A Q&A with Briana Harper, Michelle Flowers Diversity Fellowship Recipient
Briana Harper, a 2023 Michelle Flowers Diversity Fellow, conducted research for clients and learned more about the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion as part of her summer internship. In this Q&A interview, she shares more about those experiences and plans for a PR career.
How did the Michelle Flowers Diversity Fellowship help you as a college student?
This fellowship helped me tremendously in exploring the PR field outside the traditional classroom setting. Before the fellowship, I was gaining communication/marketing experience within my university, but I was not involved in anything specifically in the PR field. Through this fellowship, I got a glimpse of what PR is. The company, Current Global, connected me with the internship and got my foot in the door to the field. Now, I feel more confident in wanting to pursue a career in PR!
How has the Michelle Flowers Diversity Fellowship impacted your career development or future work aspirations?
This role fueled my interest in getting more experience in the PR field, especially in research, DEI, and multicultural work. Through the internship, I was able to conduct research for our clients and attend workshops dedicated to the importance of DEI. Through these experiences, my interest grew outside of the internship and allowed me to research independently into multicultural work in PR as well.
Applications are now open for the Michelle Flowers Diversity Fellowship. The official deadline for all applications is January 31, 2024.
What's next for you in your college career?
Currently, in my college career, I am starting my senior capstone project, and then I will be graduating this spring. Throughout this semester, I will still be mentoring other college students as a Senior Peer Success Coach and working as a Director in Account Management for my university’s marketing agency, five94’ Marketing Solutions.
Briana Harper
Senior, University of Illinois Chicago
Communication major with a minor in Business Administration
Chicago, Illinois
