Public Relations Alumni All-Stars
Victoria Saavedra' 17
Publicist at CBS Entertainment
Interview by Aliza Nanku
Student Public Relations Association
Her Campus
Lambda Pi Eta
DAILY
5pm-8pm
Victoria Saavedra earned her BA in Public Relations and a Minor in Music and Entertainment Industry Studies.
Tell us about your time at WP:
Being part of SPRA and part of the communication program at William Paterson truly set me up for success. From the valuable face time with working professionals in the field to great time with advisors, I have always been grateful for the opportunities I had. Specifically, Professor Brown truly took me under her wing and always taught me incredible lessons that to this day I use in some capacity. She was always open to answering my curious questions about the field and how to make myself a rockstar candidate in the future. I always felt that my professors tried to tie everything they could to the real world, and this helped tremendously in applying what I learned in college to my jobs. The courses I took also helped me to understand various aspects of communications from social media to CSR and more.
What else prepared you for professional success?
With the help of resources from my professors and WP, I interned for BET Networks (a division of Viacom Inc.) and SiriusXM and have worked with top networks and agencies including CBS Entertainment, DKC, NBCU Universal Media, and MSNBC to gain experience.
Can you tell us about how your hispanic background has helped your career?
Being bilingual has been an incredible asset to have professionally from being able to work directly with Latin reporters and outlets to expand the reach of the shows I'm working to promote. Knowing the Latin culture and Spanish language also opens doors in a unique way when it pertains to paying close attention to shows across the Network that are showcasing a Latin topic. I always want to make sure I'm using my perspective to share any issues that may arrive from a line on a script or even in the marketing of a show that uses Latin culture and/or Spanish language to portray something. My voice is valued in this regard which truly showcases our commitment to getting things right on a DEI perspective. This skill set has helped me stand on my own throughout my career and showcase a unique perspective needed on a team.
Alumni Profiles
Leslie Campos '20
Account Executive
Co-Chair of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee
Coyne PR
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Former PR Assistant & PR Account Coordinator at CPR Strategic Marketing Communications
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Former SPRA President
WP prepared me for my career in public relations with courses where I wrote writing pitches, press releases, and researched topics to write stories and have felt as if I was a publicist and journalist in training. From going around campus interviewing people for class to creating full out PR campaigns as a final project, my professors and mentors not only lectured on the material but taught us how to find our voice and style in writing.
Being involved in SPRA helped me launch my career. From getting my first internship at the annual career fair, to making connections with successful alumni, I was able to make connections and gain real professional experience that has resulted in my current position at Coyne PR.
My connections to WP, SPRA and the faculty and students is forever! I love to come back to campus to help PR students learn about the industry and launch their careers.
Thomas DeMartino ‘19
Digital Operations
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
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Former Sales Support, Fello
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Former Marketing and Public Relations Assistant at William Paterson University
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Former SPRA President
When I finally got my foot in the door at my dream organization, the NBA, Professor Brown was one of the first people I texted to share the news, this was because faculty at WP always supported me and encouraged me to keep working towards my goals. I knew I had to build skills that would help me get there and to never give up. I've been working since graduation towards this goal and I finally got my big break!
My advice to students is to stay in touch with your professors and to take advantage of all of the classes and extra curricular opportunities WP has to offer!
Being a SPRA president helped me learn how to manage a lot of things at once, even if it's just at college, being a president of something, no matter what it is, helped me learn how to bundle a lot of things all at once. It's just deadlines and more things on top of that. It teaches you time management and really forces me to be able to manage my time better to distribute time for myself, other club members, and be able to do my classes. It helped me learn a lot of concepts as to just how to strategize and be a more competent worker than I was before.
Tracy Milligan '17
Senior Account Executive at BCW Global
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Former Account Executive at Spectrum Science
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Former Assistant Account Executive at Sheinkopf Communications
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Former Manager/Production Assistant at Dransfield & Ross Ltd.
"I was at high-end sales where I sold $800 pillows and then I switched to public relations. I made an investment in myself because I paid out of pocket to come here, and I felt William Paterson did offer the adjunct professors' being in the real world, offering their day-to-day experience while also teaching the course, which really prepared me for what to expect when I started interviewing. I also used them as leverage, so once I secured my diploma, I started reaching out to them on LinkedIn, asking if they knew anybody in healthcare and they looked me out. I have been working from home right now for the last two years at BCW Global. It’s a public relations agency and I’m in the healthcare practice."
Cassandra Cupo '11
Public Relations manager at Cooley LLP
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Former Senior Public Relations Specialist, Global Marketing and Communications at Skadden
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Former Business Development Specialist at Allen & Overy
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Former Marketing Coordinator at Moses & Singer LLP
"Many WP professors not only taught from the book, but equally shared on-the-job experiences. My job is to monitor the news and identify opportunities for attorneys to speak to the media about how current events shape business and the overall market. I still channel Dr. Lesher when sitting down to write anything of importance. Memories of her class and her direction still echo in my mind. Professor Brown’s lessons in life will forever be with me. She’s taught me things about myself that I keep at the forefront of my mind, and regularly try to keep in check not only in my career, but also in my personal life. I’ve recognized some of those same traits in junior team members and it’s helped me to mentor them accordingly."