My Experience as a Michelle Flowers Diversity Fellowship Recipient, By Ethan Chiu

In 2021, I received the inaugural Michelle Flowers Diversity Fellowship from PRSA Chicago. Since applications are now open for the next class of fellows, I’m sharing my experience of receiving the fellowship and what my career has been like.

I had learned about the fellowship from one of my advisors and was hesitant to apply at first but seeing a fellowship that was specifically for BIPOC students looking to enter the industry was affirming. I felt seen in an industry that I hadn’t felt representation in yet. After being selected for the fellowship and accepting, I interviewed with Current Global for a summer internship as the diversity, equity, and inclusion intern. I started in June 2021, and became a Junior Associate, DEI Communications and Integrated Media in December 2021. I’ve since had the chance to work with an amazing team of people that also truly care about the work.

At Current Global, I work on the DEI and corporate practice with several clients, including FedEx, Kingsford, Vroom, Pottery Barn, Heartland Alliance. Additionally, I work on our Accessible by Design commitment, which is Current Global’s commitment to making the industry more accessible for all. Through this work, I’ve learned a lot about accessibility, which was an area of DEI I hadn’t explored at all prior to this work. I’ve been able to work on award winning campaigns like Kingsford’s Preserve the Pit and the FedEx E-Commerce Learning Lab. and staff interviews with WGN News and CBS News Chicago.

My favorite part about Current Global is the people. Many of the VPs and managers I work with also started here as interns, which was inspiring to learn. Working with people that have been in my position and can teach me what they’ve learned is impactful and has inspired me and my growth as a young professional.

I recently had the opportunity to speak about my experiences at the PRSSA International ICON Conference. I was a keynote speaker alongside my colleague Sena Pottackal, speaking about Accessible Communications and our work with Accessible by Design. To be able to share and speak with other PR students about the impactful work we are doing and how much I’ve learned was incredible. This experience encouraged me to reflect on how I’ve come, and I am thankful that the fellowship has opened these pathways for myself and others.

My favorite mantra is that we lift as we climb, and my experience on this fellowship has felt like being brought onto the PR ladder by professionals and mentors before me. While everyone’s journey is unique, I encourage you to apply for or share the Michelle Flowers Diversity Fellowship to continue lifting as we climb.