By Lauren Reyes, Communication Studies ‘17
Photo Courtesy Danielle Dirkx
Name: Danielle Dirkx
Major: Strategic Communication
Graduation Year: 2016
Hometown: Lake Oswego, Oregon
Current City: Fort Worth, Texas
What do you do?
Social media coordinator for Justin Brands
· Responsible for management of all organic and paid social strategy for all five boot brands within Justin Brands.
What previous experience did you have that helped you get your current job?
I was a social media intern for TCU Athletics and TCU Equestrian. I also was a marketing intern for Mortgage Financial Services where I launched their social platforms and curated campaigns to spark conversation about the company.
Describe what your job search was like during your senior year?
Strategic Communication majors have a different timeline than other programs. I didn’t start finalizing my résumé and narrowing my job search until the end of March. The entire month of April was basically dedicated to submitting résumés to the companies. I did not have a job lined up upon graduation. I found out about the position at Justin Brands a few days after graduation and applied. That interview process took about three weeks. I started my post-grad job at the end of May.
Do you have any advice for students searching for an internship or job?
Don’t stress if you don’t have a job offer right away. Most people within the strategic communication program don’t have offers until after graduation. That’s totally normal. I know it seems like everyone has their lives planned for after graduation, but trust me, they don’t.
Also, don’t take the first job you’re offered just because it’s a job. You have the freedom to be a little picky and figure out what works best for you.