Hannah Schwartz MCM’25, COM’24, a Communications Coordinator at Bayer, recently worked on Bayer’s “Take Care, Now” campaign (the campaign features a partnership with country music star Luke Bryan), aimed at improving access to health and nutrition in farm and rural communities across America.

“Working on Bayer’s “Take Care, Now” campaign has been a truly insightful experience that has allowed me to see firsthand how a national campaign comes to life from initial planning to execution,” Schwartz said.

Schwartz traces her early career success to the knowledge and experiences she gained at SC&I both as a Communication major, and as a current Master of Communication and Media student. Schwartz took advantage of the MCM 5+ Year BA/MCM Program offered by SC&I and began earning her MCM while she was still a senior.

As a Communication major, Schwartz specialized in Strategic Public Communication and Public Relations. By choosing this specialization, Schwartz said, she realized she could combine her passions for writing, social media, and human connections. She also earned a minor in Business Administration from the Rutgers Business School.

Schwartz said the Communication major was ideal for her, explaining, “As someone who wasn’t 100% sure what I wanted to do, I loved the flexibility and adaptability of the major.”

In our interview, Schwartz discusses her role at Bayer, her time as president of Scarlet PR at SC&I, and the knowledge she gained as an undergrad that she applies to her job today.

Describe to us your current role as a Communications Coordinator at Bayer. What does a typical day look like for you?
HS: As a Communications Coordinator, no day looks the same for me. It really depends on what’s going on that week! I work across various teams on integrated strategic storytelling to elevate the brand on both internal and external channels, such as social media, newsletters, web, and more.

I’m involved in planning and supporting campaigns from brainstorming and strategy to planning to execution. Some tasks I typically work on include event coordination, content creation, media relations, and so much more.

While you were a SC&I undergrad, you were also President of ScarletPR. How did this role benefit your studies?
HS: I joined ScarletPR in my junior year and immediately applied to be an assistant account coordinator for two clients. ScarletPR was such a beneficial part of my time at Rutgers. Not only did I gain hands-on experience, but I also met so many amazing people and built connections with peers and professors I would not have met otherwise.

Don’t be scared to fail or try something new. Being young and a member of Gen Z is valuable. You have fresh perspectives and new ideas to bring to the table. Don’t be scared to speak up and share them.

You are currently working with country music star Luke Bryan on a project to help Americans living in rural areas. What has this experience been like and what have you taken away from it?
HS: This initiative is focused on improving access to health and nutrition in farm and rural communities across America, and part of this involves a partnership with country star Luke Bryan on his Farm Tour.

Working with such a diverse group has taught me how essential clear communication, adaptability, and mutual support are in making a campaign successful. Overall, being involved in “Take Care, Now” early in my career has given me a deep appreciation for the strategic and collaborative efforts behind crafting impactful campaigns.

What notable SC&I classes and professors impacted you?
HS: Professor Mark Beal hugely impacted my time at SC&I, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without him. He makes an effort to get to know each student and their career goals, so he can know how to best support them. The hands-on experiences of his classes were extremely valuable during my time at SC&I.

Why did you decide to pursue the masters program, and why do you enjoy it?
HS: I chose to pursue the 4+1 master's program because it aligned perfectly with my undergrad studies, and it was a huge plus to be able to get my master's in just one year by starting grad classes during my undergrad senior year. I'm very lucky to have had the chance to continue my education with the amazing professors and opportunities at Rutgers. For example, I took a class with Professor Beal called Purposeful PR, and he connected each student with a PR professional to interview who works in a field they're interested in. I also learn so much from my peers, and I find myself making connections to the real-world work that I'm doing.

How do you manage your schedule, working full-time at Bayer while pursuing a master’s degree?
HS: Balancing full-time work with a master’s program is definitely not an easy task, but it’s taught me a lot about prioritization and time management. I stay organized by using my calendar app religiously and keeping detailed to-do lists to track everything from work to class to chores and my personal life. I’ve learned to be strategic and take advantage of early mornings, lunch breaks, and weekends to get schoolwork done. I'm also very lucky to work at a place like Bayer that values flexibility and trust.

What advice would you give students looking to pursue a career in public relations?
HS: Take advantage of the countless resources at Rutgers. Make meaningful connections with professors and peers and stay in touch with them after you graduate. You never know where a connection will lead! Take on leadership roles in your extracurriculars and step out of your comfort zone.

Don’t be scared to fail or try something new. Being young and a member of Gen Z is valuable. You have fresh perspectives and new ideas to bring to the table. Don’t be scared to speak up and share them.

Learn more about the Communication major and the Master of Communication and Information programs at the Rutgers School of Communication and Information on the website.