Meghan Newton
October 29, 2019
Meghan Newton (2019)
Meghan is a Project Manager at Intouch Solutions, a healthcare marketing agency. Before Intouch, she spent three years in educational publishing, helping create digital and print textbooks. She lives in Chicago with her one-eyed dog named Debbie. She’s training for her first two marathons and her legs are probably still tired from her run.
What year did you graduate and what was your concentration?
I graduated Fall 2013 with a concentration in Public Communication. I also double majored in English with an emphasis in American Literature.
What extra-/co-curricular activities did you do?
I was involved in TSODA, Alpha Sigma Gamma, and Sigma Kappa. In Greek Life, I had the opportunity to be a Gamma Chi to help lead young women through the recruitment process. I also was a facilitator for COMM 245: Rhetoric and Civic Life (Note to Dr. Self: I’m sorry for being late to every single class).
Meghan (back row, 2nd fr right) and her ΣΚ sisters (2012).
Did you go to grad school? If so, where? Was it immediately after you left Truman or did you wait? Why?
I did not go to grad school. I was accepted into a program for Rhetoric and Comp, but ultimately decided against it. I haven’t ruled out grad school entirely, but my BA from Truman continues to serve me well.
What was your first job after graduation?
I worked in educational publishing as a Content Coordinator at Discovery Education, building digital (and later, print) textbooks for K-12 learners. After my summer internship, they hired me on full time. In that role, I had the opportunity to write original copy, create an in-house style guide used for brand new content development, and project manage the upload of hundreds of manuscripts through our CMS.
It was the best first job and internship I could have asked for. I used both of my majors, learned something new every day, and had the opportunity to quite literally write something in the history books.
I now have a fine collection of math textbooks in my apartment and can say that I have recently used the Pythagorean theorem in my adult life.
What work do you do/What are you doing now?
Meghan and her puppy Debbie hanging out by the lake (2017).
I am a Project Manager at Intouch Solutions, a healthcare marketing agency. After about a year and a half on the Account side, I took my skills over to Project Management. I love what I do and working across multiple disciplines and keeping everyone in lockstep to meet our many deadlines. I live for a clean timeline, a well-structured project kick off, and proactive cost management.
Intouch continues to give me a world of experience across print, digital, and strategy work. I have the privilege of working with some super smart, creative, and strategic thinkers every single day. It’s a joy to be able to see them in action and to be on their team.
My first meeting at Intouch was a creative review, and it was real “pinch me” moment because I was hearing the words I heard in my classes at Truman used in the workplace. I regularly attend and lead creative reviews now, but that first meeting really made me feel like agency life is where I should be.
How has your Liberal Arts/COMM education helped you?
I have always loved that Truman took a more holistic view towards studying communication. I learned to listen, think critically, and then speak or write with purpose. Learning to listen and communicate with intention is something that I carry though every single day in the workplace and normal, non-working life.
Most importantly, I have learned to tailor both my written and verbal communication to the person I’m speaking with, whether it be a Medical Editor, Creative Director, or Developer. Everyone communicates differently. As a Project Manager I need the project to succeed, so that frequently means I need to let go of my preferred message channel in favor of another teammate’s preferred message channel. Maybe I prefer in person conversations, but our Analytics lead prefers an email? Cool, email it is! Whatever it takes to get my team the information they need through the best way to reach them.
Which class did you dislike at the time you took it, but now you’re grateful you took it?
I did not like Advertising at the time. My feelings have clearly changed. I can safely say that I use something from that class nearly every day in my career.
Meghan after finishing a half-marathon (2019).
What was your greatest accomplishment at Truman?
Conquering the rigors of Truman academics and a full plate of extracurriculars is truly an accomplishment. Turning in two capstone papers in the same week is also a great accomplishment.
But honestly, I am incredibly proud of never receiving a parking ticket while parking at Barnett without a permit many, many times. I did not frequently walk to Barnett because it is the worst walk in the entire world. How is it always windy? Why is it inexplicably cold? The sidewalk is too close to the road. Everything is bad about that walk (Editor’s note: Stop. It is not that bad! That is an odd complaint for a marathoner).
Why is Truman a good place for a student to study?
Truman gives you a chance to have a small school feel with a big school experience. You are able to have the same, if not more, opportunities as someone who went to a larger school, but you’re not a just one of a million students. Your professors get to know you, treat you like a real person, but also challenge you to be the best learner possible. You also are in a lot of the same classes with the same people, so you can really build a bond with the fellow Barnett residents. It’s a great place to challenge and be challenged.
What would you say a COMM student should absolutely do while at Truman?
Get an internship. I’m sure you’re very tired of hearing that word, but I will scream it at you every day if you ask. You have an amazing faculty behind you to help you craft that resume and cover letter. They have a wealth of experience and none of them are that scary, so talk to them and let them help you. You need experience to get started after graduation—it’s true.
What advice would you give someone who wants to go into the same line of work as you?
Meghan visiting the friendly confines of Wrigley Field (2019).
Say yes, be curious, and learn to listen more than you speak.
Especially when you’re just starting out, say yes to things and follow through. Say yes to helping out other people at work. It’ll give you exposure to other departments and you may find something else you’re interested in. That’s how I learned I wanted to be a Project Manager. Show that you can and will work hard through saying yes to things that may be out of your comfort zone.
Never assume anything. Ask questions. Asking questions does not mean you’re weak. You’re learning—and you’re always going to be learning.
You’re going to work with many different departments and many different personalities. Being able to empathize and communicate effectively is a huge part of any job. Be willing to learn from others through listening. Identify (still got it) with the folks you work with because you’ll be spending at minimum 40 hours a week with them.
And…get an internship at an agency. Agency experience is crucial. Tap into your network and let them know you’re interested.
What do you miss most about campus/Kirksville?
I miss being so close to all of my friends. I also miss La Pa and dollar margs deeply. The lower cost of living is also something I sorely miss.
What tag line would you create for the COMM department at Truman?
There is no part of me that is a copywriter.
Go with Cait Bladt’s “COMM: Ya Get Outta It What You Put Into It.” It is a very good tag line from a very good writer.
If you could come back to Truman and teach a class for a semester, what would be its title and what would it be about?
I would teach a class about Excel. You never think that you’ll actually use Excel but I cannot tell you how many times a quick VLookup or a Pivot Table has saved me hours of work. You will use Excel even when you have a COMM degree, trust me.
What did we not ask that you think is important for people to know?
I wish someone had told me that it’s okay to not know exactly what you’re doing right away after you graduate. It would have saved me numerous anxious nights. Yes, I know it looks like your whole Instagram feed has it all together all the time. Find something that interests you and follow that. Stay curious, stay present, and stop being so serious every once in a while.
Meghan (L) and her buddy Kayla in Chicago (2018).