Bethany Alexander, a Texas Tech University senior and self-proclaimed people-lover, has always been interested in communications, but until recently she was not a part of the College of Media & Communication.
The 21-year-old public relations major transferred from her original speech pathology route her junior year.
“People are my passion,” Alexander said. “Once I got into it, I realized this is totally where I need to be; you know, I will really be able to flourish in this realm versus where I wasn’t in the other.”
Bethany Alexander
The Fort Worth native explained her aunt, a speech pathologist, originally inspired her to pursue a career in the same field. Alexander attended speech therapy herself as a child. In turn, she said, she wanted to earn a degree that would enable her to help people.
“I thought it had to be in the medical field, and I realized it didn’t,” Alexander said. “We are obviously helping people with public relations. It’s all about the people, and that’s how I realized you can help people no matter where you’re at.”
Alexander currently serves as the Texas Tech Association for Women in Communications, AWC, president. Her role in the organization consists of coordinating events, speakers and monthly meetings for members.
“I think it’s so important that women can come together,” Alexander began, “and empower each other. It’s not a competition between us.”
The student mentioned she considers the program a type of networking sisterhood.
“The cool thing about this organization in particular,” Alexander said, “is that I could move to Chicago tomorrow, and find an AWC chapter there and get committed and get connected, and not be on my own in a new city.”
While an active member of the Kappa Zeta chapter of Chi Omega, Alexander said she knows sororities are not for everyone, and she appreciates AWC for providing another opportunity for women to connect through monthly meetings.
Alexander and the other Tech AWC officers plan ice breakers and arrange for speakers at meetings, which occur the first Tuesday of every month. A panel from the AWC’s Lubbock professional chapter will attend the April meeting to interact with students, she said. Members who have paid dues are eligible for a scholarship and are assigned a mentor from the communications field.
“My mentor last semester was an event planner,” Alexander said, “because in the big picture, that’s kind of what I want to do. So, it was cool to get to know her and see where she is and even shadow her.”
She said she enjoys the organizing portion of her leadership role because her future aspirations include a career in event planning.
“It is time consuming,” Alexander said, “but it’s something that I’m passionate about, and I think that’s important if you’re going to spend your time doing anything.”
Aside from leading Tech AWC, Alexander is involved with supporting Raider Special Olympics, aids with Texas Tech’s Define Your Line, a sexual communication initiative, and volunteers for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
“As a wish-granter, you’re able to get connected with a family,” Alexander said of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, “and you can present the child their wish.”
She mentioned a family friend who is a “Wish Kid,” or a child with an illness eligible to have one of his or her wishes to be granted. According to Alexander, the child’s family was able to participate on the popular game show, Family Feud.
“I got first hand experience how Make-A-Wish had effected other people’s lives before I even got in the organization,” she said.
According to Alexander, she is set to graduate from the university in May 2016.
“I want to work for a PR agency for five to 10 years,” Alexander said. “And then, hopefully at that point I’ll be able to open up my own event venue. So, I’d love to have concerts and weddings and be the official event planner for it — and also own the venue.”
The senior elaborated on her gratitude for the new career path of public relations within the College of Media & Communication.
“I’ve just had so many different opportunities in this college,” Alexander said, noting her love of public relations. “It’s definitely a growing field, and there’s so much opportunity. Think of all of the places we could work: magazines, firms, agencies, you know, pretty much anywhere.”
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