Caitlan Walzer

For Caitlan Walzer ‘18, Winthrop was more than just school. It was an opportunity center.

After getting involved with Greek life at Winthrop, she was able to take on leadership opportunities within her sorority, Alpha Delta Pi. After finding her footing as a student leader she began to pursue opportunities within the mass communication department. Walzer discovered The Johnsonian where she landed roles as arts and culture editor and later managing editor as an upperclassman. She was also a staff writer for Her Campus Winthrop. Walzer won several mass communication awards, including the Terry Plumb Writing Award and the Virginia Wilcox Design Award, as well as recognitions from The Johnsonian Staff of 1970 and the Rock Hill Herald.

“Being awarded as outstanding senior in journalism was truly a humbling experience because it showed me that no matter how many trials and tribulations one goes through in life and in school, your hard work does not go unnoticed and because of that, I am forever grateful to not only the whole mass communication department for their willingness to push me to my limits, but to Dr. William Joseph Schulte as well,” Walzer said.

“It's because of Dr. Schulte that I realized that life is not going to be handed to you. You have to work hard every day, every second and learn how to truly make a name for yourself,” she added.

Additionally, Walzer studied abroad, was president of the Society of Professional Journalists and was active in her minor in the theatre department as a stage manager and lighting technician for several productions.

All of these roles, Walzer said, helped prepare her for a career in public relations. She is currently director of public relations for Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology; a job she interviewed for two weeks after graduation. In this role, she works in marketing and advertising for each of the nine cosmetology school locations across South Carolina. She also monitors social media networks, produces online ads and radio campaigns, writes press releases and creates marketing materials for clients.

Walzer is excited to continue to grow and develop in the public relations field. She holds on to something she learned at Winthrop: to always work for a bigger goal.

“Don't expect the goal that you currently have set to be the end-goal. There's always something or someone that's going to push you further than you ever expected. In turn, there's always another goal that will be added to your list and you'll see, in the end, that everything you've gone through has been to get you to where you're truly meant to be,” she said.

 

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