Katrina Pauly, communication and journalism major with a public relations emphasis, 3.32 GPA 

Pauly is from Coon Rapids, Minn. She has been involved in the Tutor-Mentor program, Dance Club, PULSE, Tommie PR, Gamma Sigma Sigma and Advertising Federation. She is the public relations director for Public Relations Student Society of America and an intern for the payroll department.

Pauly’s academic achievements include being on the Dean’s List and presenting at the 2010 Undergraduate Communication Research Conference.

Pauly said an interesting fact about herself is being a finalist in a national Kraft Macaroni & Cheese contest at age 7.

“My photo, name and age were printed on boxes sold all across the country and my prizes for writing a winning poem about Cheesasaurus Rex included one of the very first digital cameras, and a year’s worth of macaroni and cheese boxes with my face on it,” she said. “It was one of the coolest things a 7 year old could possibly experience.”

Before students graduate, Pauly said they should “find a mentor of some sort on campus, whether it’s formal or simply a professor, co-worker or friend you look up to. It’s hard to know what things beyond class work you should be doing as a student to ensure success after college, and one of the best ways to find out is through someone who has already been through it all. I’ve created and sustained relationships all over campus that prove to be great resources long after I graduate.”

Pauly said she is unsure of her plans after graduation.

“I have yet to determine any concrete plans after graduation, but I am pursuing a career in the public relations and advertising fields,” she said. “I hope to ultimately work for a public relations agency in the Twin Cities. I’m currently interning in the nonprofit sector and while it’s fun and very rewarding, I hope to experience agency or corporate work after graduation.”

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