Panel Discussion: So You Want to Be a Communicator. Now What?

Join us for a virtual panel discussion about what it means to pursue a career in communications. Five panelists will speak and answer questions about their career stories and current roles, ranging from higher ed communications to PR to journalism. This is a great panel for undergraduate students and communications professionals alike to explore varied career pathways in this field.

Free for UMCF members (become a member here) and students (with discount code - email mgustafs@umn.edu with questions). $10 for non-members.

Panelist Bios

Ruby Oluoch

Ruby Oluoch is executive director of Pollen Midwest, a media arts organization that harnesses the power of narrative change to build towards a society that is free, just, and loving. At Pollen, Ruby works with creative teams to offer communities new narrative possibilities through storytelling and design. 

Bao Ong

Bao Ong (SJMC '04) is a restaurant columnist at the Houston Chronicle. He previously worked on staff at Eater New York, Bon Appétit and Time Out New York. Before his 14-year career in New York City, his first staff job was as an education reporter at the St. Paul Pioneer Press. His background is in journalism, but he also graduated from culinary school. He moved to Houston in summer 2022 and writes about the food scene in the fourth largest U.S. city.

Brad Robideau

Brad Robideau is the National Media Relations Consultant in the Office of University Relations. He is responsible for providing strategic counsel on national media and public relations issues and identifying and placing news stories as part of comprehensive public relations strategies for the University of Minnesota System. He has worked in media relations for twenty years.

Andria Waclawski

Andria Waclawski is the assistant director of public relations for the University of Minnesota, and a proud first-gen U of M grad. Andria has managed strategic communications for a variety of audiences from students and senior leaders to artists, scientists and legislators. In addition to working with local, national and international media outlets, she has done extensive work in crisis communications, brand management, creative direction, social media strategy, and more.

Rhonda Zurn

Rhonda Zurn is the Director of Communications and Marketing in the University of Minnesota College of Science and Engineering where she is member of the Dean’s senior leadership team. Rhonda manages all aspects of communications, public relations, media relations, social media, video production, marketing, branding, event promotion, and internal communications for the college. She started her career as a newspaper reporter and then went on to work in the Minnesota State University system and later for St. Paul Public Schools

*Note: If you have already registered for this event and cannot locate the Zoom link in either of the two system-generated emails (sent by donotreply@umn.edu immediately following successful enrollment), check your spam folder, then contact umcf@umn.edu. A reminder email will also be sent out to all registrants the day of the event.

Event Date
Thursday, March 30, 2023