop in articles, PSA's, Op-Ed's, etc. Thanks to a Georgetown summer writing program encompassing journalism and communication skills, I successfully breezed through the writing test during my initial interviews for this job, and can now piece together a news release with confidence beyond my entry-level experience.

Although I'm currently not employed as a journalist, I do have the frequent pleasure of working with reporters, pitching them on various news and events, and following up with them as their stories come to fruition. Having been taught the most important elements of what can and cannot be considered news worthy throughout my journalism coursework, I feel like I have a tremendous advantage when I get on the phone with these journalists who are usually already under deadline and aren't in the mood to have their time wasted with weak news or incoherent babbling.

While still a Georgetown journalism student I acquired a number of contacts, mentors and friends from a variety of media organizations and publications including the Washington Post and People magazine. Not only have I remained in personal contact with these people, but I've been able to take advantage of numerous networking opportunities that have proved invaluable in my current profession.

In fact, I wouldn't even have my job if not for the editorial internship that I completed at People Magazine immediately following my graduation in May of 2001. My very first day at People Magazine I was sent to a communications firm in Georgetown to interview Della Reese who was in Washington, DC for a cause worthy initiative she was heading on behalf of senior citizens. Not only did I publish an online clip for the People Magazine website, but I also made some great contacts at that firm that would eventually lead me to working for them in the position that I hold today.

I haven't given up on journalism just yet though! I'm currently trying to hone my freelance skills pitching stories to small online women's travel publications. Right now I'm working on a piece titled "Getting Somewhere, Going Nowhere" -- it's a story for cubicle bound women like myself who dream of someday traveling the world, or at least beyond the fax machine.