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Spotlight: Melanie Hinton |
 Melanie Hinton
Melanie Hinton is a Public Affairs Officer at the British Embassy. She joined PRSA and PRSA-NCC in June 2005.
Why did you join PRSA?
I saw PRSA as a great opportunity to expand my networking portfolio by meeting professionals who can help me help my team achieve outstanding public affairs work. It is also a great venue to learn about new ideas or looking at things from a different perspective…too often we get tunnel vision; this will help me keep things “fresh and innovative.”
What skills are required to do your job?
For my job doing public diplomacy at the British Embassy, I spend a lot of time creating strategies on how to reach out to the public to get our views and successes to the masses. I spend a lot of time collaborating with outside groups to hold events with media coverage while also encouraging the participation of policymakers.
What’s your greatest career achievement?
Watching my first media campaign, at my previous job, be so successful. It took a lot of time and effort working with non-communications people and writers, but we still got great publicity out of the program.
Tips for maintaining the elusive work/life balance?
I was once told by an old boss that on your deathbed, no one ever says they wished they worked harder; it is always “I wish I spent more time with my family.” When I leave the office everyday, I leave it. I don’t take it home with me, and I rarely discuss it at home. My husband and I discuss us and our lives when we are together. We try to make the best of each minute we spend together without work bringing us down. It is a challenge as my husband works from home, but when I come home I make him shut the office door. It is our time.
What’s the last book you read?
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
Prepared by Chanda Gilmore. If you’ve joined the chapter within the past six months and would like to receive a questionnaire, please contact newsletter@prsa-ncc.org.
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