MSU PR through the Male Gaze
PR Major, Thomas Emery, shares his perspective on the PR Major’s minority sex
By: Allison Pline
According to Data USA, 35% of PR professionals are men. At MSU, male students also make up the minority.
As a student in the minority sex of MSU’s PR Major, junior, Thomas Emery says while it can sometimes be hard to connect with other female students because of different interests and experiences, it has not stopped him from connecting as peer learners.
As a transfer student from Grand Rapids Community College, Emery says at first, he wasn’t sure what he wanted to do with his love for writing. Emery says that the experience that he has with his PR classes has sharpened his writing skills and gained skills from his coursework and collaboration with the people he has met through these classes.
“Writing has always been my strongest skill and favorite subject in high school,” said Emery. “Public relations gives me the chance to work doing something I love and is a perfect match for what I wanted to pursue.”
Experience is something that Emery says is huge for a PR major especially when you get to junior and senior year.
“Being one of the only men in my classes, it is intimidating at first, but I still try to make connections and work my hardest to keep up with my peers,” said Emery. “My advice to other male students is don’t let that intimidation stop you from starting something new or achieving your goals.”
After graduating from MSU, Emery says he wants to work in investor relations. He says he hopes to contribute to the PR field by always putting his best work forward, regardless of the circumstances.
“Opportunities in public relations are vast, and MSU program has done a great job preparing students for college,” said Emery. “Public relations is a great major for anybody who enjoys writing and honing other communication skills.”
Learn more about MSU’s PR Major online, https://admissions.msu.edu/academics/majors-degrees-programs/public-relations.