Spotlight: ‘Communication is essential’

Public relations graduate Sara Hood uses communication skills attained at UA and in fashion and in sports event planning PR to help find a cure for type 1 diabetes.

 

Name: Sara Hood
Major: Public Relations
Graduation year: 2001
Current position: Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of Alabama, the worldwide leader in funding research to cure type 1 diabetes. My main responsibilities include fundraising, marketing and event planning for our annual Walk to Cure Diabetes. Nationally, this event raises more than $90 million for diabetes research.

How has the College helped you in your career:

C&IS provided great resources and mentors throughout my years at Alabama. I felt very confident when I graduated that UA had provided me with the foundation I needed to be a part of the “real world.”

Best thing about college:

The people. It is a very small world. I have been very fortunate in my career because of my connection to the University of Alabama. I made friendships that will last a lifetime.

Best thing, so far, about your career:

Since I graduated, I have been very fortunate to continue my career in public relations even as I moved on to other companies.

I worked as a public relations intern for renowned fashion designer Betsey Johnson in New York City. This led to a freelance job working with more designers during New York Fashion Week.

I returned to Birmingham. I was hired by Bruno Event Team, a sports marketing and event management company, as the Public Relations Director. I quickly learned a lot about media relations, event planning, marketing and more. One of the most memorable (and proudest) moments was being a part of the presentation for a strategic event plan for UA Gameday to Dr. Witt.

Today, I work for a great organization that is helping to improve the lives of so many affected by a terrible disease. Communication is essential when you are part of a non-profit organization. You have to find creative ways to “get the word out” and create awareness because your budget is small. My families, adults and kids who live with this disease every day are my motivation to do well and help find a cure.

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