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Member Spotlight: Elyse Jones

In this month's member spotlight, we're pleased to feature Elyse Jones. Elyse is the Communications Specialist for the Pittsford Central School District. Prior to joining the Rochester chapter, she was a member and Chapter President of the PRSA Pikes Peak Chapter in Colorado Springs. Let's learn more about Elyse in the interview below.

What is your role at Pittsford Central School District, and describe your day-to-day?

As a Communication Specialist at Pittsford Schools, my day-to-day responsibilities shine a spotlight on the achievements and activities of students and staff across nine schools through storytelling on our website, social media, and monthly e-Newsletter.

Why did you choose a career in public relations?

I originally started going to school for TV production, but a class on public relations campaigns caught my attention in my junior year. There are so many aspects of the field I really enjoy such as the creativity, strategic thinking, and relationship building. Throughout my career, my roles have primarily been centered around community engagement, which enabled me to contribute to the success of the organizations I've been a part of by directly shaping perceptions and building awareness through partnerships and outreach events.

You recently relocated from the Colorado Springs area to Rochester. Tell us about how PRSA and PRSA Rochester helped in your transition.

I was very involved in the PRSA Pikes Peak chapter in Colorado Springs including serving as Chapter President, and I knew I wanted to stay involved in PRSA when I moved to Rochester. I utilized the mentorship program with PRSA to help me connect to a PR professional here who was very helpful in providing guidance about the PR landscape in Rochester and support throughout the relocation process while I interviewed for jobs. (Thanks Carl!) Attending programs and workshops has allowed me to make local connections and feel connected to the community.

What benefits have you received as a member of PRSA Rochester?

PR is a field that is ever-changing, and I think it is vital to embrace lifelong learning. I’ve taken advantage of many of the professional development opportunities PRSA Rochester has provided to continue to grow my knowledge of best practices and new trends.

Tell us about the best piece of advice you’ve ever received.

I had a previous supervisor that used to say, “No one is dying on the table.” To me, it underscores the importance of maintaining perspective in what can be a stressful industry.

When you’re not busy working, what do you like doing in your spare time?

Any spare time I have is taken up by my two boys (1 and 6 years old). We’ve enjoyed exploring a lot of what Rochester has to offer, our favorite being the Strong Museum of Play.

What would you title your biography?

I have no idea what I would write in my biography and who would want to read it, so it would probably be something like, "The Unexciting Life of Elyse Jones: Mom, Wife, and Disney Fan.”