Rylee Turner's Blog

The place I call home is Smack Dead Center in the middle of the mitten, otherwise known as Gratiot County. It is the only county in the entire state of Michigan that only has man-made lakes. Gratiot County will always have a special place in my heart, although it is all farmland and almost an hour away from any mall. I enjoy going shopping with my friends. Retail therapy is something that I strongly believe in, especially if it involves purses. Family time has always been an enormous implement of my life. Any chance I get, I will go home to see my two nephews and two nieces. They are why I strive to be a better person and role model. I also love to travel; my favorite vacation spot is Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Traveling is important to me because experiencing other cultures is a beautiful thing to help me better understand others. All of these experiences have shaped me not only as a person but also as a professional. The experiences I hold close to my heart are the ones from my job back home as a waitress. My family owns their restaurant, where I have worked as a waitress since I was 15. I was scared to jump out of my comfort zone and initially was not ready to waitress. I only did it because my mother gave me an apron and told me to come on. Looking back almost 4 years later, I am utterly grateful and appreciative for that day. I have built numerous relationships because of that one day.

One skill that I have gained from this experience is my communication skills. At first, I was very shy and quiet, but now I am comfortable with public speaking and negotiating with people. After gaining these communication skills, I prefer face-to-face or on the phone rather than texting. Another skill I gained is the ability to multitask while under pressure. One example is being able to hold three plates, cash someone out, and talk while smiling, which everyone loves to do. Working in customer service has given me experiences that have helped me define myself as a person and have also helped build my confidence. Although communication is one of my biggest strengths, leadership is also one. At work, I would often be left in charge or looked at as someone who could assist others if needed. I can help guide others while fostering positivity through difficult situations. I can help guide others while fostering positivity through difficult situations. I also end up in leadership roles even if they are not purposeful at school. I blame this on feeling the need to be in control to ensure everything goes smoothly. I view this weakness as an opportunity to grow. I try to let others take leading roles if they are interested. If they are not, I am more than welcome to fill the role. I am grateful for the opportunity to focus on working myself while growing as an individual.

I am best known as someone passionate about personal development and committed to becoming successful. Before coming to college, I was comfortable in my small town, never feeling out of my comfort zone. Moving to Grand Valley took me out of my comfort zone completely. I did not know many people while trying to navigate around new surroundings. After living in Allendale for 6 months, I have built friendships that will last a lifetime, as well as a sound support system. After experiencing this, I can see only good change for myself, which has inspired me to focus more seriously on my personal development. I decided to major in advertising and public relations because of an advisor I met during Orientation. I was planning on attending school for digital marketing and had no clue what public relations was. She convinced me that this program was what I was looking for, and she was right. As I get to know the program more, I am incredibly thankful for the change. Although I am just an undergraduate student at Grand Valley State University, I continue working on getting out of my comfort zone. I have been stepping out of my comfort zone by joining the PRSSA club, which will allow me to learn more about the public relations industry and meet people going through the same situations.

The people who know me best describe me as honest, empathetic, witty, and charismatic. This is fitting because I tend to be humorous most of the time, but I am always there for my friends and loved ones when they need me. These traits allow me to form the foundation of a strong and effective life by being able to help others stand out, connect with my audience, and achieve my goals. My mission statement is to cultivate resilience and creativity while embracing challenges as opportunities for growth appear. I believe in these values because setbacks are not truly setbacks but are just tricky situations that help you develop as an individual. The goal I am focusing on the most right now is accepting change as I go through new challenges.  Although I am only 18, I aspire to be a public relations specialist in the business industry. This career is a good fit for me because it allows me to help build relationships and talk to people in a more advanced setting. I hope to work for a company that shares core values like passion, inclusion, and sustainability. I am interested in shaping and maintaining a positive image for my clients through strategic communication, branding, and crisis management. I bring honesty, communication skills, and empathy to the table, which are crucial in this industry. Without these qualities, the company may have poor credibility, ineffective messages, and a lack of audience connection. I want to be known for managing and cultivating positive client relationships. I hope to inspire people to be the best version of themselves and realize that pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is okay.