My big break came after graduating from the Journalism and PR program at Metropolitan State College-Denver in May 1998. My job search opportunities were progressing rather slowly, and I had not been on an interview for several weeks. That's when an opportunity for a PR position arose at GD&A Advertising & Public Relations in Boulder, CO. It was more than 40 miles from my southwest Denver home, so I knew I would not be working there.
Still, I figured it would be good practice and help keep my skills sharp until the next interview.
The practice interview went surprisingly well. During it, I also discovered that the PR director at GD&A had worked for the same TV and radio broadcast company I'd worked for in Kansas, and GD&A was actually planning to move to Denver soon. I was called back for a second interview, hired, and have worked my way from account coordinator to account manager to PR supervisor specializing in medical and tech accounts.
I'm now a partner in the company, located in beautiful downtown Denver.
Who would have thought that a practice interview would turn out to be my best career move?