Influential Woman · Communications

Alana Lowery

Theater Production Assistant, Charleston Southern University

Pageland, SC

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Communications degree from Charleston Southern

Her Story

About Alana

I've been in the communications field for a little over two years, with my main expertise in public relations and social media. My career started in college through an internship with Buck News, where I served as the podcast editor and we built a news network from the ground up - something I'm incredibly proud of as my biggest professional achievement. That network came together in just one year and continues to operate today. I also gained valuable experience doing social media work for Charleston Southern, where I handled mascot duties, took the mascot to various places, and managed campus apps. On a typical day, I write strategies, do script writing, and handle content planning and posting. What really shaped who I am professionally was my four years with a theater company - honestly, if I hadn't done theater, I don't think I'd be in the position I am today, because it taught me to put myself out there and gave me the confidence to do all these different things. I was initially on the fence about what I wanted to do with so many different majors available, but I chose communications because it offered so many possibilities. By my freshman year, I figured out that PR and social media was exactly what I wanted to do.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Alana

01What do you attribute your success to?

I think what attributes to my success is probably my family always having my back. I think that has always been the biggest thing that has contributed to it. They have been there through the whole process, and I think that has contributed a big part. Without their support and everything, I would not be where I am today.

02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

I would say to just put yourself out there, do everything you can, and make sure that you focus on the things you want to do, and not what you expect, but do what you want to do. Don't do what other things or other people say to do. I would say to put yourself first and to make sure you love what you're doing.

03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

I would say that definitely the system of marketing and stuff is a little different these days, because people are definitely looking for marketing, but at the same time they're not, so it's a difficult market to try to go into and get the PR and stuff for it. I think that truly people need it, but they don't know where to look, and I think that's the hard part, so I'm trying to reach out to people and do that. I think the tools are so accessible, but I think the thing that's missing is the authenticity from a human. I think that the authenticity and the transparency - we will be more accurate because we will go out and think and use those tools, then cross-check everything, rather than just accepting what's wrong.

04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

I think my creativity and honestly, the honesty of it - I think that's something that's so important to me. Creativity and honesty. I think that honesty makes everything better.

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