Christine Pill

Strategic Communications, February 2010

Please describe your academic background including the reason(s) for enrolling in the M.S. program at the School of Continuing Education.

I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Richmond where I majored in my own self-designed interdisciplinary major in performing arts management and minored in dance. Upon moving to New York City I found that I enjoyed marketing the arts, but wanted to broaden my focus to communications more generally. When I learned about SCE's Strategic Communications program, it seemed like the perfect fit to sharpen my communications skills and apply these skills to marketing the arts.

Please describe your professional background leading up to your current position.

In Richmond, Virginia I worked as a guest services associate at a regional arts center, the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen, for one year. Good old fashioned alumni networking landed me that role, where I did everything from art class registrations to assisting with marketing and special event planning. Since 2005, I have worked on Columbia's campus doing marketing at Miller Theatre, a job I also found through a former classmate. I have had opportunities to oversee everything from advertising, design, and print material production to the website, emails, audience research--all in the name of building both external and campus audiences for Columbia's professional arts presenter. But that will change completely in two weeks when I travel to Haiti.

What is a typical day like in your current position?

At Miller there are eight full-time employees. In addition to traditional outreach, I have worked on projects in many other areas such as development and production. I have used brand strategy, positioning, market research, and evaluation almost daily. I am taking on a new challenge this year: I am heading to Haiti as a volunteer dance instructor. I will be working with an organization called Haitian Artisans for Peace International, with bases in both Haiti and the mid-western U.S. Although their projects range from medical care, education to agriculture and children's programs, the organization primarily supports business development through a women's artist co-op. My typical day, as of February, will be the exact opposite of what it is now-arts and communications for a completely different purpose.
 
How did the Strategic Communications program help you prepare for your career?  
 
The Strategic Communications program has been invaluable. Classes such as "Business and Media Writing" and "Delivering the Strategic Message" helped me to land my new volunteer role. Once in Haiti, the theories I studied will help me with patience in a place where I do not speak the language. Of course, communicating in stressful situations will be the key to success. When I re-enter the job market in summer, the Advanced Communications Project will prove helpful in conveying my qualifications, as will the "Master Narrative" class in connecting my past with my future.

What advice would you give to students who wish to pursue careers in Strategic Communications?

First, be open to classes in areas with which you aren't familiar. I wish I had taken Communications for Social Change for example. Second, be open to change. In strategic communications tools and methods are constantly in flux. Finally, be open to learning from your classmates. The instructors are stellar, but certainly the deep and wide experiences of your peers are invaluable, too.