Jamie Randall

Major: Journalism (emphasis in Strategic Communications & Reporting)

Certificates: Digital Studies & Business

Graduation Date: May 2023

How did you end up working at Edelman?

My career path started in college with a variety of internships and each one was a key player because it told me what I liked and what I didn’t while adding skills to my toolbox. From my Editorial Internship with Milwaukee Magazine to being a Content Intern with the Division of Continuing Studies at UW-Madison, an Account Management Intern at Ogilvy and a Public Relations Intern at Evoke, I found that each one had a role to play when navigating my career. They allowed me to see that 1) I wanted to use writing in my career 2) I wanted to be a part of a team, go work in an office and meet people 3) I wanted to work on the agency side with big clients. Realizing this at the end of the summer before my senior year allowed me to use those goals in my networking and application processes, and it helped when advertising myself to prospective employers. I was really surprised to receive an offer from Edelman because of its size and how competitive it is, but I have felt super lucky to be starting out at such a great company and be surrounded by awesome people and really cool clients.

What does a typical day in the office look like for you?

While Edelman is most recognized as a PR agency, it’s expanded to being known as a global communications agency due to all of the capabilities it holds. I am currently assigned to four clients and apart from client and internal calls, my main responsibilities include monitoring the media, crafting audit reports, building out media lists, pitching reporters, updating agendas and recaps, writing monthly blog posts, helping create LinkedIn posts and more! My team – business marketing – sits in the Corporate Reputation sector, and because we have a B2B focus,we target shareholders and investors instead of consumers. My team is tight-knit, with eight out of 40 located in Chicago.

How has Digital Studies influenced your career path?

Journalism 417: Magazine Publishing (Curb) played an essential role along with all the other J-School courses I took as they helped me build my skills in AP style. AP style is essential in PR as we’re constantly drafting blogs, press releases, audits and pitches, so shout-out to Curb as it allowed me to write a variety of stories in different forms about a variety of topics.

Did you have a favorite Digital Studies class or professor when you were a student?

Katie Krueger for Marketing 355: Marketing in a Digital Age was amazing and was constantly looking out for the class and wanted to help connect students with alumni and job opportunities. Stacy Forster, who taught J417 and other J school courses, helped improve my writing immensely and allowed me to sharpen my skills.

Do you have any advice for current students?

Try absolutely everything – whether it’s writing for a magazine or applying for a random internship. Don’t be afraid to reach out to Badger Alumni for advice!

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career thus far?

In November, I staffed my first interview with an ecologist for a content feature piece that my team publishes on our client’s website bimonthly. I’m currently working on the draft and aiming for a publication date in January!