Gibson Pitts Beneath the Surface

      Gibson Pitts, 21, may seem like your ordinary Charlestonian, but little do you know that she is a world wide traveler and Oscar enthusiast. Pitts is a Folly Beach native who shares a passion for the ocean, videography and photography.

     One of her other interests that was inspired by her father is traveling. Her father who works for Spawar, which deals with electrical engineering for the navy, is currently living on base in Naples, Italy with her mother and two brothers, Joseph and William.
     This situation is not foreign for Pitts. She lived in Naples when she was in grade school for two years and also lived in London for one and a half years when she was eight due to her fathers job placements.
     One detail to this situation Pitts has not adjusted to yet, is her ability to see her family. "I haven't seen my family in over a year, but I did visit about a year ago" Pitts said.
     She is currently living with her Aunt and Uncle on James Island to have family comfort and to still enjoy the local Charleston feel.
     Pitts has a passion for going to the beach, kayaking, writing and going out on the weekends with her friends. Her two closest friends are Mackenzie from Syracuse, NY and Hayden, who is from Austin, Texas. Mackenzie, Hayden and Gibson like to eat at the Lost Dog on Folly Beach and go to Midtown Bar on the weekends.

     One of the more discrete passions Pitts indulges in is her love for video production. "My dream is to win an Oscar for best director, screen play or film." Pitts said. She has a niche for video editing and plans on making her dream a reality.
     While discussing her dreams she also explained her fear of heights. Pitts has decided that because she has a fear of heights she is going to make herself go skydiving to face her fear.

     From talking with Pitts it is undeniable that she is a go getter and is willing to face her fears and make her dreams a reality.

Lindenburg's Words of Wisdom

Keith Lindenburg, the chairman of the College of Charleston's Department of Communication Advisory Council, spoke in our class this past Friday sharing key advice for future communication scholars.

The advisory board is compiled of a wide variety of communication professionals, with the purpose of mentoring communication undergraduates in choosing a career and exploring the different communication fields.

Lindenburg has excelled in corporate communications for almost 30 years and has worked in many different settings. He previously served as managing director for Deloitte, a national public relations company. According to the council's website, "In his role, Keith led the external communications function in the U.S., including media relations crisis communications, and executive eminence." Throughout his career he worked in PR, corporate communication, strategic planning, reputation managements, executive counsel, business development and internal and external communications.

From his many years of expertise, Lindenburg shared valuable words of wisdom for our class for those who are seeking a profession in communications. He touched upon three major points.

Lindenburg said "The first thing you should do is develop a relationship with your clients, relationships are the number one and most important thing in communications, you must network yourself. 

The second point that I think is very important is the ability to tell and write a story. Also, to be able to create your own by line...The third key element is to have interpersonal skills. Create and learn to have an elevator pitch. Ask yourself what can you do for the company?"

Lindenburg honed in on these three major point throughout the majority of his talk. He also gave other small valuable pieces of advice, for instance, "Do your research and distance yourself from the other competitors; have passsion". Passion was a key element to success in Lindenburg's eyes because he would much rather higher someone with natural ability and talent, than someone who looked impressive on paper.

Towards the end of his presentation many students had asked what little steps we should be taking at this moment he responded with, "Linkedin". Linkedin would not only help us right now, but to create future contacts.

Lindenburg's words of wisdom not only benefited future communication applicants, but young professionals as a whole. The advisory council at the College of Charleston is an impressive aspect of the communication department that every communication major should take advantage of.