FTG 0051 – Traveling Globally, Working Locally with Communications Pro and Food Blogger Jessica Paholsky ’14

Following the Gong, a Podcast of the Schreyer Honors College at Penn State

09/05/23 • 56 min

Overview:

Jessica Paholsky ’14 A&A, Com is a digital communications specialist at TE Connectivity in Central Pennsylvania. She has previously worked in external communications roles in several industries including magazines, travel, and education – both K12 and higher ed. Jessica graduated from Penn State’s College of Arts and Architecture and Bellisario College of Communications with degrees in photography and visual communications, respectively, and completed her honors work in photojournalism and Italian. She is also the founder and creator of Once Upon a Pesto, a global cultural exploration of pesto-based recipes, including an upcoming cookbook. Jessica joins Following the Gong to talk about her experience in the arts and communications at a large public university like Penn State, the value of studying abroad and combining majors, and making connections on campus. She then provides insight into working in communications roles as both an individual contributor and team leader, as well as living and working in smaller markets like Hershey or Lewisburg. This episode is great for any Scholar – especially any foodies – and particularly for Scholars in the arts or communications fields. Her full bio and a detailed breakdown of topics discussed are available in the show notes below.

Guest Bio:

Jessica Paholsky ’14 A&A, Com is a digital communications specialist at TE Connectivity in Central Pennsylvania where she oversees various internal communications projects and plans, focusing on video production and other digital platforms. Before working at TE, Jessica worked at Milton Hershey School, Bucknell University, Men's Health magazine and a teen travel company called Travel for Teens - all where she produced marketing and informational video content from start to finish. Outside of her full-time job, she is the founder and creator of Once Upon a Pesto, a global cultural exploration of ingredients and recipes, which she is publishing as a cookbook. Jessica earned her BA in visual communications from the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications and her BA in photography from the College of Arts & Architecture with dual minors in international arts and international studies and with honors in photojournalism and Italian from Penn State in 2014. She is happy to speak further about digital marketing and social media. Please feel free to connect with Jessica on LinkedIn (Jessica Paholsky) and other social media channels (@onceuponapesto).

Episode Topics:

Choosing Penn State for its art program without being an art school
Taking a passion for photography to the next level with a major and co-curricular opportunities
The value of combining majors from different colleges at Penn State
Making the most of study abroad opportunities
What frescoes are – and where to find some right at University Park
Creating a documentary for the thesis project, including a crash course on all things olive oil
Making the most of alumni visits to campus in career development
Different types of organizations that need videography work and non-traditional markets for creative work
Universal skills for any career or industry
Leading teams of creatives beyond being a technical individual contributor
Taking the skills from the thesis to other projects, like writing an entire cookbook!
Insights on pesto
Finding community in smaller cities and towns as an alum
The importance of living a life with purpose