Cara McGuinness

I'm originally from Toronto, Canada, but I'm currently living in Tuscaloosa, Alabama pursuing my Master's in Advertising and Public Relations at the University of Alabama. I did my undergrad at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, where I completed a four-year honors degree, Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies. That's really where I got my start and what put me on this path. My first big role that set me on this career trajectory was serving as the communications manager for a collegiate automotive engineering competition put on by the U.S. Department of Energy. There, I got to collaborate with colleagues across the U.S. and Canada, did a lot of traveling, and was involved in strategic communication competition where we had to present in front of a panel of judges at year-end. It was a combination of day-to-day tasks and a competitive atmosphere that really kept me engaged. That role is what got me on the path of PR, and through it, I got to meet faculty in my current program, which was named 2025 PR Week Top 3 program. Now, as a junior media planner at Capstone Agency, a student-run firm here on campus, I handle a portfolio of about 7 clients. My work involves breaking down all the verticals in our PR agency and moving through different sectors to make sure things get pushed along properly and meet our client needs, whether that's pitching, writing media releases, or other responsibilities. I have a pretty diverse background industry-wise, from automotive to celebrity and entertainment, and I've definitely caught the agency bug. My future career goals include political PR, which connects back to my original pre-law track, but in a new arena that's less boxed in and more creative from the ground up, which is really where I thrive.