Career Spotlight: Public relations manager reflects on Hurricane Helene’s aftermath
By Lena Garrard | Staff Writer
This article highlights the challenges, experiences, and advice of Cassidy Harris, a public relations manager for the Columbia County Board of Commissioners. Harris shares insights into her career, education, and valuable tips for those aspiring to enter the public relations field.
Harris began her academic journey as a business administration major with a focus on marketing. Initially aiming for a career in sales, she didn’t plan to work in public relations. However, her sales position in hospice care connected her with county government, leading her to seize the opportunity when a public relations management position became available. Since then, Harris has thrived in the PR field.
“I never thought I would work in government or communications,” Harris said. “But here I am, and I honestly love it. There’s never a dull moment in PR.”
When asked about her most challenging experiences, Harris pointed to Hurricane Helene as the defining moment of her career. “The magnitude and impact of it all forced us to pivot and change how we operated very quickly,” she said. With widespread power outages and disrupted cell service, reaching the public became a significant challenge.
“We tried every avenue possible,” Harris explained. “Eventually, we turned to social media for video updates because we found that people with power or internet access were sharing the information with friends and relatives.” While no single method worked perfectly, social media proved to be the most effective communication tool during the crisis.
Even now, Harris said the aftermath of Hurricane Helene continues to affect the county’s public relations efforts. Residents expect a certain level of service, and complaints about the cleanup process often land on the local government’s desk.
“It has been challenging to navigate the debris removal process,” Harris admitted. “Since we’ve contracted the work out, we don’t directly control the progress, but we still have to respond to residents, offering reassurance, updates, and information.” Acting as a liaison between contractors and the public, Harris said, is one of the more difficult aspects of her role.
For those interested in pursuing public relations, Harris shared two key pieces of advice. First, she emphasized the importance of not taking things personally.
“People can be very passionate about their beliefs and how they express them,” she said. “But you have to remember, they’re not necessarily mad at you.” Harris explained that maintaining empathy and putting yourself in others’ shoes can help keep things in perspective.
Second, she encouraged students to stay adaptable and eager to grow. “Never put yourself in a box,” Harris advised. “Watch a YouTube video, attend a conference—do whatever helps you remember there’s never just one right way to do things. Push beyond your boundaries, stay open-minded, and don’t settle for where you are.”
Contact Lena Garrard at legarrard@augusta.edu
