Courtney Charette

Courtney Charette, BA ’12

How has your job been impacted by COVID-19?

As a public relations professional, I am extremely lucky to work from home and engage with my clients digitally. While I am no longer meeting with clients and colleagues in person, we are all working together to identify and share positive stories during the pandemic. Now, more than ever, communication is a crucial part of any organization and I am constantly looking for ways to help my clients engage with their staff, customers and community, in a clear, positive and impactful way.

How has your industry been affected?

For the most part, the entire media landscape has been taken over by COVID-19 news stories. This has forced companies and PR professionals to rethink strategies and refocus efforts on community initiatives and ‘good news’ stories that can be shared during this time. Earning media coverage can be hard so it is even more important for us to stay connected with our community in order to understand what type of content is resonating with different audiences. As a PR consultant who regularly works with consumer shows and goods, I have seen layoffs and cancellations impact our client base. We are constantly looking to adapt to the evolving situation and continue to look for new opportunities for our clients whose businesses have been greatly affected during this crisis.

How do you stay busy or connected with family and friends?

I’m keeping busy by reading and trying out new recipes! I’m also regularly scheduling video calls with friends and family to stay connected. My husband and I have even driven by some family members’ homes to share a quick social distancing hello!

What has inspired you the most in your community?

It’s the willingness to support local and small businesses. Many family-owned businesses in my community were worried about how they would cope during the pandemic and it has been amazing to see how local residents have stepped up to help. In some cases, community members have even made donations to these businesses and asked for nothing in return.