Her Story
About Caroline
I've been in my field coming up on 10 years. I started for 5 years in political communications, took a detour doing technology sales, and now I'm back in the political communications, public affairs space for the last 3 years. My natural strengths were always writing and communicating, and I had a mom who was in PR. After graduating from the University of Texas in Austin, I secured an internship with my home state representative Michael McCall and quickly got the political bug. My first job was press assistant at the House Homeland Security Committee where he was chairman. I focused on national security issues, cybersecurity, emergency preparedness, and dealing with agencies like FEMA. My boss set up CISA, the Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency. When he moved to the House Foreign Affairs Committee, I became his press secretary and then Director of Member Services, leading his communications team at around 25 or 26 years old despite having no background in foreign policy. After 5 years on the Hill, I was ready to get back home to Texas, so I joined a tech startup called Hyperscience, selling their software to government agencies including the Department of Defense. I absolutely loved the startup life, but I missed my communication background that I've found is my bread and butter. Now I work for the Monument Group, a public affairs and government affairs consulting firm in Austin. We help companies navigate the political landscape in Texas and build relationships so their business can thrive here. It's the best of both worlds, combining my political communications experience with my private sector knowledge.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Caroline
01What do you attribute your success to?
My dad told me at a young age that what has always set him apart, and me as his child, is that we're very hardworking and that we're relationship builders. He has a ton of friends and relationships that have allowed him to be successful and live a full and happy life, and I really look at that being transmitted for me in my life and also in the workplace. Especially with what I do, relationships are everything. They're so critical. Just being trusting and kind and authentic, and really taking care of your people, and in turn, they take care of you. Wanting to share wealth and opportunities for people in your circle and beyond is something that he taught me, and I've definitely transcended that into my life. My mom also taught me to take care of your people. She said to me, everyone puts their underwear on the same way. My work and my life is very relationship-focused and driven because of both of them.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say something along the lines of fake it till you make it. I've found myself in a lot of rooms that I didn't necessarily feel like I should have been in, but every single person that has the opportunity to be in a room where they're discussing foreign affairs or whatever, you're there for a reason. Have that confidence within yourself. For whatever it may be that you've gotten into that room, you are there for a reason, there's something that has gotten you there. I would just encourage young ladies to essentially have the confidence to know you're in that room for a reason. Fake it till you make it, that's how I kind of navigated my political career.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The first one that comes to mind is authenticity. I think in the workplace, you know, a lot of people can have a somewhat professional veil, but showing your humor, your kindness, laughing at work, being authentic about issues. For me working in public affairs, I'm a lot of times looking for advocates that can be in support of a company's initiative or whatever. Being trusting with those people, because you get people on the phone that may want to write an op-ed in favor of your issue or not. For me, what is always the most important is being truthful and honest about how an issue might be framed and whether they would be on board or not. Taking care of those relationships will last you a long time, and that's what it's all about. It's about being authentic, and everyone has a different part to play.
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