Meet Kenleigh Merritt, a dynamic professional whose journey in the field of Public Relations is as vibrant as the cities she traverses. Graduating from BU’s College of Communication in 2023 with a major in Public Relations, Merritt resides in Connecticut but works in New York City. Her daily commute serves as a metaphor for her seamless transition from academia to the professional world, embodying resilience and determination. With a passion for amplifying voices and a commitment to lifelong learning, Merritt’s story is a testament to the transformative power of education and passion in the realm of PR.
Q: What initially sparked your interest in pursuing a career in public relations, and why did you choose this field over others?
A: I grew up with a lot of passions and wasn’t entirely sure where college would take me. Anyone who knows me knows I like to spread the word about what I love, whether it’s the dinner I just ate or a groundbreaking performance from my favorite artist. Public relations allows us the opportunity to amplify the voices of the companies, brands, products and experiences that we love. There are so many organizations out there doing amazing work that the world needs to know about! I love how diverse PR is in terms of the opportunities – it gives you the chance to be creative, strategic, and collaborative – which all suit my personality. It feels like a great fit for what I am good at and feel passionate about.
Q: How did your experience at Boston University’s College of Communication shape your understanding and passion for PR?
A: I came to BU as a transfer student, and felt so drawn to the College of Communication because of the unique offerings. It is one of the best programs in the country, and I was so excited to get to know my classmates and professors. When I arrived, the program did not disappoint. At COM, there is a huge focus on giving students real-life experiences, or at the very least simulating them in a classroom setting. I had so many amazing professors who gave me the opportunity to present PR strategies in front of my peers, write pitches, send them to reporters, and work with real clients to promote their work.
Q: Reflecting on your time at BU, can you share with us your favorite class or professor related to PR, and what made that experience memorable or impactful?
A: My favorite class during my time in COM would have to be CM331 with Professor Sender. From the first day in class, he made it abundantly clear we would be doing work that true media professionals do in their day to day, and he was right! Each project and assignment was carefully crafted to reflect what we would experience post grad. His feedback on assignments was constructive and informative, and it helped me push myself to become a better writer and think outside the bounds of a classroom setting. One assignment that stands out was our cover letter assignment, where we had to write a professional cover letter to a potential employer. I used the notes and outline that I have from this lesson and assignment, each time I wrote a new cover letter while applying for jobs. In fact, the cover letter I sent in for the job I now have was based off the one from his class, following his instructions, even years after I finished his course. He also emphasized the importance of community, relationships with your colleagues and networking. He reminded us that we weren’t just each other’s classmates, we were professional peers. Best class ever! #YoSender
Q: Transitioning from academia to the professional world, how was the post-graduation job search experience for you? Any challenges or surprises along the way?
A: I began the search for my career a few weeks after graduation. I knew I wanted to take some time to finish up school and all of my activities, and fully dedicate myself to job searching. When I began searching, I used all of the tools I learned throughout my time at BU. I used BU Connects, and was able to get in touch with some alumni to discuss their career and experience when they were in my shoes!
Although, despite your best efforts, sometimes the job search can feel a bit out of your control. It’s important to keep your head up after you’ve received rejections, no responses, or even after you’ve gotten an offer but it wasn’t the right fit. There are ups and downs, but BU prepares you to handle them with professionalism and strength.
Q: You currently hold the position of Account Coordinator at SolComms. Could you tell us more about your role and responsibilities within the company?
A: SolComms is a small agency that has made a big splash since it started, just less than a year ago. In my role as Account Coordinator, I am mainly responsible for what my directors call “keeping the trains moving.” All things administrative – scheduling client calls, creating call agendas and recaps, curating briefing document for client interviews with reporters, building targeted media lists to pitch our clients to top tier publications. I am currently on five accounts, and have had the opportunity to work across accounts in the healthcare and consumer sectors. This has allowed me the opportunity to immerse myself in different industries and work with incredible, passionate clients.
Q: What attracted you to SolComms, and how do you feel your education and experiences at BU prepared you for this role?
A: I was drawn to SolComms because I knew I would have the opportunity to learn, especially in a start up setting. Having just graduated, I know I still have a lot to learn as I embark on my career. SolComms identifies as as an “Integrated Communications Agency For Startups And Scale-Ups At The Intersection Of Corporate And Consumer” and I was drawn to the list of clients at the agency. With a background in food wine and spirits, and I was excited to see a range of clients from consumer to healthcare to corporate. I was confident SolComms would give me the opportunity to expand my horizons, which has reigned true throughout my time there.
While I still have lots to learn, I felt equipped with knowledge because of my BU COM education. As I mentioned, so much of my experience at COM was rooted in real-life, immersive experience. Specifically, I was in PRLab during my time at BU and it gave me a sense of what it would be like to work in an agency setting, which I was grateful for as I stepped into my professional career. Many of the same skill sets I learned in PRLab are applicable in my day to day at SolComms.
Q: Can you share any particularly memorable projects or campaigns you’ve worked on during your time at SolComms?
A: A memorable project during my time at SolComms thus far has been helping our client, Lightfully Behavioral Health, launch their initiative “LightfullyU,” which is an evidence-based, empathetic, clinical mental healthcare solution for college students struggling with their mental health. I worked collaboratively with my team to put together media materials, pitch the news and secure placements in top tier outlets. During this project, I had my first experience staffing an interview between our client and a reporter. While this was intimidating, I dove in head first and established myself as a PR professional! One of my first media placements was born from this experience in an article on MedCity News. It was a very proud moment, and I felt grateful to have the support of my team, guiding me through one of my first big campaign launches.
Q: In your opinion, what are some key skills or qualities that aspiring PR professionals should cultivate to thrive in the industry?
A: PR requires focus, strategy, creativity, and humanity. At the end of the day, we are all people trying to share what we are passionate about. It is truly inspiring to meet the founders of companies SolComms’ represents, hear their stories, and have the chance to uplift their voice. It’s important to be organized and focused in this industry – it can sometimes feel like everything is moving at the speed of light. I consider myself a very organized person, and this role has pushed me, refining my skills even further.
Q: How do you stay updated on industry trends and developments, and how important do you think ongoing learning is in the field of PR?
A: I have learned something new every day since embarking on my PR career; academic and now professional. The industry is constantly evolving and it is crucial to keep your finger on the pulse. At SolComms, we are an extremely collaborative agency, and we share news with each other every day. In terms of client service, it’s important to check daily what is happening in their respective industries to find where we can help them get their voice into conversation.
Q: Looking ahead, what are your career aspirations in the field of Public Relations, and do you have any specific goals you’re working towards?
A: My biggest goal is to continue expanding my horizons and refining my skills with each experience. At SolComms, I have had the chance to work on healthcare clients and consumer clients within the wellness space. I never would have thought I’d be working with healthcare clients, but this experience allowed me to learn and open myself up to a new world. I had to adapt; it was challenging but very rewarding. Looking to my career long term, I have so many personal passions that I’d love to integrate into my professional career. During my time at BU, I was a member of the BU Treblemakers as well as BU On Broadway. I love performance and music, and would love to have the opportunity to work in entertainment PR. My previous agency experiences were in the food wine and spirits industry, and I would eventually love to return to that, as well. PR is an industry with endless opportunity, and I plan on diving in head first.
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