Unexpected Lessons: How Non-PR Experiences Have Made Me a Better Communicator

Some of the most valuable communication skills I’ve developed haven’t come from a PR classroom or internship. They’ve come from advocating for STEM education, representing my peers in student government, and navigating unanticipated challenges of everyday jobs. While these experiences weren’t traditionally public relations roles, each taught me something fundamental about becoming a better communicator: how to build relationships, understand different perspectives, and adapt when things don’t go according to plan.

In the Business of Relationships

At each event held by the Student Association for STEM Advocacy (SASA), a K-12 STEM education advocacy nonprofit, you’ll hear one phrase repeated again and again: “Advocacy is all about relationships, relationships, relationships.”

SASA, an organization I’ve been involved with since my junior year of high school, turns students involved in STEM programs into successful advocates, empowering them to speak directly with elected officials about the programs shaping their futures. Throughout this process, students learn that successful advocacy isn’t just about securing a meeting or delivering a pre-written message. It’s about forming lasting relationships with decision makers by establishing credibility, regularly engaging, and becoming a resource for them in the future. 

The same principles can be said for PR. Communications professionals are expert relationship builders; regularly engaging with media, internal stakeholders, and relevant external publics to build trust and credibility.

I’m a product of SASA, having started my advocacy journey long before choosing communications as my future career. As a high school student on my local robotics team, I learned to build relationships with school board members, state legislators, and even members of the U.S. Congress. What began exclusively as an advocacy strategy became the foundation of how I approach my career path: building meaningful relationships not through one interaction, but through consistency, credibility, and mutual benefit.

One Common Thread, Many Different Voices

Before joining GrandPR, I served three consecutive terms on the Grand Valley State University Student Senate. I had the privilege of representing my peers and elevating their voices in decision-making spaces across the university. While representing more than 22,000 students came with its challenges, one of the greatest was navigating relationships among the many different groups within the community.

Serving in student government meant participating in shared governance and regularly engaging with faculty, staff, and administrators to amplify students’ needs, concerns, and perspectives. I had the privilege of building many meaningful working relationships with these stakeholders, but my approach to each had to be different. Each group had varying needs, professional backgrounds, and often distinct philosophies about how to create change. 

The truth is, we always shared the same goal: improving the university. However, we didn’t always immediately align on how to reach that goal. I quickly learned that effective communication isn’t about delivering the same message to every audience. It involved understanding what matters to each group, adapting the approach, and finding the common ground that could move a conversation forward.

This experience demonstrates an important lesson of PR: understanding the perspective of your key publics is just as important as knowing the story you want to tell. How you approach your communications to account for that makes all the difference.

Winging It (Professionally)

If you know me, you’ve probably heard me talk about two of my favorite jobs. My high school job at my local public library and an on-campus job in GVSU’s biomedical sciences department. Two entry-level positions that have taught me some of the most valuable skills I’ve ever learned.

Working in small teams in both places, it wasn’t uncommon for the infamous last line of the job description, other duties as assigned, to appear. Although surprise tasks often fell outside my daily responsibilities, they taught me to think on my feet, make adjustments, and find solutions to unfamiliar situations.

Whether it was answering calls from frustrated parents while alone in the office, or locating a rare book with limited information, I always found a way to be resourceful, get creative, and move forward constructively. These experiences taught me how to navigate instances when  I didn’t have an answer right away. I learned to listen, ask questions, find the right resources, and remain composed when things didn’t go according to plan.

Having to adapt is not unknown to communicators. Much to our dismay, we’re often brought into projects later than we should be, working on tight turnarounds and deadlines, and navigating unexpected challenges that can derail our days. Being adaptable and resourceful isn’t just helpful in these situations, it’s essential.

Better Because of It All

Looking back, some of the most valuable communication lessons came from experiences which had little to do with PR on paper. As I continue my journey as a communicator, I’ve come to appreciate that you don’t need PR in your job title to become a better professional. Sometimes, the experiences that are unexpected are the ones that prepare you most.

About the Author

Ty is a senior at Grand Valley State University studying advertising and public relations with an emphasis in public relations and a minor in hospitality and tourism management. This is his first semester on the GrandPR team, where he serves as an account executive. Outside of GrandPR, Ty is passionate about serving and strengthening the communities he is part of. He is a volunteer staff member for a STEM education nonprofit and previously served three years on the Grand Valley State University Student Senate, most recently as student body vice president. In recognition of his leadership and service, he was honored with the 2025 GVSU Student Life Emerging Leader Award, 2026 GVSU Student Life Laker of the Year Award, and the 2026 GVSU Thomas M. Seykora Award for Outstanding Contribution. Following graduation, Ty hopes to build on the experience gained through internships at Ally Financial and MillerKnoll, Inc. and pursue a career in corporate communications.