Erin Harper

Not all Communication Studies majors get their pictures taken with Boston Celtics captain, Paul Pierce, but Erin Harper, class of 2009, has been a fan since Pierce's college years, so it's fitting that her final co-op at the Reggie Lewis Center provided her with this photo opportunity.

During her time at Northeastern University, Erin has taken full advantage of Cooperative Education to explore the communications field. Erin's first co-op, as a PR assistant for the New York Liberty at Madison Square Garden, set her on a public relations career path and prompted her to pursue a Journalism minor to hone her writing skills.

The following year, Erin moved to New York again to combine two high profile part-time co-op positions, one with BWR Public Relations' corporate entertainment and lifestyle division and the other with Rolling Stone magazine.

Finally, Erin decided to stay in Boston for her third co-op to "return to my roots in sports." She worked in public relations and sports information for the Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Center @ Roxbury Community College, and will continue in this position past her graduation in January of 2009.

A fan of experiential education, Erin has supplemented her co-op experiences with additional internships at Clearchannel Boston (KISS 108) and Citadel Broadcasting of Worcester, as well as working for The Street Syndicate (Music Marketing Co.) as both a Boston and New York representative. She participated in a Dialogues of Civilization study abroad in Australia, and has also found time to volunteer as a Big Sister since 2007.

Erin tells prospective students: "Co-op is a GREAT chance to move around, literally — I'm very happy that I co-oped out of state twice. Co-op is also a great way to see what you want to do career-wise, and even more important, find out what you don't want to do. Also, in communications related co-ops, realize that you have to pay your dues, and believe that in the end they will pay off." We wish Erin well in what is sure to be a rewarding future.