Name/class year: Erin Murphy '03
Major: Communication Arts
Minor: Economics
Employment: Video and Live Events Producer, Flying Colors Broadcasts
City: Buffalo
College Involvement: Alpha Chi Omega, Gator Activities Programming (GAP), Orchesis
Her Advice to Students:
"Be open to starting your career where you least expect it."
Working for a growing company means that Erin Murphy sees projects through from start to finish.
In her position with Flying Colors Broadcasts, she coordinates large live events around the world and handles nearly every aspect of video productions—interacting with clients, hiring camera crews, collaborating with editors, writing scripts, and scheduling and conducting interviews. Her goal is to convey a client's message in a creative, coherent way.
A communication arts major and economics minor, Murphy credits Allegheny with teaching her to solve problems and communicate effectively with a variety of individuals. "A lot of life in the real world involves being able to work with people in many different capacities and come up with solutions for your company or your clients," she says.
Murphy says students who can think on their feet-demonstrating that they can react quickly and calmly when problems arise-have a distinct advantage over other candidates in the job search process. And she views the senior comprehensive project as an excellent way for students to develop the confidence needed to make those critical decisions.
"Be open to starting your career where you least expect it," she advises, noting that an internship after graduation can lead to an enjoyable full-time job. "I think graduates often feel frustrated by not landing their dream job right after graduation, but get some experience in the work force and you'll build skills that are valuable to all employers."
The First Five is a series of profiles celebrating the accomplishments of recent Allegheny College graduates in their first five years as alumni. Read more First Five profiles here.
