Navy Officers Bring Real-World PR Experience to Valenti Public Relations Class
University of Houston’s Valenti School of Communication recently hosted a unique and insightful guest panel for students in the public relations campaigns course, taught by Dr. Jennifer Vardeman.
Navy Public Affairs officers shared their diverse career experiences, highlighting both the challenges and rewards of managing communication on a global scale.
The officers engaged students with stories from the field, describing the scope of public affairs in the Navy and underscoring its value beyond traditional media work.
“Public Affairs is very diverse, it’s not just communication; it encompasses so many different things like event management, outreach and media relations,” said Public Affairs Officer Jill Brown.
PR in the Navy includes everything from planning events to building strategic relationships with the media, said Brown.
Students were intrigued to learn that public affairs officers coordinate operations worth billions of dollars, gaining skills that translate into leadership and strategic planning in any sector.
The speakers also encouraged students to find mentors early in their careers.
“Highly, highly recommend finding mentors while you're young... pick up the phone and ask somebody you think highly of, ‘Hey, would you mind being my mentor?’” said public affairs specialist Taylor Ardito.
Ardito added that many professionals are open to offering guidance, which can be invaluable as students shape their careers.
One of the session’s most compelling stories involved a real-life incident in the South China Sea, where a Navy team had to manage a potentially tense encounter with a foreign submarine.
“If someone can say something bad about you, the best thing you can do is get your side of the story out first,” Ardito said, illustrating the proactive stance needed in public relations, especially in high-stakes situations.
Such experiences give Navy public affairs officers a rare edge in crisis communication and strategic media management.
The Navy team also shared how technology has improved their ability to stay connected during deployments. Thanks to Wi-Fi provided through Starlink, officers can communicate with their families from the field.
“The cool thing about deployments now that they didn’t have a few years ago is that Elon Musk came along with Starlink... I was able to see the birth of my first child on FaceTime,” Ardito, underscoring the impact of technology on family life and morale for those stationed abroad.
The conversation wasn’t only about duty and deployment; the officers emphasized the personal and professional benefits of Navy life, particularly for public affairs officers who gain unique perspectives and access to exclusive government opportunities.
“I don’t have to worry about anything, my wife specifically has had a lot of health issues, unfortunately, and I never have to stress about being away because I know she can call an ambulance and I will not see a bill for it,” said Ardito.
As the session came to a close, students were left with a deeper understanding of the Navy’s public affairs roles and a broadened view of the possibilities within public relations.
With insights on leadership, crisis management and the balance of personal and professional life, the Valenti class gained valuable lessons on how PR skills apply in real-world, global settings.
For students seeking a career with variety, impact and the opportunity to work on a global stage, the Navy’s public affairs path offered an inspiring look into how PR skills can shape meaningful careers across sectors.