Julie Weber, 2006

Being armed with the skills to write . . .will make you stand apart in almost every discipline.

What work are you doing now?

As the Director of Marketing and Communications at the Washington, D.C., Economic Partnership I lead communication and marketing strategies through print, social, in-person, and digital channels to increase awareness of and interest in businesses working in or with Washington, D.C. On any given day, I'm crafting creative copy, writing a press release, putting together editorial content for our website, planning out social media copy, or working with designers on the next marketing campaign.

What do you like about it?

When I started my career as a writer, editing contracts and then writing for business magazines, I realized that writing in those capacities lacked the creative flare that I was hoping to achieve during my professional track. In my current role, I am able to really think about how people read messaging, and then analyze best practices and craft narrative that people get, relate to, and act on.

How did your degree in the college prepare you to do this work?

As a writer, especially with a focus in creative writing, I'm able to apply my skills across many disciplines. In my line of work — the communications field — employers are constantly on the hunt for strong, imaginative writers and word masters. Tools, metrics, channels - these are always shifting and changing. Regardless of your major, you have to be a constant student of that "next big thing." Being armed with the skills to write, however, is a trait that I have found many lack. It will make you stand apart in almost every discipline.

What advice would you give current students about developing their careers?

With social and digital channels on the rise, I am amazed at the lack of imagination and creativity in the job market today. Being well versed, well read, and being true to that thing that makes you, well, you — these have all been powerful assets throughout my career. As English majors, we study those who not only have a story to tell, but were bold enough to tell it — fiction or not. I have learned that while the world doesn't feel short of story tellers ‑ with the digital access we now have to voice any and all perspectives —people are hungry for genuine, authentic, and skilled people to tell their stories.

Department of English at George Mason University

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Julie Weber