Alumni in Action
Alumni Spotlight: Taylor Crowley
Current job title
Communications/Operations Assistant for a nonprofit in San Diego, California.
Describe your current position
I write press releases to send to local media outlets, newsletter and social media content, website copy, and other writing tasks. I serve as a second eye for the Executive Director and frequently proofread and edit documents before release. My role is highly focused on communications, so I attend outreach events, interact with local media, and speak with donors.
To what extent does writing relate to your current position? / What type of writing/design do you do for work?
I write every day for work! I love that I can explore my creativity by writing posts for our social media, website, and newsletters. I adore drafting monthly eBlasts, where I write about happenings at the organization. Our subscriber list is over 14k, so it's awesome to see people interacting with the work we put out.
Please briefly describe your path from graduation at GVSU to your current position.
As a person who graduated just six months before the pandemic started, it's important to say that it was difficult transitioning into the professional world. I was working as a freelancer for two companies and worked a restaurant job to supplement my monthly income. I felt compelled to go back to school, so I applied to the NYU Summer Publishing Institute and received my certificate in June 2021. After that, I interviewed for about six months and then accepted my current position!
What parts of the writing major had the strongest impact on you as a professional?
The mentorship I received from my professors! I saw my professors as professional connections after graduating and have sought advice from many of them since. I loved getting involved with the Writing Department's extracurricular opportunities, like InWriting and fishladder. I felt part of a community within the Writing Department and that sense of support/experience helped me become a team player and well-rounded professional.
What advice would you offer to current/future writing majors at Grand Valley?
Never ever give up on what you've always dreamed about. Every experience is an opportunity to explore yourself, and you never know what doors can open for you when you're open-minded. Do note that not every opportunity is a good opportunity. Stay true to your dreams, know your skills, and keep working toward your goals.
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