Colleen Sikorski | Feb. 7, 2010
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| Photo by Chet Strange |
| Robert Dillon talked about his career as he advised J200 students on paths to their career goals. He is a communications director for the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. |
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“It just means I can’t keep a job,” he said, smiling when students asked how he found work across the United States, Europe and Asia. He’s lived in Alaska, Prague and Beijing during his career.
Today, Dillon is the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee communications director for the Republican party, but he began his career as a photojournalist in Alaska. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, he worked for weekly English language newspapers in the Czech Republic, and later, worked in Beijing, China, at that country’s largest English daily newspaper.
“Go where no one else wants to go,” he advised. “It’s about being willing to embrace adventure and take a risk.”
Dillon covered U.S. energy policy for three and a half years before switching to political public relations. He now works for Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska.
Emphasizing the differences between journalism and public relations, Dillon warned students about lazy reporting. Because journalists now have to produce more content, many don’t take time to write in-depth stories. Instead, he said, some reprint press releases, what he calls “American journalism at its worst.”
Dillon spoke repeatedly about the value of a degree and the benefits of having a well-rounded education. The great part about journalism, he said, is that a reporter uses all his or her experiences and continues to learn,
“You know nothing, but you’re going and learning about everything,” he said.
Freshman Kasi Schulz found Dillon’s talk reassuring. A double major in anthropology and sociology who also is pursuing a journalism certificate, she sometimes feels intimidated in journalism classes.
“He simplified something that appears daunting,” Schulz said.
“A lot of students go back and forth between ‘Do I want to do public relations or do I want to do journalism?’” said Neal-Estes. “He’s worked from both perspectives and been very successful in both areas.”
After his talk, Dillon answered questions and talked informally with a few students.
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