Modern and classical languages
Austin Langlois '13
Employer
Sr. Communications Manager / Royal Philips
LinkedIn Profile
https://www.linkedin.com/in/austinlanglois/
1. Tell us about your journey since graduation.
After graduation, I started as a global PR specialist at Amway
before moving to Miami to work at a boutique tech PR agency. However,
after realizing that move wasn't for me, in true millennial fashion, I
sold everything, booked a one-way ticket to Bali, and ended up opening
my own communications consultancy and working remotely while traveling
the world for two years. In 2020, I embarked on a new journey, back
into the corporate world, taking a comms position in Amsterdam, the
Netherlands, where I live now.
2. Share a favorite Grand Valley memory.
A huge part of my experience at GVSU was working as a tour guide
in Admissions. I started as a Freshman and ended up giving tours until
I graduated. Not only was it a great way to meet new people and learn
how universities work, it also helped me greatly improve my public
speaking skills, talking to strangers and getting them to fall in love
with GVSU - all skills that have benefited me in my PR career :)
3. What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?
One of the best managers I've had gave me advice that I'll always
remember: "Sometimes you have to realize the ship has sailed -
and you're either on-board or you're left standing on the dock."
A lot in life (and work) you can argue about or try to improve - but
there are just sometimes you have to accept a decision or a situation
and move on.
4. List three words you would use to describe your Grand
Valley experience.
Eye-opening. Personalized. Life-shaping.
5. What difference would you like to make in the world?
I'd like to make an impact in reducing climate change - it's an
issue where evidence-based solutions exist but we often lack the
motivation, incentive or desire to change. However, there's great
opportunity to make these solutions a reality at scale, and it's an
area I'm personally interested in supporting - making our world a
cleaner, healthier place to be.
February 2022
Interest Area(s)
Adv Public Relations, Spanish
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