Name: Laura Smythe

Graduation Year: 2019

Major: Journalism

Occupation, Company: Communications Manager, Visit Philadelphia

Describe your current occupation and if applicable, how was Temple the launchpad for your current position?
In my current role, I lead the executive communications strategy for Visit Philadelphia’s C-Suite leadership and the corporate communications strategy for external updates, including newsletters, the company LinkedIn and annual report. I oversee VP’s media center and develop its editorial content strategy, while also planning out-of-market events with national press in cities including Atlanta, Chicago and Los Angeles. Additionally, I lead in-market group and individual media trips to Philadelphia for reporters from across the country to inform national media coverage about Philadelphia’s wellness, sustainability, LGBTQ+, culinary, arts + culture, and other offerings.

Temple was instrumental in launching my career, which started in journalism. I was a reporter for several years after graduating with a journalism degree, working for publications including The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Gay News, Philadephia Business Journal and Forbes magazine. My journalism background and subsequent media savviness uniquely equipped me to transition naturally into the public relations and communications side of the industry at Visit Philadelphia, and my reporting experience expertly positions me to help reporters far and wide tell the authentic and diverse stories of Philadelphia.

Why do you support Temple University and serve on the Klein Alumni Association Board?
Attending Temple University and earning my journalism degree changed my life. I spent three years budget backpacking 28 countries before transferring to Temple University as my third college. Here, I experienced a rigorous academic program that expertly prepared me for my dream career; an empowering community and personal + professional support system that spanned professors, students, alumni and mentors; and an incredible city that made me feel more at home than anywhere else in the world.

I owe a lot in my professional and personal life to the time that I spent at Temple University and, specifically, Klein College. I’m now thrilled to pay it forward by serving on the Klein Alumni Association Board, and cannot wait to engage with alumni and prospective students across the country, in addition to the current student body.

What excites you about the Lew Klein College of Media and Communication?
Klein College offers competitive and well-rounded academic programs taught by a suite of world-class professors who offer a unique degree of professional experience and contacts. Many of my professors went above and beyond for me when I was a student and after graduation to help me achieve my professional goals. Klein College also keeps a strong pulse on developments within the journalism and communications industry and quickly adapts to offer cutting-edge curriculum, technology and extracurriculars that keep up with the rapidly changing times and media sector.

I am excited to see how Klein College and Temple University continue to attract journalism and communications students from around the world to experience Philadelphia, creating an experience that may encourage them to continue to reside here upon graduation.

What advice could you give someone looking to become more engaged with Klein College?
Network, network, network. Put yourself out there, and don’t be shy. Attend events, reach out to other students, alumni and professors. Share your dreams and ambitions with them, see how you could lend a hand in return, and put effort into maintaining the relationships you build with others along the way.

What was your favorite memory while a student at Temple?
Working as the Features Editor at The Temple News :)

Also, reporting a solutions journalism long-form story in Professor Jillian Bauer-Reese’s Covering Addiction course about the overlap between trauma and addiction that women in Philadelphia experience, and the people, organizations and resources that are working to help address these social issues. The piece won a First Place, Feature Student Keystone Media Award in 2019, and I am still tremendously proud of it.

Describe KLN students in one word: Tenacious.