Ever since I became a PR major, my dream was to work for a film festival like the Cannes Film Festival or with a film production company, helping to share amazing stories with the world. When I went to Dublin for my study abroad field experience, I got to see how important Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is in PR today. This changed the way I think about my future job in entertainment.

During our visits, one thing was consistent, the emphasis on how much impact companies and organizations can have by supporting good causes. After listening to employees of Alice PR talk about their work with social issues, I began to think about how I could bring those values to the entertainment industry. Because of their immense knowledge about moving with your values first, I began to invision myself working for a film company to share stories that promote festivals or film events that include voices from underrepresented groups.

Another consistency prevalent in our conversations was about the importance of authenticity. This was extremely eye opening for me because I wasn’t sure how my morals would fit into my passion for working in entertainment, an infamously brutal and harsh industry. However, hearing companies as big as AIB and Jameson find ways to stay authentic to their brand while also promoting sustainability, it became clear to me that I did not have to give up my hopes of working in the entertainment industry. I now see that for film festivals, authenticity means supporting issues you truly believe in and showing stories that represent those issues and bring awareness to them. I have always wanted to help share those real, honest stories by working in entertainment and after this trip to Dublin I now know it is possible. 

I am so excited for my future as a PR professional. I can picture myself behind the scenes, helping to tell important stories and making sure every festival or production company I work with gives back in a real way. 

Now, my dream isn’t just about being at the Cannes Film Festival. It’s about helping the film industry do real good, share important stories, and connect with people on a deeper level.