Sarah Aldrich
Professional Writing, 2010
Sarah Aldrich
I was lucky to know some pretty
BA – Professional Writing, 2010
great people within the College
Communications Manager
and took full advantage of it. My
Founders Brewing Co.
jobs and internships during school
Grand Rapids, Michigan
got me my job at Founders. I had
The professional writing program
focused on applying everything we
learned to a professional context.
We learned how to be effective
communicators in every sense of
the word.
I write and/or oversee the creation
and execution of all the company’s
external communications–including
print, online presence and media
campaigns. I also act as webmaster,
writing all website copy and creating
or overseeing the creation of
all content.
At CAL, we learned how to write
for an audience, and to create
documents that were informative,
useful and looked good—three
things that are impossible
to separate.
interviewed one of the founders for
a class project; when this position
opened, he called and asked me to
apply. And I had the experience to
make an effective case for myself
during the interview.
My advice to students is to do
internships, study abroad, take risks,
take classes that interest you and
dedicate yourself to them. Have fun.
Get to know your classmates and
professors, because they will be the
base of your professional network.
Don’t follow in my footsteps—do
your own thing. I didn’t see myself in
this position when I was a student.
That’s what’s cool about it. As long
as you dedicate yourself to what
you’re doing, doors will open
for you.
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