<p>Symone Williams was born and raised in Harlem and moved to Long Island when she started high school. From a young age, she has been deeply interested in media and how it shapes culture. She has also been writing her whole life, from letters to her mother after a disagreement, to poetry in elementary school, to eventually a blog of her own in college. </p> <p>One of her major hobbies is creating content that focuses her experiences as a Black mother working in the corporate world who lives in NYC while practicing conscious parenting, which is specifically meaningful to her as she navigates the world as a first-generation college-graduate corporate leader. </p>

<p>&quot;When it was time to choose a college, I knew I wanted to stay in NYC so I was drawn to NYU SPS immediately,&quot; recalls Williams. &quot;I reviewed which schools had majors designed to match my interests and career goals. I attended NYU for undergrad, so it was an easy decision to choose NYU SPS for grad school.&quot;</p> <p>Williams describes her experience at SPS as incredibly transformative and valuable. &quot;I pursued my master's degree in <a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ms-in-public-relations-and-corporate-communication.html" target="_self">Corporate Communications and Public Relations</a> there, with a strong focus on applying my studies to real-world situations and building connections with professors, classmates and guest speakers,&quot; she shares. &quot;Initially, I commuted, which was challenging, but eventually, I moved back to the city. This transition made me feel more integrated into the NYU community.&quot;</p>

<p>Beyond academics, Williams was able to launch into the professional world&nbsp; well-equipped due to pursuing a capstone project as well as working full-time as a student. Williams in fact started her <i>first</i> full-time corporate job during her time at SPS. She was introduced to a company through a guest-speaker during one of her PR seminars— they then stayed connected and she was able to interview for an open position. According to Williams, this role allowed her to develop her internal communication, teamwork, and leadership skills.</p> <p>Today, Williams is an associate director of business and internal communications at Hearst Magazines and Co-Chair of Hearst Black Culture, an employee resource group designed to amplify Black voices across the organization and industry at large. </p> <p>&quot;SPS prepared me by exposing me to the diverse functions of PR and Corporate Communications,&quot; she shares. &quot;It broadened my understanding of my current field; I used to see PR as a single entity, but at SPS, I learned how multifaceted it truly is.&quot;</p>

<p>An unexpected highlight of Williams' time at NYU SPS was her involvement in executing <a href="https://www.nyu.edu/alumni/get-involved/alumni-clubs/special-interest-clubs/nyu-black-alumni-network.html" target="_blank"><i>Celebrate Black</i></a>, an annual event that celebrates the Black voices and contributions of Black creatives in fashion, design, art and entertainment. She designed the panel discussions, from ideation to booking talent, to collaborating with marketing and our corporate partners.</p> <p>&quot;I sometimes struggle with being the only person in the room that looks like me, a Black/Latina woman,&quot; divulged Williams. &quot;But it motivates me to continue doing great work so more can come after me. I feel obligated to increase diversity at any company I work for.&quot;</p> <p>Williams is especially proud of her ability to fluidly move across industries with my skills and experience. She has built trusting relationships and gained valuable experiences that have made me a communications expert, regardless of the industry. &quot;The skills I learned at SPS and throughout my career have allowed me to pivot from media to financial services back to media,&quot; she surmises.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>As for next steps, Williams looks forward to continuing to hone her skills as a communications professional. &quot;I'd also like to continue to build connections and help keep the door open for more people who look like me,&quot; she muses. &quot;In my current role I have exposure to so many different departments, so I'd like to continue being a trusted partner and provide my unique perspective to grow the business as it continues to evolve.&quot;</p> <p>She urges other students to take courses that are outside of their comfort zone—after all, you never know what might spark your interest or what skills you can apply if you don't explore. &quot;Stay connected to professors, guest speakers and your fellow classmates,&quot; she urges. &quot;These will be the professionals you may work with one day!&quot;</p> <p>The <a href="/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/ms-in-public-relations-and-corporate-communication.html" target="_self">MS in Public Relations and Corporate Communication program at NYU SPS</a> provides students with a unique opportunity to learn from leaders in the field and eventually become innovative leaders themselves.</p>