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Describe your place of employment.
JFK is an Archdiocesan high school in St. Louis County. We prepare students in a coeducational, Catholic environment (that combination is relatively rare in the St. Louis area) for colleges like Mizzou.

What do you do?
As a director of development, (one of two) I am responsible for the annual giving campaign, recruiting of students to the high school, public relations and community relations.

How did you get your job?
After 25 years in journalism and public relations, I was looking for something less corporate. Through many networking interviews, I learned that development requires the same writing, judgment and communications skills I've used over the years. I actually applied for this job after my daughter enrolled in the school, and I learned through the parent newsletter that my predecessor was retiring. I had no development experience but got the job anyway.

Best professional lesson learned at J-School?
Be accurate and persistent.

What is your favorite J-School memory?
That's tough. When I graduated almost 30 years ago, the things I remember most are things I'd like to forget. I think what I recall most fondly was the opportunity to report news for radio on a daily basis for two years (yes, radio news really existed back in the '70s).

What would be your best advice to current students?
Get as much professional experience you can, and do it in more than one outlet of journalism. I loved radio and thought I'd stay in it forever, but in 15 years of journalism I worked in radio, TV and print.

What are you working on currently?
I direct the annual giving campaign at Kennedy High School, trying to raise nearly $100,000 for the first time in school history. I'm also trying to elevate our image to reflect the quality education we provide.

What do you consider to be your greatest professional achievement?
I've done a lot of things I'm proud of, but I most enjoyed managing a media relations campaign that received a Silver Anvil, the highest award presented by the Public Relations Society of America, in 2000.

What makes you good at your job?
I work well with anyone and try to address problems from a strategic standpoint.

Who would you like to work with and why, or where would you most like to work?
I would love to make my living in public relations or fundraising for political candidates.

What are your next career steps?
I'm focused on learning the field of development, which I've been a part of less than two years.

What is one thing you wished you had done?
Double majored in something in addition to broadcast journalism.