Governmental Programs Liaison, US Census Bureau
 After four years in communications and program management and one year
of public relations, Maria was determined to join an organization that
would allow her to network with other professionals, especially those
like her who were new to the public relations field. Out of several
national and local organizations, Maria quickly realized that PRSA
provided both the networking and resources valued by so many young
public relations professionals.
What skills are required to do your job?
Creativity and motivation are top of my list. My job is to market a government agency that is better known by an every ten-year activity and lots of numbers. I have to use a lot of imagination and persistence to attract the public to our exhibit booth or workshops in conferences where you have other presenters such as Wal-Mart or Pepsi. I have to develop various ideas for each activity and create catchy messages that I can communicate in 15 seconds or less.
What’s your dream job?
I have two, and I plan to make them both happen in a couple of years. The first is to manage an upscale event planning company in Puerto Rico and produce very innovative conventions there. The other one is own a nice spa close to the beach.
Who’s your role model, and why do you admire him/her?
I do not feel that I have one specific role model. I admire a variety of people from my boyfriend and friends to co-workers to figures such as Franklin D. Roosevelt and Bill Clinton. I do not take them as a formal role model but learn from the characteristics that make them each successful and try to apply those characteristics to myself.
Tips for maintaining the elusive work/life balance?
You need to learn and accept that work and personal life are not going to be perfect all the time. My job requires a lot of travel and in-town activities that consume much of my time. Those days I do not pretend to be perfect anymore, however as soon as those big work projects are completed I focus on having an excellent dinner with my boyfriend, have a girls night with my friends or simply spend hours in front of the TV playing with my dog. Please, don’t try to be the MVP of both games at the same time or you will fail in both…Finally, I believe in vacation time!!! |
