School-to-Community: Mrs. Kristen D’Andrea, Public Relations for the Town of Brookhaven Highway Department

Covering 3600 miles of roads and making sure they are up to date can be a difficult task. For the Town of Brookhaven Highway Department (TBHD), 365 days of the year are dedicated to making sure highway travel is safe. For Mrs. Kristen D’ Andrea, TBHD public relations assistant, most of her year is dedicated to putting her company in a good spotlight and increasing public knowledge of ongoing projects.

“It’s a different story every day, and you really get to know what’s going on,” Mrs. D’ Andrea said in regards to why she loves her job. Mrs. D’ Andrea said that the highway department has had around 38 projects completed this paving season, and she has covered most of them by addressing the public on Facebook and talking to the press.

“Public speaking and the ability to think on the fly,” Mrs. D’ Andrea said, are some of the most important qualities needed to work in the field of public relations. These qualities were definitely important when she had to rush to the scene of one of the craziest situations she has ever encountered. “Somebody actually stole a wolf, and I had to address the press on the issue,” the former editor-in-chief of The Wildcat Pause said.

As crazy as the wolf situation was for Mrs. D’ Andrea, the true highlight of her career was the ability to work from home when she had her three children. “Still being able to spend time with my kids and do what I love was awesome.”

For teens focusing to their futures, just like she did when she was younger, Mrs. D’ Andrea made it clear that the best thing they can do is to “get involved as much as possible [join clubs, partake in community service, and take more classes].” Mrs. D’ Andrea also stated that it is very important to find internships as they will help immensely with future goals.