To whom it may concern, 

 

During my time in Strategic Writing, I have learned to write with specific intent. Writing strategic message plans and creative briefs has allowed me to better write with purpose, making sure my words and message align with the overall goal of the company I’m writing them for. 

 

Learning to write strategic message planners has shown me how to better understand a product in order to better understand how to market it. I’ve learned that research is key, and the more you know about what you’re marketing and who you’re marketing to, the more successful you will be in doing so.

 

Before this class, I knew that advertisements evolved from research and I knew what a target audience meant, but I did not know how much depth this research entailed. I learned to use certain aspects of a product to market it to a specific audience. 

 

Writing creative briefs has shown me how to dive deeper into the target audience I’m working with. I’ve learned how to conduct relevant and factual research in order to better understand the target audience. By understanding how this audience operates, and what they already think about the product allows me to set more realistic and specific goals. Furthermore, these goals are backed by credible research. 

 

This class has also shown me how to use AI to better enhance my performance. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Journalism and Mass Communications does a great job of teaching us how to use AI to help us stand out. Being a part of the graduating class of 2026 comes with a lot of uncertainty regarding the job market and AI, but I have learned how to use AI to make me less replaceable, as opposed to being afraid of the technology.

 

This class allowed me to write in many different styles. For example, I wrote an article for an alumni magazine, a blog post subtly promoting a cafe, and a press release all targeting different audiences. I worked on a fictional zoo addition, the Bug Bungalow, and made a creative brief for the company along with a radio advertisement that followed. I created a strategic message plan, a social media schedule, and a print advertisement for a fictional meal plan SlimWhims. 

 

I furthered my ability to work in a group and collaborate to meet deadlines, communicate project goals, and disperse work among teammates. In this class, we had weekly projects due, furthering my ability to meet deadlines, as this overlapped with my other courses that also require multiple projects and articles. 

 

Lastly, I learned how to apply creativity to AP style writing. All through high school, we are taught to write in MLA or APA format in the style of a research paper. Then, in college we learn a whole new style with rigid rules and a focus on being neutral. Before this class, I felt like I struggled to show my own voice through AP style because of those rules. Now, I feel confident to write in AP style while still portraying my voice and who I am as a person. 

 

After this class I can confidently say I would love to work in advertising and public relations as a career. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the behind the scenes of advertising and all the ideas and research that come before the advertisement itself.

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Sincerely,

Josie Sutton