Emily Austin
Emily Austin
B.A. Communication, 2000
“When thinking about my time at State, two classes stand out: ‘Crisis Communications’ with Karyn Brown and ‘PR Organizations’ under Dr. John Forde. I pull from my experience daily. They taught us how to navigate challenging situations with a level head and a clear plan of attack,” said Emily Austin, a communication graduate with a concentration in public relations.
“They set the foundation for how to operate in the communications field and prepared us for a lot of the ‘what-ifs’ we would have to face. From developing multiple crisis communications plans to fleshing out how to start a new organization-wide program, these two classes laid the groundwork for the skills that have shaped my career.”
A 2000 MSU graduate, Austin said, “Choosing a college is one of the most important decisions a high school senior can make. For me, it started with identifying what I’m passionate about and finding the right institution to help transform that passion into a meaningful career. Mississippi State University stood out because of its reputation for academic excellence and its commitment to preparing students for leadership roles. While MSU is widely recognized for its strength in agriculture, the College of Arts & Sciences offers a diverse range of programs that foster critical thinking, creativity and problem-solving. These skills are essential in any profession, and especially in my chosen field of communications/public relations,” Austin said.
“The College of Arts & Sciences has a proven history of producing leaders who make an impact in their communities and beyond, and I wanted to be part of that legacy,” she said. “The combination of MSU’s supportive environment, strong faculty and opportunities for hands-on learning made it the ideal place for me to grow academically and personally.”
After graduating from MSU, Austin worked in many public relations jobs in different sectors. Currently, she is the senior communications manager for Ducks Unlimited, Inc., based in the Southern Regions office in Ridgeland. She said her experiences at MSU helped prepare her for her career. “My A&S education prepared me for both life and career by sharpening my critical thinking skills and teaching me to look beyond the immediate task to anticipate what’s ahead. It also reinforced the importance of teamwork and accountability.”
“During my senior year, nearly every class involved group projects, which mirrored real-world workplace dynamics. I learned that success depends on alignment, making sure everyone is on the same page, moving in the same direction and following the same rules. Without that shared vision, even the best plans can fail. Those experiences taught me how to lead collaboratively, communicate clearly and keep teams focused on common goals––skills I rely on every day in my professional life,” she said.
Austin’s advice to students is to be involved and find their college community. “Community is a major part of the college experience. Get involved with groups that will help you grow not only in your focus area but as a person,” Austin said. “Challenge yourself to step outside your comfort zone and try something new. The worst thing that will happen is you will see what you are not meant for, and that will help guide you to what you are. Don’t be afraid to fail at something, as long as you are failing forward. Learn from your mistakes and do better.”
When asked to describe her experience at MSU in one word, she said, “empowering.”
“My MSU/A&S experience was empowering because it pushed me to take risks—like changing my major at the end of my sophomore year—which completely shifted the trajectory of my life. It empowered me to embrace challenges, try new things, build meaningful connections and ultimately discover who I wanted to be, both personally and professionally.”