‘Try everything,’ advice from Greenlee alumna Kelly McGowan
Greenlee alumna Kelly McGowan graduated in 2015 with degrees in journalism and mass communication and Spanish and currently works as a communications specialist for the Iowa State University College of Engineering. She shares her pathway as encouragement to current students about their Greenlee education.
Her time at Iowa State played a pivotal role in shaping her career.
“I just appreciate the faculty, the courses and the ability to get really involved with the [Iowa State] Daily and internships,” she said, reflecting on how her experiences laid the groundwork for her professional path.
During her time at Iowa State, she interned at a newspaper in Hampton, Iowa. “It was a small-town newspaper experience where I got to try everything,” she said.
This hands-on learning environment gave her a solid foundation, allowing her to explore various facets of journalism.
The media ethics, freedom and responsibility course stood out to her as particularly influential.
“The portfolio and real-world applications we worked on were so valuable,” she said, noting how every course contributed to her knowledge and skill set. “Every class introduced something important for journalism.”
After graduating, her career unfolded in diverse ways. “Before this current position in the College of Engineering, I was working at Iowa State’s Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching, doing communications and project management work,” she explained. Before that, she worked in journalism. “The skills I learned here at Iowa State were valuable across all these roles, whether in journalism or communications.”
Returning to campus was a special moment for her. “Being back on campus was really exciting. It gave me the chance to explore communications in a different sphere,” she shared. Her ability to adapt and learn from each new job and project has been a hallmark of her career.
When asked about her proudest professional achievement, she pointed to her continual learning. “Whether it’s a new job or project, I’m always learning something new. That’s been the biggest lesson throughout my career.”
Her advice to current students?
“Try everything,” she said. “I think Greenlee sets you up in a good way to do that. Your internships that you may choose or campus publications organizations, just try a lot of different things and see what excites you the most.”
She credits her Iowa State education for instilling key qualities in her. “The skills taught at Greenlee are so important and applicable to a huge variety of exciting careers. Being able to communicate in a way that’s accurate and ethical — while staying curious and valuing people’s stories—is a solid foundation,” she said.
Her time at the Iowa State Daily was another highlight of her university experience. “I loved working at the Daily,” she said. “It was such a great chance to try different things and different styles of writing. It was a really valuable component of my journalism degree.”
For students navigating their careers, she emphasizes the importance of networking and using every resource available. “I definitely took advantage of career fairs and networking opportunities,” she advised. “It’s important to take those chances, even if things don’t pan out right away.”
She is eager to make an impact in her current position. “I am so excited to be in this role, helping to share the word on campus and beyond about the great things happening in the College of Engineering. This happens through newsletters, stories, photos, publications, social media and more in collaboration with an awesome team, and to a variety of audiences,” she said.
Her story serves as an inspiration to current students, showing that the foundation Iowa State provides can lead to a successful and fulfilling career across various fields.