M.A. Alumni Profile: Meet Erin Carlin, Manager, PR and Corporate Communications, St. Clair Health Alumni Profile
Meet Erin Carlin '14
- Job Title & Employer
- Manager, Public Relations and Corporate Communications, St. Clair Health
- Major/Program
- Media Communication-M.A.
- Hometown
- Glenshaw, Pa.
- High School
- Shaler Area High School
- Hobbies & Interests
- Travel enthusiast, foodie, bookworm, movie lover, craft beer fan
"Students get the best of both worlds with this graduate program. First, we explore the central principles of communications and their practical applications with both tenured and part-time faculty with practical experience. Second, we are given hands-on, real-world assignments in several courses that give us a chance to gain relevant experience, build a portfolio and expand our professional network."
Highlight your career path since graduating from Point Park University's M.A. program.
Thanks to encouragement from Camille Downing, I launched my career in public relations before completing my graduate program. I transitioned from a full-time to part-time student so I could continue my education while working at a boutique communications agency.
Since that time, I’ve spent most of my career working on the agency side for local firms including Markowitz Communications and Mindful Kreative, as well as full-service agency 9Rooftops (formerly MARC USA). Working for these agencies enabled me to gain invaluable experience due to the variety of work and range of clients.
After determining the PR specialties I most enjoyed and particular industries of interest, I knew I wanted to explore work on the brand side. This led me to pursue opportunities with Pittsburgh Three Rivers Marathon (P3R) — best known for organizing the annual DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon — and most recently, St. Clair Health.
What are your key responsibilities at St. Clair Health?
I work to build strong relationships throughout the organization so I can identify, develop and share stories that will make impactful connections with our target audiences. Through media relations, content marketing and other communications efforts, I help to ensure positive development of the St. Clair Health brand image by delivering efficient and effective messaging across internal and external communications channels.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Working in PR means that no day is ever the same as the last. Whether drafting communications on behalf of senior leaders or coordinating across departments to respond to a media inquiry, I get a chance to flex my creative muscles in different ways every day. And with the support of my colleagues on the marketing and development team, I feel empowered to find new ways to share the St. Clair Health story and strengthen our brand reputation.
What do you believe sets Point Park’s graduate program apart from other universities?
Students get the best of both worlds with this graduate program. First, we explore the central principles of communications and their practical applications with both tenured and part-time faculty with practical experience. Second, we are given hands-on, real-world assignments in several courses that give us a chance to gain relevant experience, build a portfolio and expand our professional network.
In what ways has Point Park put you on the path to reaching your career goals?
While my career path has felt more like riding a roller coaster than climbing a ladder at times, I have taken on progressively responsible roles and served as a part-time professor at my alma mater thanks to the relationships I formed with great professors and professionals at Point Park whom I admire and continue to learn from today.
What advice do you have for prospective students?
Always be learning — both inside and outside of the classroom — and take advantage of the unique opportunity to explore multiple career paths in communications with the new 4+1 program. You can earn both your Bachelor's and Master’s degrees in just five years! Plus, the program will enable you to pursue jobs in PR, advertising, social media and maybe even other areas.
Final thoughts?
It’s never too late to further your education and advance your career. I didn’t think I would return to school after starting but voluntarily leaving another graduate program in 2009. Choosing to attend Point Park to earn my Master’s was the best decision I have made for myself and my career. I would not be where I am today without my Point Park experience!