HARLINGEN — Overachiever. Persistent. Smart. Dedicated. Responsible. Hard working.
These are the words Jennifer Crist, the Harlingen Chamber of Commerce’s communications manager, humbly uses to describe her strengths. And she’s using those skills to her advantage.
“This has been my dream job,” Crist said of the position at the chamber she has held for just more than two years.
Sitting comfortably in her own office, she talked about finding her way from college to a job that affords her the opportunity to do everything she enjoys and has a passion for – writing, communicating and working with social media.
“Everything I learned in class, I do here,” she added. “I have learned so much here and had a great time doing it.”
That, along with the position she holds and her future potential are all the reasons why Jennifer, 24, is one of Harlingen’s young, up and coming leaders.
But, it hasn’t come easy. There were times when Jennifer, the Illinois native who came to the Valley at a young age, had no clue what she wanted to do with her life. When she was a kid, she admits with a smile she wanted to be a bartender, then a vampire slayer and later a teacher.
Now, her future is much more realistic, clearer and she’s on her way.
Those at the chamber would agree, they’re happy she chose the communications road and is now in Harlingen.
It wasn’t exactly an easy or quick path.
She was overwhelmed heading to Texas A&M in Kingsville when she didn’t know what she wanted to major in. However, it didn’t take long for her to find her passion in communications, where she worked for the school newspaper as well as being involved with running the camera for football games, doing radio podcasts and so much more.
She said classes in her major ranged from media law to marketing. She loved everything.
But, most of all, she enjoys writing. An English major as well, Jennifer wanted to ensure writing was part of her future career.
After graduating in just three and a half years in December 2013, the choices for a career were again overwhelming. A communication degree allows for a wide range of choices. Her leaning – public relations.
For about six months, Jennifer sent out resumes and considered exactly what she wanted to do. On the same day, she had two interviews – one at the Harlingen Chamber and the other at the McAllen Monitor as a copy editor.
She had a decision to make.
“I had no idea what a Chamber of Commerce was or did or anything,” she said. “I didn’t know what a city manager or mayor does. I had no idea what I was getting myself into.”
At the newspaper, the pace would be fast and stressful as she realized during her long interview process.
But, it was the connections, networking and the idea of learning a new community in Harlingen that steered her toward the Chamber.
“My heart told me the Harlingen Chamber,” she said. “I didn’t know Harlingen but I wanted to branch out a bit. Everyone had told me the networking and people you will meet, so many doors will open.”
And, on top of it, her job includes writing, taking photos and video. She analyzes and works on the chamber’s website among other activities.
One aspect of the job she has learned much about – politics.
Although not much into that realm before, she now daily checks the news sites, newspapers and what is going on locally and throughout the state.
“I was never a fan of politics, but you have to be in this line of work,” she said.
One of her favorite activities now is going to Austin for Harlingen-San Benito Day at the capitol.
She even is pondering a future in politics, but still focused on writing – as a staff writer for a politician.
“That is a high stress atmosphere,” she said about writing for a politician. “It has to be right. It is a lot of pressure. Someone else is reliable to put their words on paper.”
She also isn’t ruling out moving further up the ladder in the public relations world or even chamber world.
“Eventually, I see myself running a department, overseeing employees,” she said. “I want to do a better job than the person before me. My dream is to take the lead and until then, just gain as much experience and know as much as I can. You can never know too much.”
