Paul Verke
Cal Poly - B.A. English, 1988
Other degrees/certificates:
M.A. English, CSU Sacramento, 2002
Current city/state:
Fair Oaks, CA
Employer:
California Dept. of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Press Office
Professional Website:
Job Title:
Public Information Officer II
How Long in Current Position:
2 years with this agency, 21 years with the State of California
Brief description of position duties/responsibilities:
Spokesperson, Write/Edit Press Releases, Web Content, Reports, Video Scripts, Speeches. . .Photography, Media Event Planning, Media Training.
What specific qualities/abilities, skills are necessary for this position:
Project management, writing skills, people skills, knowledge of the media, analytical (ability to learn about a wide range of subjects, and translate this knowledge to a general population). Public speaking.
While at Cal Poly, what resources did you take advantage of that have helped you in your current position:
Classes in other majors (Biology, History, Music). All of the upper level English classes helped me, as did the electives. Philosopy, Critical Thinking also helped, as did Statistics. Knowledge of music and literature has helped keep me happy, generally, throughout my life.Classes at SLO helped me to promote our agency's alternative energy programs (Conservation, Limnology, Geology), and create this site: http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/CDCR_Going_Green/index.html
Skills in research, ability to communicate all learned at SLO, honed in graduate school.
What advice would you give to someone interested in your profession?
Working in government can be very rewarding, but also challenging. Obtaining an advanced degree prior to this can open up your job opportunities. Some agencies grant leave time to attend graduate school, as it is considered job training. Cal Poly taught me the "learn by doing" concept; in government agencies must do increasing amounts of projects with fewer economic and staff resources. So, creativity must be used at times. Stay creative. Being an expert in your field is only part of the puzzle.
Is there anything you'd like to personally add about how you found your way to your current career since graduating from Cal Poly as an English major? Any memorable epiphanies that marked major turning points on which path you chose?
I was fortunate to be hired as a researcher/editor on a project on traditional Californian artists (folk arts, native Californian). My research skills, and love of language have opened a lot of opportunities, and I feel fortunate. Early on I found out that all of the "writing" jobs went to the Public Information Officers, so I worked at becoming one. I have conducted press conferences in the desert, been interviewed or conducted interviews with state, national and worldwide media.