Our Crater X Cambrian College Public Relations: Katelyn Grenko

Many of the Our Crater team members have a background in Public Relations and Communications, so we set out to interview some of our fellow PR graduates from Sudbury who have already launched their professional careers! Read on to find out their stories and what advice they have for incoming students and recent graduates.   Today’s Public Relations graduate is: Katelyn Grenko!

Occupation: Marketing & Events Coordinator

Employer: Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce

Do you have a favourite memory from Cambrian College?

It’s hard for me to choose one favourite memory since I really enjoyed all of my time at Cambrian. I played on the varsity soccer team during my first year and met a lot of great people, every game and road trip was pretty unforgettable.

I also really enjoyed the friendships that began during my time there, since the classes were small you really got to know one and other. It was nice to have great friends to lean on when times were stressful and to celebrate successes with.

What inspired you to choose Public Relations at Cambrian College/why should others consider this program?

To be honest I had a really hard time deciding what career path to embark on. A few friends and a high school teacher suggested I look in to PR. When I learned more about the program I felt like it would be the right fit for me since it was so hands on and it could lead to various career options afterwards.

I really loved that I was able to get a taste of so many different courses to see what I was really passionate about. It was also an attractive option to be able to 1. stay in Sudbury and 2. continue my education at Laurentian University after my program and earn a degree in a condensed amount of time.   

What is the most memorable moment of your career so far?

The first thing that comes to mind is when I gave a presentation alongside my Vice President at the 2016 CEO Winter Conference & Annual General Meeting for Chamber Executives of Ontario in Brampton. Our President & CEO was so proud of us and so many people came up to us afterwards and gave such great feedback. It was the first conference I attended and not to mention the first presentation I ever gave in my professional career.

What is something you hope to achieve in your career?

I hope to continue being passionate about what I do every day. I don’t think everyone enjoys going to work but I do, and that’s a feeling I never want to lose. I constantly entertain my mind with ideas of side projects I want to start and hopefully one day I can turn those ideas into a reality.

Do you have any advice for new PR grads or students who are just entering the program?

Treat your program as if it’s your full time job. Talk to your coordinator or professor when you have a question or idea, hand in your assignments on time and invest in your work. Be as involved as your time allows you to be.

Look in to joining the United Way’s Young Leaders on Board Program and volunteer your time on a board in the community – you’ll meet new people and gain a ton of experience.

One last thing!

I also have to acknowledge one major opportunity that the PR program provided me and that was the two month placement. Having had the option of completing a placement in any city we wanted allowed me to go to British Columbia which played an in integral role in not only my career but molding me into the person I am today. I learnt so much about the real world, I gained experienced in my field and it led me to the job I have today.