Former St. Ambrose Bee turned Marketing Arsonist Brooke Hass keeps the MindFire team on task and on deadline. In this edition of Grill the Arsonist, she’s spilling how her college experience prepared her for a new role as project coordinator.

What made you want to get into the field of strategic communications?

It’s a combination of several things I love – writing, media and a fast-paced environment. Working on my high school yearbook led me to radio, newspaper and TV student organizations in college that helped me build not only my experience, but also my confidence. I loved seeing my work in the public, but I realized I didn’t want to be the one on camera or in the spotlight. I liked being behind the scenes.

Your specialty at MindFire is project management. What’s a great day like for you?

In project management, no two days are the same, and I never get bored. I guess that’s what makes each day great!

I love experiencing each project from start to finish. From the first client meeting that leads to a great strategy to helping analyze results, I am working with the internal team to make sure every step is completed on time – or even better – ahead of schedule!

You were your own “project manager” in college, too. You graduated Magna Cum Laude in three years. How did you do it?

I made great use of my time in college by filling up my class schedule. I loaded my semesters with credits, but that also meant I was always busy studying to keep my grades up. I stacked my schedule with working hours and internship experience that not only helped me pay for school, but also helped me learn industry skills. I might have missed out on some “college life,” but I think I walked away with a ton of confidence because of my accomplishments … and a lot less student debt!

What’s the best advice you’ve gotten as you moved from college into your career?

People tell me all the time to slow down. I heard it from my professors, and I still get it from my friends and family. They remind me to take a second to breathe. I don’t have to plan the next 40 years of my life all at once. The more people tell me to slow down, the more I realize I need to hear it.

If you weren’t in strategic communications, what else would you be doing?

I'd be a lawyer! I know, it sounds kind of cliché, but I would have Law & Order on in the background while I studied media law! Of course, that helped fuel my current love of true crime podcasts!

Last question is a tough one. Are you a dog or a cat person?

I’m a cat person. They are so low maintenance. Some cats, including my own cat Sunny, are just so grumpy, and I can kind of relate to that sometimes.