Tessa R. Howard (JOU, 2020) loves two things: communication and politics. 

Luckily for her, her current position allows her to do both simultaneously. As a communications specialist at the Administrative Office of the Courts in Frankfort, Kentucky, she works with judges across the Commonwealth of Kentucky doing judicial public media relations.

“In two words, my degree means to me: creativity and versatility,” Howard said. “My work reflects my creative ideas and versatile projects.” For the AOC, she amplifies their messages through press releases, media advisories, website content and hands-on media projects.

While at the University of Kentucky, Howard double majored in broadcast journalism and political science. During college, she had broadcast internships at WDRB and WLKY. After graduating, she interned twice in the United States House of Representatives in Washington, D.C., as a communications/legislative intern. Soon after, Howard earned her master’s degree in broadcast digital journalism at S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications in Syracuse, New York. 

After interning in D.C. and graduating with her master’s, Howard decided to take a step back from being a journalist and transition careers into government communications. From this experience, Howard’s advice is to do at least one internship that is outside of your comfort zone. 

“It's ok if you change your mind about your career,” Howard said. “You will feel a little doubt, imposter syndrome and guilt while transitioning careers, but you will be ok.”