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ÌýÌýLeah Szabo (³§³Ù°ä´Ç³¾³¾â€™26)

Leah Szabo (³§³Ù°ä´Ç³¾³¾â€™26) has been all over the world, balancing life between Hungary and California as a dual citizen and studying abroad in Bali. While her passport tells a story of adventures in faraway places, Szabo has found a true sense of home at CMDI. She is the William W. White outstanding senior for the strategic communication major.Ìý

Conversation edited for length and clarity.

ÌýÌýComing from an international background, what made you choose CU Â鶹ӰԺ?
It was the perfect balance between academics and things to do outside of campus. CU has so much to offer—Â鶹ӰԺ is such a phenomenal city, and the academics in the strategic communication program are outstanding. The alumni network and whole APRD program are really what drew me to it.Ìý

ÌýÌýDid you know what you wanted to study when you arrived here?
Yes! I chose PR because it’s all about interpersonal relationships and making connections. I love how it’s all about elevating and uplifting others, and being the person to help others succeed and thrive.Ìý

Leah Szabo's internship with HBO was glamorous, but she credits landing it to the network she built at CMDI. Photo courtesy Leah Szabo.

ÌýÌýHave you gotten the chance to experience PR firsthand yet?Ìý
Yes. I interned for six months at HBO—

ÌýÌýLike, the HBO we all watch on TV?
Yeah! I worked on the media relations team, and we did publicity for the TV shows that HBO created. The main shows I worked on wereÌýThe Last of Us,ÌýWhite Lotus,ÌýI Love LA, andÌýIt: Welcome to Derry.Ìý

ÌýÌýSo cool. Did you meet any famous actors?Ìý
I got to bring Odessa A'zion a lunch plate, and make sure that Rachel Sennott made it from one room to another. One time, Josh Hutcherson came up to me and talked about the Dodgers for maybe 30 seconds. (Laughs)Ìý

ÌýÌýJealous is an understatement! I know you're also the president of PRSSA at CU. How does that play into your passion for building relationships?Ìý
PRSSA is the Public Relations Student Society of America. As president, I run an executive board of 13 people. I really focused on increasing our membership this year, and we were able to do that by connecting with students one-on-one. We gained 174 new members this year.Ìý

ÌýÌýIt sounds like you created an incredible community at PRSSA. Tell me more about your herd.
Everyone in the APRD department—from faculty to students—is in my herd. I really got to know my professors, who are the biggest champions for students and some of the greatest professionals I have ever met. I really feel like I found my place here.

ÌýÌýBest piece of advice for other students?
Don’t take it for granted. This is the best school on Earth, and CMDI has been my greatest stepping stone into learning and going into any industry I wanted. It’s so valuable—take advantage of everything this school has to offer.Ìý

ÌýÌýWhat’s next?
I’m going on a trip to Portugal with my friends to get some more time to travel! Then I’ll spend the summer back here in Â鶹ӰԺ looking for a job.Ìý

Ellie Chase is studying journalism at CMDI, with a minor in business. She covers students and student news at the college.