Public Relations Senior
by Tarah Bourke - March 17, 2015
Shelby Austin thrives on stress. From her large class load, to her internship with the College of Business, to her executive board position with the Public Relations Student Society of America, this Ferris State University senior just can’t get enough.
“To me it’s fun to be stressed out. I thrive on being stressed,” said Austin, a native of Coopersville, Mich. “I like feeling like I am doing something important with my time and bettering myself for the future and working towards my goals.”
Austin graduated from Coopersville High School in 2012 and originally came to Ferris for its Music Industry Management program. Later, Austin switched to Public Relations in Spring 2014. She is ready for graduation in May 2015. She has big post-graduation plans, too. Austin would like to travel abroad to study.
Last spring, Austin started a social media internship with Ferris’ College of Business. She manages all of COB’s social media accounts, she is launching a digital marketing campaign for the college’s academic programs and she is assisting with coordinating study abroad opportunities for Summer 2015.
Austin also serves as vice president of internal relations for Ferris’ PRSSA chapter, an on-campus professional student organization. She joined the organization in the Spring 2014, but loved it so much that she decided to take on the challenge of a leadership during her last year at Ferris, the 2014-15 academic year.
“It has taught me to speak up and be a leader in whatever situation I’m in,” Austin said. “I think my personality is good for that and this has given me the opportunity to use it.”
In Summer 2014, Austin served as an event intern for Eastown Community Association.
Looking ahead to the future, Austin dreams of being part of a startup agency in Grand Rapids, Mich. and credits her Ferris education and experiences as the means to get her to her goals.
Austin’s collaborative abilities – on display with many different people and organizations – has afforded her endless opportunities.
Being involved is not something that will end when Austin earns her bachelor’s degree
from Ferris. She plans to take the strong principles she has developed at Ferris to
serve her throughout her professional career.
Tarah Bourke is a News Services student writer in University Advancement and Marketing.
For others featured in the Faces of Ferris series, visit:
https://ferris.edu/HTMLS/news/faces/