01:16
Amy Dunham Highlight
Don't be afraid to ask [for help] and don't put too much pressure on yourself to have everything figured out. Do good work, show up prepared, and have a good work ethic, and everything will be okay.
About Amy
- For my business major in college, I had to take a public speaking class. I thought, wait: You can major in "Look at Me While I'm Talking"? Sign me up!
- I got an internship in the communications department at American Airlines the summer after sophomore year. A plane crashed my first day on the job.
- 9/11 was my sixth day of work out of college, at a PR agency. We had a client on retainer called Argenbright, who did 80% of airport security. They had no spokesperson, and so I took on the role.
- Between accepting the role and starting, my employer filed for bankruptcy. Over 3.5 years, the airline was bankrupt twice, had two crashes and merged with another airline across the country.
- Staffing a Smithsonian photo shoot at the airport, I got talking to the TSA comms guy, at the time a new agency. After a day together, he asked if he could call me. I interviewed a week later.
- 18 months into being a civil servant at TSA, I got tapped to be the transition official for the Homeland Security press office, preparing for the 2008 election.
- After 4 years at DHS, I was tired. I said as much to a Secret Service buddy. He got a call from a headhunter soon after, recruiting for the NCAA. I got a job in sports by way of the Secret Service.
- I now direct integrated strategic communications efforts to advance Strada Education Network’s brand identity, broaden awareness of its programs and advance its position with key constituents.
