PR professional hit hard by the economy wants your help
December 13th, 2008 |
We are in the worst economic situation of the past 25 years, and the tech sector in the Valley has been hit hard. I thought instead of commenting on each layoff as it happens, it would make the whole thing more tangible to look at how actual people are affected. I invited a friend of mine, Cathy Browne, to talk about her situation. I hope if you have a kind word, or better still, a lead on a career opportunity for Cathy, you will leave a comment below, or contact her by email or through Twitter. Thank you. - Joel
Guest Post by Cathy Browne
It’s hard for me to write this without tears falling onto my keyboard. Last week I gave my landlord notice to put my wonderful little cottage apartment up for rent. My savings are gone. My visitor’s visa will expire in six weeks. After several years in Silicon Valley, I will have to leave the U.S., my adopted family, my precious cats, my friends and the life I cherish here. This is, and will always be, home to me, and I am broken-hearted.
I’ve been a tech PR practitioner for 25 years. People tell me I’m good at it. I love my profession, working with media and analysts, start-ups and all things geeky. I’m also legally blind, but I manage to fake it until I encounter a glass door or a name tag I can’t read. Besides, you don’t need to see much to tell a good story.
I’ve watched PCs, email, voice mail, fax machines, the Internet and cell phones emerge to become the things we take for granted. Now I’ve embraced social media big-time, and I’m as excited about its potential as anything else I’ve ever seen. I want to help integrate SM into PR programs for tech companies who haven’t even thought of it yet.
But I’m stuck. As a Canadian, I can’t work in the US unless I have a visa – a process that many employers consider too complicated and lengthy to take on. And who can blame them? There are so many deserving, smart people out there who, like me, are looking – and they’re a snap to hire.
I get that. But I am aching to work. And I have to work to support myself. So I scour Web sites for opportunities, I network, I live on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter (my new addiction) and I meet with terrific people. I don’t intend to give up until I’m dragged kicking and screaming onto my Air Canada flight.
Why do I bother? Why don’t I just go back? I love it here. I love the work ethic, the energy and the attitude that pervades this Valley. I love that my time here has injected that enthusiasm, curiosity and desire to succeed into me. I feel 20 years younger. And most of all, I feel I still have something to contribute.
If you are a VC, company or agency out there who recognizes the critical importance of PR and needs help, take a chance on me before I have to leave at the end of January. Let me work for you for a day or two – for nothing – to prove my worth. Throw whatever you have at me, and if you like what you see, hire me. Give me an offer letter and I’ll fly up to Vancouver, go through the usual hassles at Customs, and come back legal. You’ll be happy you did.
If you’re interested, let’s talk. You’ll find me on Twitter, @mscathybrowne, and on email at cb@cathybrowne.com.
Thanks for listening. Happy holidays.
Tags: Canada, Canadian, visa, Cathy Browne, recession, Silicon Valley, career, opportunity, Bay, Area, Tech PR
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I’ve worked with her over seven years. She’s really good at PR.
Comment by Roistacher — December 14, 2008 @ 7:19 pm
Have you considered becoming a US citizen? That would eliminate the visa issue, but of course, not solve the employment issue.
Comment by Mark L. Olson — December 14, 2008 @ 8:22 pm
Hey Cathy, I retweeted Chris Brogan’s tweet! Best of luck to you
Comment by Heather in Beautiful BC — December 14, 2008 @ 8:23 pm
I wanted to take a moment and offer you some encouragement. I hope that you are strong because you are in for a ride, but if you can take these bumps in your road, then expect something greater on the other side. Be faithful and EXPECT the phenomenal!
Comment by stephanie — December 14, 2008 @ 9:17 pm
Sorry Cathy, I don’t have a lead. I wish I did. I truly wish you the best and I’m crossing fingers some company will take you on. We need people like you, hard working and tech savvy professionals, to STAY here. Best of luck
Comment by Lisa M — December 14, 2008 @ 9:18 pm
Cathy, your story makes me so sad. I think that there are going to be more social media opps in DC now that Obama’s administration is about to move in. I wish you luck and I will keep an eye out for any opportunities.
Comment by Karen S — December 14, 2008 @ 9:44 pm
I feel your pain and I hope that you find a spot that will enable you to stay. I know the feeling. I started selling real estate at the start of the downturn. My story is similar to yours with the exception that I am a citizen. I hope we BOTH find better opportunities in the new year.
Comment by Jody — December 14, 2008 @ 9:48 pm
wow - this hits home! I think this might turn into an example of the power of social media in PR, on your behalf. I’ll keep my ear to the ground, my fingers-knees-hell-even-my-EYES crossed that a fat project lands in your lap, and await word that Air Canada’s off your personal radar.
Comment by Mighty Casey — December 15, 2008 @ 9:00 am
I can offer some work to you, and you can work from home. Nothing huge at the moment, but it may be steady income. I don’t know your skills or anything, so please contact me through the form on omnitheme.com
Comment by Dan — December 16, 2008 @ 12:14 pm
Hi Cathy,
I’m a founding member of a new start up…we are in set up mode now, but I will be hiring a PR staff in March/April. If you are able to work until then we might find something that works out great for both of us. Please send me your resume if you are interested.
In the interim we are putting together an advisory board to review our critical business practices and initial marketing/PR plans… it is a small qtrly stipend and a small bit of equity… but we haven’t found a good senior PR professional yet to fill the current need so that might be an option as well.
Regards,
Charlotte
Comment by Charlotte — December 18, 2008 @ 9:44 pm
[...] still remains positive about, and protective of, the art of social media. You can find more of her story here. No Comments so far Leave a comment RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI [...]
Pingback by (Anti) Social Media? Not in My Twitterverse… « Mediaphyter - A Communications Cocktail — December 18, 2008 @ 10:44 pm
Hi Cathy,
I’m so sorry to hear your plight. I have a bunch of friends at PR and marketing agencies that I’d be happy to ping for you. You can reach me on twitter @morganb (i already follow you, if you don’t follow me) or via email morganb(at)gmail(dot)com. I’d be happy to make some introductions and see if anything shakes out.
Best of luck to you!
Morgan
Comment by Morgan — December 18, 2008 @ 11:02 pm