This blog is based on our personal views, and it does not necessarily reflect the views of our employers.
Allie Osmar
I made the move to Chicago in the summer of 2007. I had one suitcase, and I met my roommate the day I moved into the apartment I had never seen before. I then set out to reestablish the life I had just spent 22 years building.
On day two in Chicago, I started my job with Marsteller Interactive, the interactive arm of the global public relations firm Burson-Marsteller. This is where you’ll find me today - sitting dangerously close to the coffee bar, where sweets are left out throughout the week.
Before moving to Chicago, I spent four years of my life as a student at Michigan State University, where I received a duel degree in Advertising and Telecommunications, Information Studies and Media, with an emphasis in Digital Media Arts and Technology (Yes, that’s a very long name, so I usually shorten it to "digital media," since this sort of sums up the career I am in now).
Like most college students, I was completely terrified by the idea of graduating and heading out to find a job. So I started asking people who were already in their careers for advice. And you know what? They had a lot of advice to give - so I’m hoping to share some of that good advice with you.
Contact me at allie.osmar(at)gmail(dot)com
I’ve recently joined forces with a few other amazing recent grads, who will be contributing to The Creative Career. You can read more about them below.
Joseph Tateoka
Joseph Tateoka joined the Ruder Finn/Chicago team in August 2007. He is an assistant account executive working with the Technology and Consumer practice groups focusing on B2C, marketing and wireless/telcom.
Prior to joining Ruder Finn, he worked for non-profit groups such as The Boys and Girls Club of Utah County and the Food and Care Coalition where he helped create and implement a PR program and generate fundraising ideas and materials for a new building project. Joseph also served as president of Brigham Young University’s Bradley Group, a student run PR firm and Account Assistant with The Walton Group, Inc. Joseph graduated with a B.A. in Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations from Brigham Young University, Utah.
Kevin Saghy
Kevin is an account coordinator with the Corporate Marketing team in Chicago, focusing on media relations, writing and influencer programs. He currently works with Kellogg’s, FedEx, Western Union, Best Buy’s Geek Squad, International Truck and Ketchum’s visibility teams.
Prior to joining Ketchum in 2007, Kevin completed internships with University Hospitals, a U.S. News & World Report Top 50 Hospital in Cleveland, OH; Buchanan & associates, a full-service brand communications firm in Columbus, OH; and the Ohio Northern University Sports Information Department. Kevin also founded a contracting company, KJS Contracting, which was hired by The Sherwin-Williams Company to install and relocate stores in the Midwest region for two summers.
Kevin serves on the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) 2008 International Conference Committee. He served as 2006-2007 National President of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) and remains active with the organization. Saghy filled a variety of other national and local leadership positions throughout his collegiate career.
Kevin graduated with high distinction from Ohio Northern University in May of 2007. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations with a business option.
Bryan Blaise
Bryan Blaise is an account executive in Fleishman-Hillard Chicago’s corporate reputation management practice, with experience in branding, reputation management, visual creative, media and digital outreach, and diverse community relations. Joining the company in April 2007, Bryan works on elevating visibility for clients such as AT&T Enterprise and Small Business, Motorola, and The Motorola Foundation and is consistently called upon for his keen eye and experience in design to produce impact-driven and meaningful creative elements for a variety of campaigns and programs. He also contributes to FH Out Front gay and lesbian communications practice, engaging in brand awareness and media relations for Olivia, The Commercial Closet Association, and Community Marketing, Inc.
Before joining Fleishman-Hillard, Bryan provided branding consultation to Shriners International Headquarters and media relations support for Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute. He also provided freelance marketing communications counsel and marketing design services for United Cerebral Palsy Child Development Centers, an Orlando-based organization for children with special needs, and served as a special events coordinator in the University of South Florida Office of the President, handling major million-dollar donor events and the university’s 50th anniversary event collateral.
A consummate workaholic and PR nerd, Bryan graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in mass communications – public relations and a minor in business administration from the University of South Florida in Tampa, Fla. He served his final year as vice president of regional activities on the Public Relations Student Society 2006-2007 National Committee, and is currently on the board of Chicago Public Relations Society of America, as the co-chair of the Young Professionals Network.
Bryan is a former national committee member for PRSA’s 60th Anniversary and Young Professionals Affinity Group. He is an active volunteer and participant in Chicago’s vibrant arts and pre-professional community. When not online, Bryan covers the Chicagoland area through various choir and dance performances, shopping sprees and most recently training for the Chicago marathon in support of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago.
