Name: Hannah Beers
Graduation Year: 2016
Major: Advertising/Public Relations & Government
Current Position: Senior Associate at Clout Public Affairs
City and State: Jefferson City, Missouri
Tell us about your career and what you do now.
Currently, I work in the political and public affairs space with Clout Public Affairs as a lobbyist and consultant. Clout is a subsidiary of the largest Republican consulting firm in the country, Axiom Strategies (which started right here in Kansas City, Missouri). I work with a series of clients and candidates to promote causes, pass legislation, and help get great people elected!
What is your favorite memory from Evangel?
Narrowing down one favorite memory from my time at Evangel is nearly impossible. Dinners in the cafe, campus events, movie nights in the dorm, planning ESGA meetings, and powerful moments in the chapel all stick out to me.
However, one of my most vivid memories is from my last moment living on campus. It was the Saturday after graduation. The students had moved out, and my friends and I had all parted ways. I had just finished clearing out my office in the ESGA lounge and walked out to stand and look at the clock tower once more as an EU student. As I stood there, looking at the scripture on the side, it was a powerful moment of knowing that each and every moment I spent at Evangel University was precisely what God had intended for my life, and I would reap the benefits for years.
The scripture was 1 Samuel 7:12, “Thus far, the Lord has helped us.” And he has continued.
How did Evangel help you identify/develop your calling?
Evangel is so much more than a university. Not only do you receive a top-rated education, the Evangel community encourages growth and development. The most important truth I came to understand is that my career was my own personal brand of ministry.
How did your experience at Evangel prepare you for life after graduation?
Knowing how to put together a healthy and effective team, and make those individuals feel respected is vitally important in your career. In my line of work especially, ego often gets in the way. Evangel gave me the tools I needed to see others’ strengths and identify ideal strategies to achieve real-world results with a Christlike mindset.
What advice would you give a current student preparing for the workforce?
The most important piece of advice I can pass along is to make connections. That is a major part of the college experience. A great GPA alone will not land you a job. Knowing individuals in your sector will be vitally important in the job search process. Do an internship, volunteer, and find a mentor in your field.
What would you look for if you were in a position to hire new graduates from Evangel?
Something that people our age often get associated with is an unwillingness to roll up our sleeves and work hard. In the political world, there is no excuse for hard work. If I were looking to hire new graduates, I would look for those who had gone above and beyond the basic requirement, networked outside of their friend group, and are willing to do the hard work that isn’t glamorous.