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Written by Nina Elias, a Professional Writing Junior

Katy (far left) at a State News dinnerAre you finding it hard to get a job related to your major, or even to something that you love doing? I caught up with Katy Homanick, the Advertising Manager for the State News. She’s an Advertising senior with a Public Relations specialization, and she’s had some exciting work experiences related to her major and interests!

Homanick has quite a track record of going after opportunities that interest her and relate to her major. As a freshman, she enjoyed listening to the Impact radio station so she simply applied and soon after became a morning DJ! Since Public Relations interests her, she became involved with the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). In her sophomore year, she “loved reading the State News”, and thus applied for an advertising position with the student-run newspaper. With hobbies including running, golfing and living a vegetarian lifestyle for ten years, she cleary enjoys healthy living and an active lifestyle, which led her to an internship with the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness.

It is important that you don’t get discouraged, even if you have to start at entry-level positions to get your dream job. At the State News, Katy had to work her way up from team leader, to the Senior Account Executive, to the Web Manager, and finally to the coveted position of Advertising Manager.

You might think you won’t have the time or experience to get a job that you can connect with your major yet. But it is more manageable than you think. Katy concedes, “It may seem like a lot” but adds, "don’t let it deter you. Just remember in the end you're attending college to get a job, so if you can have a job that will help you get a job too--do it!”

So what enabled Katy to have such amazing, major-related opportunities? She says she thrives on “new experiences and putting myself out there. If I like something I want to be apart of it.” Put simply, Katy’s advice is to “find what you love and be apart of it.” She used tools and resources available to all Spartans, like MySpartanCareer. She concludes, "my best piece of advice I can give is to make yourself available. Let people know you’re looking and stay on the forefront of events taking place on campus.”

What are you passionate about? Find a position that matches your interests and go for it!