Alumni Spotlight
Katie Corban
by: Reagan Young, student PR intern
Katie Corban received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations in 2008 from Mississippi State University. She returned to MSU and received her Master’s in Higher Education and Student Affairs in 2011.
The Tupelo, Miss., native now resides in Starkville, Miss., serving as Marketing and Communications Director for Student Affairs and Access, Diversity, and Inclusion at MSU.
After Corban completed her Master’s, she realized she wanted a job that would utilize both her degrees.
“This position was the perfect match of joining my communication and marketing background with my higher education knowledge and passion,” Corban said.
Daily tasks for Corban include overseeing the digital signage on campus; helping develop communication plans, web content, social media and print pieces; conducting training; facilitating Spirit of State Awards, RAK Week, Out of State Student Social; managing a team of one coordinator, two graduate assistants, two student graphic designers, two student videographers, and sometimes two social media student workers.
Several internships prior to this job prepared Corban for her current position. She recommends students engaging in experiences that will help them learn skills for future jobs.
“I think the more experiences you can have the better to help you figure out what you really want to do and you will utilize the skills you learn all along the way,” Corban said.
As undergraduate students are on the hunt for a job, Corban recommends fine tuning personal interview skills and even finding a mentor to help navigate the job search process.
Corban did not feel totally qualified for most of the jobs she applied for. But now looking back, she encourages students to do the same and apply anyways.
“Always apply, even if you think you aren't qualified. Every job that I have gotten I would read the job description and think I don't know if I know how to do that,” Corban said. “I would then be hired and by the end of the first year be doing everything on the list and more. So know that you can learn and make that known when interviewing.”
Favorite memory as a communication student?
I was just offered a lot of opportunities while a student. One of the best was serving as the representative for the department on the Dean's Council for the College.
Favorite communication class you took and why?
Interviewing and Copy and Layout (now Production) because I still utilize the skills from both of those classes almost daily.
Most valuable lesson learned from the communication department?
How to sell myself during an interview and how to use inDesign.
Any funny stories from your time in McComas?
There was one time I was walking with class and started hearing a noise behind me. I was about 30 steps from the side door of McComas and looked back and a sheet of rain was coming towards me luckily, I ran and got in the building before it hit me but it was just a really crazy moment!
Favorite communication professor and why?
Laura Walton and Kelli Anthony, both of whom I am still in touch with, the two of these educators really invested in me and helped me see my potential and know that I had made the right decision in choosing my major as PR.