Glynis Ford Gotwald

Strategic Communications, February 2010

Please tell us briefly about your academic background. 

I graduated from the Strategic Communications program at Columbia University in February 2010. I also hold a BA from University of Pittsburgh in history of art and architecture as well as one in studio arts.

Could you walk us through your career path leading up to your current position? 

My career in communications began through my work with Governor Pataki's administration. I was the first communicator to be hired at the New York State Council on the Arts for his administration and built the Council's communications department/materials from scratch. This included creating an online prescience that has now become the primary location for all communications for the Council. I was then offered a position at Empire State Development (ESD), the economic development arm for the Governor. While holding this position, I was the primary speechwriter for the chairman of ESD along with a spokesperson on projects that ranged from Brooklyn Bridge Park to the World Trade Center devastation. My government, hands-on experience taught me how to communicate effectively to a diverse population during every day and crisis situations. This experience positioned me well to take on my next challenge working in the public affairs department at Edelman PR. I was supervising multiple accounts and crisis situations for clients. Recently, I accepted an administrative role as global knowledge manager and vice president for Edelman's global client relations management program. As the first person to hold this role, I work with the chair of the program and senior Edelman leaders to support fourteen of the very best communicators at Edelman through creating process and tools to support their client work. I also manage an array of internal communications projects for global Edelman to support its infrastructure.

What is a typical day like in your current position?  

As with all communications roles, you must begin your day seeking out any current information on your subject matters. Usually I start with multiple meetings regarding Edelman global IP and other initiatives that may help support the work I currently do for the GCRM program. After those calls, I turn to writing programming guidelines, strategic planning documents, as well as communications to the teams. I often work with the core GCRM teams to help share information and best practices, along with provide strategic counsel on current situations the team seems themselves in throughout their work.
 
How has the degree helped you in your career? 
 
I have learned all my communications skills through hands-on experience. This program has grounded this experience through its practical techniques and has provided new processes and ways to evaluate a communications situation. I appreciated that my professors also worked in the communications field and utilized their learning to help sharpen our skills throughout the coursework. From day one, I have used my coursework to help guide me through my work.
 
Is there anything you would have done differently while at the School of Continuing Education?
 
This is a tough question. I worked quite slowly through the program (four years). I would have liked to have taken two courses each semester, but that would not have worked for my professional and personal life. I think this is what's great about this program. I was able to complete my master's while working full-time and growing my family. The flexibility Columbia offered was the only way I was going to be able to accomplish my goal.

What advice would you give students interested in entering your field of work? 

Read, read, and read. Knowing what is going on in the world and who is writing about it is key to success. Communications is a great, fast paced profession with lots of excitement. If you are interested in the field, I would also suggest trying to intern at a public relations agency to ensure that this is the profession for you.