Spotlight on Carrie Leach

Carrie Leach
M.S. in Marketing & Communication Student

Tell us about your job.
I'm the Public Relations Manager for Mac Tools, a division of Stanley. I travel a great deal for PR events and while working on video shoots, as I manage the production audio/visual side of our annual Tool Fair. In addition to event planning with the Marketing team, I manage the advertising schedule, negotiate ad rates, and mange our media relationship. I also write press releases about events and new products. I get to be creative. I'm always learning. I love my job!

What other commitments do you have in addition to school?
I am also a musician. I write songs, play the piano, and sing. I'm currently working on a recording project of my own music. It's my passion, so I try to keep up with it as much as I can. Right now, it's all about time management. When I travel, I find that there is no better place to study than on an airplane. My books get a lot of frequent flyer miles, which is how I manage to stay on top of my school assignments and also balance all my other commitments.  

Why did you choose Franklin University?
Truly, it was the philosophy "Franklin Makes it Possible" that drew me to Franklin. Even with a hectic travel schedule, Franklin is great for working adults like me. Sure, it takes self-discipline, but the sacrifice is worth it. Plus, everything in my field changes so rapidly, I need to keep my skills up-to-date and understand the latest trends to stay competitive. Franklin offers a focused program with a great curriculum that fits my schedule.

How did your undergraduate experience compare to being a graduate student at Franklin?
It is completely different. As an adult student with work and school to manage together - and paying for a portion of this on my own -it means much more. This is a different level of self-expectation. We have six weeks to prove ourselves in each class. It's not just about the grades: it's about the skills we derive from each course that we can apply to our careers.

Any thoughts about what you've learned through the MCM Program so far?
It helps me think of new and different ways to approach public relations, marketing, and communication strategy. For example, I was able to contribute to the development of a strategic internal communication plan for a division of Stanley, and the MCM curriculum helped a lot. I have yet to take a class in this program that I could not use in my current position.  

What has been the most rewarding part of your Franklin education?
Every class challenges me to be better at my craft. When I finished the MCM 740 Design Concepts in Marketing Communication course, I was told my work was "agency quality" by the Creative Director of Franklin's Marketing Department. That meant a lot to me and validated my decision to pursue a degree in this field.

What advice would you give to those thinking about earning a master's degree from Franklin?
The graduate program quickly weeds out the people who are not serious. It's demanding and takes a lot of commitment. If you have the drive to succeed, and want to be surrounded by others with the same vigor, the MCM program is for you. Seventeen months devoted to hard work is a small sacrifice for the bigger picture. I'm getting a great education and I highly recommend it.