Marissa Burns,
Public Relations
I recently graduated from San Diego State University and received a bachelor's degree in Communication with a minor in Management. I enjoyed classes in event management, media relations, writing, interpersonal communications and human resources.
During my junior year I was an Event Coordinator for the Cultural Art and Special Events Board where I managed and publicized Homecoming events, AzFest events and sneak preview movies to SDSU students. Additionally, I was responsible for weekly outdoor concert and an indoor coffeehouse series that brought locally and nationally known artists to our campus that students could enjoy for free! Each semester I coordinated a weeklong SDSU Hand Craft Faire where vendors came to sell their one of a kind items and students could conveniently satisfy their shopping needs. This job was a wonderful opportunity because it enabled me to get involved on campus and work with a variety of on-campus clubs, the Greek system, faculty, Associated Students executive officers and a many other students who wanted to become involved in SDSU.
At the beginning of my senior year I decided it would be crucial to gain firsthand experience through an internship. After several informational interviews I decided PR was an industry I would enjoy and ended up landing a fulltime internship at Berkman. This internship provided direct experience in the PR industry where I gained extensive understanding, knowledge and skills.
I stared working for Epiphany Marketing in 2007 as an intern and advanced to Public Relation Specialist. My responsibilities include writing media material, pitching to the media, writing press releases and managing the day-to-day activity of our diverse clients base. From the moment I started working in PR I knew this was the industry I wanted to pursue and am thrilled to have the opportunity to continue my career with Epiphany Marketing.
In my free time, I am usually lounging around PB with my roommates and hitting up the Gaslamp on the weekends. My true passion lies in travel because it allows me to meet new people and experience new places. Some of my recent trips include two weeks in the Big Apple, a six-week venture backpacking throughout Spain and a weeklong poolside trip to Cabo San Lucas.
"From the moment I started working in PR I knew this was the industry I wanted to pursue—the more knowledge and experience I gain, the more I love it."