Member Spotlight

MEET PRSA AUSTIN CHAPTER MEMBER: ERICA SHUCKIES

NAME: Erica Shuckies

CURRENT LIVELIHOOD: Account Executive with Business Wire

CHILDHOOD AMBITION:  A marine biologist or veterinarian when I was younger, but I quickly realized that would require way too many science classes for my liking. A few years down the line, when the US women's soccer team won the World Cup, I was seriously considering trying to play soccer professionally.

DRAW TO THE COMMUNICATIONS FIELD: I really enjoy writing and creating, and then sharing those ideas with those around me.  I explored a few different things the first part of college, but eventually found public relations. My PR professors at CSU were so passionate about sharing the industry with their students, and that really lit a fire in me.

HOMETOWN:  I was born in Georgia, then moved to Colorado in middle school. I am a recent transplant to Texas within the past few years, but as they say - "I wasn't born in Texas, but I got here as fast as I could!"

MOST MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE AS A COMMUNICATIONS PROFESSIONAL:  Landing a great job that allowed me to move to Texas and start my career as a communicator. I had to be in Texas to start my job within a week and a half from when I accepted it, so the moving process happened very fast. It was a whirlwind but very exciting!

RECOMMENDED READS:  Being in the news and public relations industry, I am constantly reading up on current events, issues, news and financials. To give my brain a rest, I like to read light and fun fiction. It definitely keeps me sane. I also like to stay as healthy as possible, so I'm always looking at health and fitness blogs. A great one is fitnessista.com.

FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT AUSTIN AND FAVORITE AUSTIN RESTAURANTS: I love to fish, so you'll often find me on our bass boat on Lake Austin.  My boyfriend and I really enjoy traveling to the Texas coast when we get the chance. Mexican food is a weakness of mine. There is a small family-owned Mexican restaurant near our house that is, hands down, the best, most-authentic, Mexican food I've ever had. But, there's also nothing like dinner at Hula Hut while watching the sunset over Lake Austin.