Member Monday- Calysta Will

Tell us about yourself. 

I am a junior public relations major with a minor in writing. I am the youngest of five children, the only girl and a twin. I spent half of my childhood in Boston, and when I am not at school I live with my family in Grayslake, Ill.

What are you involved in outside of PRSSA?

For the past two years I have been a peer instructor for the Success 101 program, which is a course that helps first year students transition from high school to college. I also work as an assistant for the Watterson area office and currently hold two internships.

Could you tell us more about those internships?

Sure! I am a marketing and communications intern for Special Olympics Illinois working under Michele Evans, who has been an incredible mentor. On a daily basis, I help create all of the publications, such as writing and editing press releases, biographies, newsletters and feature stories. I have also helped compose press kits and design advertisements for events.

And what about your second internship?

This internship is more project-based. Throughout the semester, I have been working with the Student Government Association through the Dean of Students Office with John Davenport, the faculty advisor. The Student Government Association is in the middle of restructuring and updating their transition materials, and that is where I come in. Thankfully, I took COM 297, research methods, last semester. It has been a great help in the research and survey portion of this project. To put it simply, my job is to design a more clear and concise transition book for incoming members.

What do you enjoy most about your internships?

I really appreciate how much I have been able to get hands-on experience and apply some of the concepts I have learned in my classes to the work I produce. I also could not have better people supervising me. I thoroughly enjoy working with both Michele and John because they have really taken the time to teach me and allow me to build on my skill sets while creating a safe work environment where I am able to learn without fear of making mistakes.

How have your internships helped you as a public relations major?

Like I mentioned before, I have really been given a great opportunity to practice what I have learned in my classes. I think the best way to improve and apply knowledge is to get out there and do it. I suppose overall, I am learning to talk the talk and walk the walk!


Questions composed by Stacy Sullivan

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