MSU AD+PR Alumna Encourages Students to Take on Public Relations Careers
Hadley Kerr recalls her experience at MSU and motivates young professionals to be flexible and eager to learn
By: Whitney Byard
Edelman senior media executive, Hadley Kerr, knows that success is measurable, but not in the conventional way. Kerr knows that the corporate ladder is climbed by consistent effort to learn and grow as a professional. She started her Michigan State University journey as an ambitious young learner and has grown into an accredited and experienced professional eager to share her advice with rising practitioners. Kerr shares her insight on advancing careers and navigating growth in an ever-changing industry.
Kerr graduated from MSU in 2021 with a degree in advertising management and minors in public relations and graphic design. Her determination brought her into a public relations teaching assistant role as a freshman, which showed her the importance of learning and using the resources provided. She explains that being a lifelong learner is the first step to taking on any field.
“Be as curious as possible – an active listener and learner,” Kerr said. “If the work becomes mundane, you start to burn out. Avoid that by keeping yourself challenged and interested.”
As the Bateman coordinator and vice president of the MSU Public Relations Student Society of America and a member of Delta Sigma Pi business fraternity, Kerr developed into a strong leader. Now an industry professional at Edelman, Kerr recounts on her transition to the “managing up” workstyle. To “manage up” is to take initiative and embrace proactivity yet work smoothly on a team. This concept made for a difficult transition, but Kerr believes that a sharp focus on what you can control and improve on eases the process.
“You have to embrace your skills and own your work,” said Kerr. “‘Managing up’ is understanding that this is the time to show leadership… show them you deserve to climb that ladder.”
The true impact of Kerr’s work is shown through various health and wellness accounts on her resume. At Edelman, she successfully pitches media and oversees effective media relationships for her clients. Providing thoughtful analysis results, key findings and prioritizing media opportunities is a critical part of Kerr’s position. She says job satisfaction starts with aligning your portfolio with a passion. Kerr works with health accounts that fulfill her love for contributing to the greater good. This balance keeps her work meaningful and impactful: two things that can fuel a love for the career.
Kerr’s experience at MSU prepared her for the challenges of corporate life. Her Spartan roots helped her blossom into an accredited executive who climbed every step of the ladder and wants to help rising AD+PR Spartans to do the same.
“If you are working toward goals that help you move to the next level and improve as a professional and a person, you are growing,” Kerr said. “Find work that makes you feel grounded and like an impactful storyteller.”
To learn more about corporate roles at firms like Edelman, connect with Hadley Kerr on LinkedIn.