Emily Harris

Introduce yourself to our audience. Tell us who you are and what you are currently focused on.

Hi there, I'm Emily, a mid-level communications professional with experience in the media, journalism, tech and nonprofit sectors. I've just recently made the move from New York City, my home for 14 years, to Philadelphia, my new home base. I'm currently looking for full-time communications work within the city and would love to learn more about the opportunities here.

Tell us about your favorite Ellevate Network memory or success story. Why are you a member?

My favorite Ellevate Network memory is leading an Ellevate Squad in 2020 with 8 other women. It was energizing and nourishing to meet with other women from different walks of life, ages and industries and share relatable experiences especially during the pandemic during a time of general isolation

How would you define your professional mission?

I want to use my creative, research, and writing skills to support organizational communications, both externally and internally. I am particularly interested in writing longform pieces like newsletters and blog posts, and interacting with journalists whose vantage point and needs I feel I have a strength in recognizing. I enjoy working for media and mission-oriented organizations but am open to expanding my horizons for any organization with a good cultural fit.

What qualities does it take for someone to be successful in your line of work?

Communications, whether journalistically, for mission-oriented organizations, or corporations, all require creative flexibility, a curious attitude towards learning the organization's/industry's inner workings and the audience's needs, and clear writing skills.

What is one of your most memorable career accomplishments?

My most memorable career accomplishment was working as an AP at WNET, the NYC PBS arm, where I covered poverty and climate change in America. I learned a lot through interviewing people from all walks of life, from locksmiths to mayors to the CEO of a major nonprofit, and built conversational and public speaking skills I hadn't had before.

What are some career challenges on your radar?

Right now I am 6 months out of a career break that lasted from November 2022 - November 2023. In the past 6 months I have been taking certificate courses through Mark Ritson's Mini MBA, Cornell's PR Strategy course, and the NYTimes' Content Strategy course to keep my skills fresh. I also made a big move from NYC to Philadelphia. Now that my move and career break are behind me, the challenge I face is finding a job in a new city where my network is new.

What project have you worked on that you’re most proud of? Why?

The project I'm most proud to have worked on was a strategic communications handbook for a technology start-up that had hired me as the first communications hire. While they later invested more funding and personnel into marketing efforts, I was very proud of the work I put in and the final product I created.

We’d love to hear more about your career path. What led you to where you are today?

I always took an interest in English literature, creative writing, and media arts throughout my schooling years. I felt drawn to a story well told, a picture well framed, a video that moved me. I really appreciate the creativity that goes into my line of work and how it can connect people to organizations and their goals. I went to Barnard College with a specific interest in their English Literature and Creative Writing courses, and then went on to study at Columbia Journalism School with an emphasis on narrative writing and documentary film. From there, I have worked in many fields in communications, marketing, digital production, public relations and editorial roles. In my next role, I'd like to begin to specialize more and find my niche.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

I'm currently working on a freelance basis helping a former economic researcher build out his LinkedIn presence as a thought-leader, and edit his work. The most rewarding part of this work is seeing this person's writing and passion gain a dedicated following, which is very engaged.

What legacy do you hope to leave through your work?

I hope my writing, media pitches, and communications materials are *smart*. There's a lot of fluff and content out there that lacks clarity, misses a point, and generally doesn't teach the audience what they need to hear to stay educated, informed, and make the best decisions for themselves. I hope my legacy is that my communications helped people.