What Katie did next

RMIT University media and communication graduate, Katie Maynes, has enjoyed a decade of diversity with PR roles at Village Roadshow, Australia Zoo, World Vision and agencies in London and Melbourne.

Ms Maynes said the Bachelor of Arts (Public Relations) had a fantastic reputation in the industry, as evidenced in the latest global rankings by independent research firm Quacquarelli Symons (QS).

International employers put RMIT Media and Communication studies at a stellar 92.4 and, overall, QS ranked Media and Communication in the Top 100 in 2012.

"When my Year 12 exams finished and all my peers were heading off on schoolies, I went to Ford and did work experience in their Public Affairs department," Ms Maynes said.

"Entry into the RMIT program involved an exam and interview. I remember spending hours in the lead-up ensuring I was completely across current affairs and polishing my interview technique.

"The day the envelope arrived with my acceptance letter was a memorable one and since that moment I haven't looked back," Ms Maynes said.

In her latest role, she is rubbing shoulders with Olympians John Aloisi, Matt Welsh, John Landy, Simon Baker and Brett Maher as she helps organise an event, "From the lab to London: Celebrating elite performance in 2012", a breakfast to mark the London Games and raise funds for St Vincent's Institute of Medical Research (SVI).

"PR is certainly a challenging and varied role. I remember one of my lecturers telling me that there is never a boring day in this profession and he was correct," Ms Maynes said.

"The RMIT program fulfilled my - extremely high - expectations. I can still remember some of the guest speakers.

"One of them ended up as my boss and it was her influence that made me want to work in the charity sector," Ms Maynes said.

SVI appears a great fit for Ms Maynes, who clearly enjoys the personal rewards that come with promoting medical research and community engagement.

"Each day brings a totally new experience which enables me to keep growing and learning.

"The tools I acquired through the program have certainly made me feel ready to handle any new task that I'm presented with," Ms Maynes said.

The School of Media and Communication has recently relocated many of its teaching and research activities to a new home in the heritage-listed, 71-year-old Building 9 on City campus.

This building has been entirely redesigned as a cross-disciplinary hub, specifically tailored to the needs of students and industry.

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