What’s Next for Natalie Richards ’26 Richards, a strategic communication major, will be working at Rational 360 as a Public Relations Fellow.

Office of Communications and Public Affairs
July 2, 2026

Natalie Richards ’26

Major: Strategic Communication

Minors: Art history and poverty and human capability studies

Hometown: Charleston, South Carolina

What are your post-graduation plans?

I will be working at Rational 360 as a Public Relations Fellow in Washington, D.C.

What are some skills or lessons you will take from your academic experience into the professional world?

W&L’s Journalism and Mass Communications Department gave me thorough exposure to various types of writing, which really shaped me as a communicator. In public relations writing courses, I learned how to conduct thorough research, support client goals and develop my attention to detail through crafting a variety of deliverables. In news writing courses, I learned how to write objectively, manage competing deadlines and distill complex information into compelling stories. This holistic approach to learning how to write well will allow me to adapt quickly in different professional environments post-grad.

How did your career plans evolve throughout your time at W&L? Did you always know what you wanted to do?

I entered W&L without a clear idea of what I wanted to study and was drawn to the broad and interdisciplinary approach to learning with a liberal arts education. I appreciated taking courses in various subject areas to fulfill the required foundation and distribution offerings, which led me to major in strategic communication and minor in art history and poverty and human capability studies, all areas I hadn’t studied before W&L. I also appreciate the flexibility that the liberal arts education allows, as it encouraged me to explore a variety of my interests.

What was your favorite class? And is there one class that ended up changing your perspective or that really surprised you?

I really enjoyed the course JOUR 325 Crisis Communications with Professor Ady Dewey. I had the chance to contribute to the development of comprehensive crisis communications plans for the cities of Lexington and Buena Vista, Virginia. We met with city officials, identified their goals and crafted detailed plans that the city government could reference in future crises to communicate with stakeholders, maintain media relations and preserve public credibility. This course allowed me to identify my interest in a career in crisis communication and issue management, which I would not have known if I had not enrolled in this course.

What were some key organizations/clubs/activities you were involved in at W&L and how did they shape your W&L experience?

Outside of academics, a highlight of my W&L experience was being an Appalachian Adventure trip leader as part of the Leading Edge program. I co-led first-year students on five-day backpacking trips on the Appalachian Trail and really loved the chance to explore the beautiful scenery around W&L, learn new technical backpacking skills and form connections with students in different grades. This experience also developed essential life skills, like collaboration, communication and community-building.

What internships or other summer experiences did you partake in, and how did those experiences shape you and your career plans?

Completing the internship requirement for the strategic communication major was helpful in introducing me to different career paths and developing skills I plan to apply post-grad. In the summer of 2025, I worked as an email marketing intern at Cobble Hill Digital, a full-service digital marketing agency. I gained experience writing email content, using different marketing automation platforms and interpreting analytics to inform strategy and optimize future sends. I also learned that I really enjoy the agency environment, especially attending meetings with clients and gaining exposure to digital strategy and agency-client relationships. I left with strengthened interpersonal skills and insights into navigating client management.

How did the Office of Career and Professional Development support you, and which resources did you find most helpful?

I used the Office of Career and Professional Development throughout my internship and job searches for networking tips, resume building and interview prep. It was easy to make last-minute appointments and ask for advice on all aspects of my job search, from how to start a job application to what to wear to an interview. I made strong connections in the Office of Career and Professional Development and felt that each individual was invested in student success.

Did you connect with alumni during your time at W&L? How did they help you on your path?

I used Colonnade Connections to connect with W&L alums in various fields that interested me. W&L alumni were often enthusiastic to hop on a call with me and describe their job, background and share tips for entering into their industry. On numerous occasions, alumni followed up with me to let me know that a new position had opened up or to share other opportunities I might be interested in. During both internship and job searches, I experienced firsthand how strong the W&L alumni network is.

What’s been one of your favorite experiences over the last four years?

My sophomore year, I participated in a Spring Term Abroad course ARTH 268 Modern Art in Barcelona: From Gaudí to Dalí. As an art history minor, I really appreciated the opportunity to experience the incredible artworks that I had studied in the classroom, but in person with Professor Elliott King and with my classmates.

How has studying the liberal arts at W&L shaped how you see the world?

Studying the liberal arts at W&L has taught me how to think critically about the interconnectedness of different subject areas. As a poverty and human capability studies minor, I completed a capstone research project on ethical representations in nonprofit advertising. This project allowed me to apply various ethical frameworks I’ve learned through classes like JOUR 345 Media Ethics to my knowledge of advertising approaches developed through strategic communication courses and to identify ways nonprofit organizations can communicate their work in ways that respect dignity. Last Spring Term I took an art history course called The Ethics of Display, where I am continued to explore how we can responsibly display and consume art and visual culture. The liberal arts at W&L allows me to consider important questions from a multidisciplinary perspective.

What advice would you give to next year’s graduating class?

I would recommend that next year’s graduating class prioritize learning as much as possible about the different career paths that interest them. W&L alumni are so eager to hear from current students and share their experiences and advice. You may stumble upon an unexpected field or job that excites you or realize that your current plans might not be the best fit. It is always worth learning as much as possible about the different opportunities you can explore. And you never know how the connections you make now will help you later on in life.