Member Spotlight: Lexie Warth
Tell us about yourself.
I attended Grand View University right out of high school to study corporate communications/political science and to play volleyball. After a year and a half at GV, I realized I wasn't getting the pre-professional experience I was craving and wanted to pursue public relations.
After doing some research, PRSSA was something that drew me to transfer to UNI. I held four different leadership roles within the organization, including chapter president my senior year, and attended many regional and national events. Currently, I work at Two Rivers Marketing as a strategic communications coordinator working mainly with manufacturing clients. My daily duties include media relations and writing.
You were on the job hunt during the pandemic. Can you talk a little bit about that and how you prepared? Did PRSSA give you any experience that helped?
I knew job hunting in the middle of the pandemic was going to be difficult. After moving back home in the middle of my final semester at UNI, I knew I had to be open minded when it came to finding a job in a small town and in the middle of a very saturated job market. I took an opportunity at a local appliance and kitchen design store, an industry I'd never worked in or even thought about.
During my time there, I constantly kept my eye out for new opportunities. I've heard of so many people that apply for all kinds of jobs in any area. Although that's not necessarily bad, I think if you narrow down the location and the type of work you want to do, it can be very beneficial for both you and the potential employer. For me, I knew I wanted to be in Des Moines and I wanted to work in an agency. Once I saw that Two Rivers Marketing had openings, I applied immediately because of my previous encounters with the agency.
Holding leadership roles within PRSSA helped on so many different levels. Specifically, it gave me the confidence to reach out to professionals in the industry and helped me develop a professional network. During my college career, I had been to 2RM two different times on agency visits. This helped me to already know a little about the agency, how it worked and the kind of culture they had. This also helped me to grow my professional network during those times, so I had a few connections at the agency. I wouldn't have the job I do today without my involvement in PRSSA.
How did you get involved with PRSA Iowa? Why did joining make sense for you?
After having experience in PRSSA and seeing the continued education and professional development provided by PRSA, it was a no brainer. We had worked with some members of PRSA throughout my time with the student organization, and it just seemed like the best way to continue evolving as a PR professional and grow my network in the beginning stages of my career.
What advice do you have for recent grads?
Be open minded, you never know what a job or connection can turn into down the road. Also, utilize your network! If you're in PRSSA, surely you have met so many peers and professionals, and mostly everyone is willing to help. Put yourself out there, there's no harm in trying.
