The interactive session in the Dining Hall brought together students and a seasoned communications executive for a candid discussion about careers in public relations, networking, and the realities of entering a competitive job market.
Beltran, who has spent more than three decades shaping corporate communications strategies for global brands in hospitality, technology, and entertainment, shared lessons from her career working with companies such as The Ritz-Carlton, Disney, and Oracle. Drawing on those experiences, she discussed how communications professionals help organizations manage reputation, navigate crises, and build trust with stakeholders.
Throughout the conversation, Beltran emphasized that building influence in the communications field takes time and persistence.
“Getting that seat at the table is the hardest part,” Beltran said.
Reflecting on her career, she explained that building influence in the communications field often requires years of demonstrating results and earning the trust of leadership teams.
During the discussion, students asked questions about career paths, from launching their first job search to starting their own public relations firm. Beltran encouraged students to explore different opportunities and industries, noting that communications roles exist across a wide range of sectors.
“PR can be about earned media, but what we actually do is so much bigger than that.”
“You can take pretty much any industry and find a PR related job... It may be disguised as something else,” said Beltran.
Much of the discussion focused on preparing for the transition from college to the workforce. Beltran encouraged students to begin building professional networks early by engaging with industry leaders and peers on LinkedIn and seeking internship opportunities while still in school.
“There’s no magic method. The reality is it’s a hard (job) market.”
She also emphasized that while certifications and technical skills are valuable, strong professional habits often make the biggest difference when hiring managers evaluate candidates.
“I’m looking for all the certifications, yes, but for me it’s all about the basics. Are you on time, do you plan well?”
Beltran also spoke about the differences between classroom learning and real-world communications work, sharing examples from her career in hospitality communications, including the growing role of influencer marketing in showcasing hotel brands and connecting with audiences. She encouraged students to develop a niche within the industry while remaining open to opportunities that provide stability and room for growth.
Internships, she noted, can often serve as the first step toward a full-time career.
“At a lot of these companies, if you do an internship and you’re a superstar, you’ll likely get a full-time job.”
For many students, the opportunity to engage directly with an industry professional was one of the most valuable parts of the event.
Sophia Classon, a sophomore cinematic arts major who attended the session, said events like the lunch and learn help remove barriers that can make networking intimidating for students.
"I value these events because as a sophomore, I am really trying to be more involved. What I've been doing is reaching out to different production companies. Personally, I message them and am like, hey, can we chat? Let's have coffee? And this is basically them (Flagler) doing that hard part for you. They're bringing them (speakers) here; all you have to do is show up. And so, I can't stress enough how students should be attending these events... she's here, and she's ready to connect with us," said Classon.
Classon added that the quality of speakers invited to campus helps students better understand potential career paths.
"I think Flagler does a great job of identifying and inviting speakers that can really benefit us," Classon said.
The lunch & learn was one of several events held during COM Week, an annual series that connects Flagler students with communications professionals and brings real-world industry insight to campus.
Through conversations with leaders like Beltran, students are able to explore career paths, ask questions about the profession, and gain perspective that extends beyond the classroom.
