Alumni Spotlight: Maris Laughton

Account Executive at Statecomm

“Prepare for a career in public relations to always be willing to learn and take on additional responsibilities at your job or internship whenever you can. It's easy to get by in a job, but you can accelerate your career by making it known that you are willing to take on a challenge or learn a new skill.”

1. What was your undergraduate experience like? (What you studied, your involvement in PRSSA, any other extracurricular activities or internships you’d like to talk about)

I loved my time at AU! I studied Public Relations and Strategic Communications and minored in Psychology. I was involved in a variety of different extracurricular organizations, but the most memorable being PRSSA from my sophomore to senior year and serving as the Vice President of AU's chapter of PRSSA during my final semester. I held three different internships during undergrad that ranged from communications to marketing to events at Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic, Blackfinn Ameripub and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).

2. Where has your career path led you since graduating?

Since graduating from AU in 2019, I have had quite the career path. I interned on the corporate communications team at APCO Worldwide for 8 months, then was hired full-time on the digital strategy team at Banner Public Affairs in January 2020, and then was hired as an account executive at Stratacomm in July 2021, all while living in DC, and most while living through a pandemic.

3. What does your current role entail?

In my current role at Stratacomm, which is a mid-sized integrated communications firm, I work on public relations, social media and events efforts for the Interagency Working Group (IWG) on Coal and Power Plant Communities and Economic Revitalization, a working group within the U.S. Department of Energy. The IWG works to provide resources and funding opportunities to traditional energy communities across the U.S. to spur economic development, create good-paying jobs and support energy workers while the U.S. transitions to a clean energy economy. I write a lot of news stories, press releases, event communication materials, emails to stakeholders, and social media content, and also help organize and put on virtual events. Hopefully I'll be helping with in-person events soon.

4. What’s one thing you love about your current job or working in public relations?

I love working for a client whose mission I am passionate about. Knowing that I am helping people who really need it makes coming to work fun and motivates me to go above and beyond. I have also always loved writing and I get to do that every day!

5. What’s your proudest accomplishment across your career so far?

My proudest accomplishment in my career so far is the fact that after one week of starting my job at Stratacomm, I was client-facing and interacting with the client on a daily basis. That is not always common for junior-level employees in public relations, but I was able to prove myself as reliable and professional when interacting with the client and that allowed me to take on more responsibility more quickly.

6. What’s in the future for you?

I'm currently attending the University of Florida online and working towards my Master's degree in Political Communications, so I plan to continue working in government and politics for a while. I could see myself working for a political campaign or advocacy organization at some point in my career as well. There are endless possibilities for political communications in Washington, DC!

7. How have your experiences with PRSSA supported you in your professional career?

My experiences with PRSSA and PRSA have expanded my professional network greatly and helped me land my internship at APCO Worldwide, as well as helped me get interviews for several jobs. Your professional network and connections can get you far in the job search and I couldn't be more grateful for PRSSA showing me how important my network truly is.

8. What advice would you give to current AU PRSSA members to prepare for a career in public relations?

Some advice I would give AU PRSSA members to prepare for a career in public relations is to always be willing to learn and take on additional responsibilities at your job or internship whenever you can. It's easy to get by in a job, but you can accelerate your career by making it known that you are willing to take on a challenge or learn a new skill.

9. Fun fact!

One fun fact about me is that I love to read! Typically I read at least 30 books every year.