Jacob Barrett

Photo courtesy Jacob Barrett

  • Hometown: Mars, PA
  • Graduation Year: 2012
  • Company and Position Title: Austin Independent School District, Media Relations
    Coordinator
  • STCO Concentration (Ad, PR, or Integrated): Integrated

Why TCU?

The campus community, care and professors’ commitment to student-focused outcomes and growth are visible priorities.

Why Strategic Communication?

Communicating effectively in a world filled with new and emerging ways to communicate is essential for both new organizations and old to be relevant.

What does your typical day consist of?

Answering reporter requests and finding ways to weave district priorities and storylines into media stories.

Advice (or skill) for STCO students to focus on to be better prepared for the work world?

Build your confidence so you can say no. You will get so much BS in your workday and need to bill yourself as a person who can help build value rather than as an enabler who is a “yes (wo)man” who is pulled in every direction for every small story or event that won’t build value.

Why did you decide to make the switch to the PR side?

I still do both so I don’t really consider it a switch, rather more of an emphasis. I do like the individual relationship building that PR encompasses. It empowers you.

What is the most challenging part of working with Austin ISD?

Bureaucracy and being so publicly visible. Everyone has an opinion and thinks they know what is best.