Career Roadmap
Ryan's work combines: Writing, Non-Profit Organizations, and Communicating / Sharing Stories
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Wichita East
Bachelor's Degree
Business Administration and Management, General
University of Kansas
Bachelor's Degree
Spanish Language and Literature
University of Kansas
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Public Relations Specialists:
High School
Bachelor's Degree: Business Administration and Management, General
Bachelor's Degree: Spanish Language and Literature
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
I chose to move from Kansas to New York City.
2.
I worked for several communications-related agencies (Branding, PR).
3.
I moved to Richmond, VA and worked for a nonprofit (YMCA) in their marketing/communications dept.
4.
I switched gears and worked in the internal communications department for a corporate org (Genworth).
5.
I joined the marketing committee - and eventually board of directors - for a local nonprofit org.
6.
I combined all of my experience when I changed jobs to lead comms for Capital One Community Affairs.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Parents:
You should study accounting. It's the language of business.
How I responded:
Even if someone gives you advice that is true (for example, Accounting actually is the language of some parts of the business world), that doesn't mean it's for you. I quickly found out that I'm not a numbers guy, but there still is a place for me in the business world in communications - which actually is another language of business. Figure out what you're good at and focus on it. Do what you want to do - not what someone else thinks you should do (even if they're trying to help).