Member Spotlight: Karla Leal

Name: My name is Karla Leal

Year:  Surprisingly, I’m a senior. My advisor told me a few months ago I’d be able to graduate in May instead of next December ~dancing emoji~

Major:  My major is Mass Communication with a focus in Public Relations

Hometown: My hometown is itty bitty Weslaco, Texas

What made you decide to major in Public Relations?

I actually started off as a journalism major because I love the chisme* but I get bored very quickly with things so I began looking for something that allowed me to talk to people, to be creative, and still allow me to be me and that was PR. When I realized PR was probably best suited for me I switched my major one day to the next.

What are your career plans post graduation? 

Uh.. This is tough because there is so much I want to do, but there is so much I’ve been blessed to have at the moment that I could continue with after graduation. I think my career plans after graduation would be anything that allows me to grow as a person, as a publicist, and hopefully one day, as an entrepreneur. 

What is your favorite thing about UTRGV?

There’s so much to love about UTRGV because the Valley is so different than any place in the United States (I think), but honestly, I love the people. I’ve met some amazing people in the last 2 years that I don’t think I could find that anywhere else. They’ve shown me what it’s like to have a support system and that’s my favorite thing about UTRGV.

What is your favorite class you’ve taken so far at UTRGV?

I took a class by mistake last semester, it was an intro to art class.  I remember going to every class really happy because it reminded me about what I use to love, but I never imagined making a career out of art so I stopped drawing. 

What is your role within HCUTRGV?

I am the social media director for Her Campus UTRGV.

What’s something people may not know about you?

People tend to assume because I like talking to people that I’d have a lot of friends but in all honesty, I have very few because I grew up believing there was no such thing as friends. That’s why I love that UTRGV allowed me to meet some amazing people! 

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