Amy Dunham
Strada Education Network
Indianapolis, IN USA
"Don't be afraid to ask [for help] and don't put too much pressure on yourself to have everything figured out. Do good work, show up prepared, and have a good work ethic, and everything will be okay. "
Career Roadmap
Amy's work combines: Non-Profit Organizations, Education, and Upholding a Cause and Belief
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Lake Forest High School
Bachelor's Degree
Mass Communication/Media Studies
Wake Forest University
Bachelor's Degree
French Language and Literature
Wake Forest University
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Senior Vice President, Marketing & Communications:
Bachelor's Degree: Mass Communication/Media Studies
Bachelor's Degree: French Language and Literature
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Life & Career Milestones
My path in life has been direct
1.
For my business major in college, I had to take a public speaking class. I thought, wait: You can major in "Look at Me While I'm Talking"? Sign me up!
2.
I got an internship in the communications department at American Airlines the summer after sophomore year. A plane crashed my first day on the job.
3.
9/11 was my sixth day of work out of college, at a PR agency. We had a client on retainer called Argenbright, who did 80% of airport security. They had no spokesperson, and so I took on the role.
4.
Between accepting the role and starting, my employer filed for bankruptcy. Over 3.5 years, the airline was bankrupt twice, had two crashes and merged with another airline across the country.
5.
Staffing a Smithsonian photo shoot at the airport, I got talking to the TSA comms guy, at the time a new agency. After a day together, he asked if he could call me. I interviewed a week later.
6.
18 months into being a civil servant at TSA, I got tapped to be the transition official for the Homeland Security press office, preparing for the 2008 election.
7.
After 4 years at DHS, I was tired. I said as much to a Secret Service buddy. He got a call from a headhunter soon after, recruiting for the NCAA. I got a job in sports by way of the Secret Service.
8.
I now direct integrated strategic communications efforts to advance Strada Education Network’s brand identity, broaden awareness of its programs and advance its position with key constituents.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Teachers:
When I switched majors junior year from business to communications, I heard everything from inferences to direct feedback that I was copping out, doing something less prestigious and damaging my future prospects.
How I responded:
Nearly every organization in America has a communications department, and I've had the opportunity to work across multiple industries -- because the skill set conveys. While communications can be an under-valued discipline compared to more traditional business functions, it's key to an organization's success in good times, and particularly in bad ones. But don't fall prey to the stereotype of not being good at math: know how to manage a budget and demonstrate support of key organizational goals.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
My transition from working for airlines to working for the TSA and DHS in government, was a steep learning curve. There was a lot that went over my head early on, but I read and learned as much as I could to prepare myself.
I grew up thinking I was going to be a pathologist, but realized that wasn't for me after taking chemistry. I switched majors junior year from business to communications and got a lot of negative push back from that, but I knew it was the right move.