Former Princeton Student Melissa Parnagian '17 Discusses Life after Graduation
In the world of political communications, Princeton University graduates are making their mark. With diverse career paths and a strong network of support, alumni are excelling in roles ranging from political consulting to media relations.
One such alumnus is Melissa, a Sheila C. Johnson Leadership Fellow at Harvard's Center for Public Leadership. Her experience at Harvard has underscored the value of peers as mentors in achieving goals, as demonstrated through her work in political communications, message strategy, speechwriting, digital content, and driving earned media.
Melissa's journey began at Princeton, where she graduated in 2017. After her undergraduate studies, she attended Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government (HKS) for her Master of Public Policy (MPP). During her time at HKS, Melissa led a team in a class on Modern American Political Campaigns, where they wrote a comprehensive campaign and communications plan for the 2020 election.
Melissa's research at Princeton and her studies at HKS have equipped her with the fundamental skills of research, which she has applied to various papers and projects. Her thesis at HKS explored how athletes can use new strategies to maximise their sociopolitical impact. This focus on the intersection of politics and sports led her to reflect on the applicability of research skills outside of academia, noting that they can be valuable in various fields.
Post-graduation, Melissa has been active in exploring opportunities in political communications. She has planned and moderated a panel about sports and racial justice, and worked for The Players' Tribune to help athletes tell stories about important issues. Her interview with Rafi Lehmann, Social Sciences Correspondent, was published in "our blog News" and featured in the "Plans After Graduation" section.
Princeton's emphasis on public service and leadership encourages graduates to combine their political communications skills with public policy or nonprofit work. Many alumni have built their careers by starting with internships or entry-level communication roles in politics or advocacy organizations and progressing into senior communications or strategy positions.
The university offers robust career support and alumni networks, providing access to internships, real-world experience, and opportunities to work in political campaigns, government agencies, advocacy groups, or media firms. Key resources include career advising tailored by industry, alumni panels and industry speakers, networking events and job fairs, and internships and fellowships.
Princeton alumni generally earn competitive salaries, enabling many to balance ambitious career goals with community service and giving back, which is important in politically oriented roles. For more detailed individual alumni stories, Princeton’s Career Compass website and alumni networks would be valuable resources.
In summary, Princeton alumni in political communications typically benefit from robust career support and alumni networks, access to internships and real-world experience, opportunities to work in political campaigns, government agencies, advocacy groups, or media firms, and career trajectories combining communications skills with public service and policy expertise.
Melissa's research skills and personal growth during her senior thesis at Princeton, paired with her subsequent studies at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government, have been instrumental in her career development and success in political communications. By leveraging the education-and-self-development resources provided by Princeton, Melissa has not only excelled in her field but also fostered a strong personal-growth journey, aligning with the university's emphasis on public service and leadership.
