Have you ever dreamed of working for A-list celebrities like Taylor Swift and Katherine McPhee? I think the answer for most of us would be a resounding “duh,” but for one public relations queen, it just may happen.
Barbara Alfonso is a junior studying public relations and concentrating in women’s studies in the College of Communication. Originally from Yonkers, New York, this Cuban-Irish mix has taken on the BU community by storm with her outstanding involvement in admissions and COM life.
“I’m really passionate about how the communications industry affects women/minorities, so I’m studying both PR and WGS to get a grasp on how I can change the industry later in life. I am involved with PRSSA and the Admissions Student Diversity Board on campus to expand upon my experience,” Barbara explained.
Barbara recently planned an entire regional conference for PR professionals, which was hosted right on campus at the Photonics Center. She spent months applying for the conference bid and securing outstanding sponsors and keynote speakers who gave young communications and business students an invigorating glance into their future career fields. This conference was recognized on a national level and will set the bar high for future conference planners to come.
Barbara hopes to use the skills she has gained from COM and conference planning to set her course and make her name in the entertainment industry. Wherever her career takes her, she knows she wants to stay true to her city roots and travel.
“I’m having major FOMO seeing all my friends’ pictures from abroad/spring break, so I think I need to treat myself to a little trip post grad! I’d love to go back to Europe and have a little Euro-trip and see a few countries. Italy, Spain, England, and France are at the top of my list,” she confessed.
Hopefully we’ll see you there, Barb.
As her successes continue to bring her closer to achieving her dream of becoming a certified Taylor Swift fan girl (aka her PR manager), Barbara is always mindful of where she came from.
“My parents are my role models because they’ve worked hard for all they have and always stay true to themselves which is all I am hoping to do with my life,” Barbara said.
I think it’s safe to say we’d all be happy leaving our reputation in the hands of such a cultured, PR-savvy music fanatic. Even though she’ll be working for celebrities one day, she’ll always be a campus celeb at BU.