Photo courtesy of Steven Reed.
“PRISM played a pivotal role in helping me clarify not just what I do well professionally, but what truly aligns with my values, instincts and sense of purpose.”
One glance at Steven Reed’s resume and three names (other than his own) pop out immediately: Google, Apple and DoorDash. Since earning dual degrees in Business Marketing & Education and Human Resource Development from the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities, Reed has built a dynamic career in marketing, advertising, consulting and tech sales. He has worked with major brands while mastering the art of strategy and stakeholder alignment.
Yet, despite his success, something felt incomplete.
“In many of my previous roles within tech, sales and consulting, success was often defined by short-term results and performance metrics that treated people as drivers of outcomes rather than the focus of them,” he recalls.
Feeling unfulfilled and often misaligned with the direction of his professional impact, Reed decided it was time to prioritize the one name that matters most on his resume: his own. In deciding to pursue a master’s degree, Reed was also acting on a growing desire to navigate a career trajectory helmed by his internal compass.
“I was seeking more than advancement. I was seeking clarity, intention and ethical grounding in how I communicated and showed up in my work,” he states.
Reed began searching for a graduate program that could help him refine his voice, deepen his strategic thinking and connect him with a community that shared his values. He found all of that, and more, in USC Annenberg’s MS in Public Relations Innovation, Strategy and Management (PRISM) program.
“The PRISM program offered what I felt was missing: the ability to shape communication in a way that is intentional, human-centered, and accountable,” Reed explains.
It didn’t take long after enrolling for Reed to realize that he had made the right move.
“The smaller class sizes fostered meaningful dialogue and it was evident from the outset that the faculty and department were deeply invested in each student’s development,” he recounts.
Reed credits several faculty members with shaping his experience.
“Luckily, there hasn’t been just a single faculty member that has had such a positive impact on my experience,” he said. “A few, though, that have made significant and lasting impacts on my learning include professors Karen Jones, Dana Strokovsky (Go Birds!!), Ron Piovesan, Steve Caplan, Chris Kuechenmeister, and Nathan Berhe.”
Two courses taught by Professor Jones stood out in particular: Leadership and Ethics for Communication Practitioners and Employee Communication.
“They really shifted my perspective in ways I didn’t anticipate,” Reed recalls. “Developing my ability to communicate in certain settings, with ethical responsibility at the forefront, guided me in a clearer direction of what impression I want to leave in my work.”
These lessons didn’t just resonate in the classroom; they began shaping how Reed thought about his long-term professional identity.
“What I’ve learned in their respective courses has strongly influenced the direction of my career advancement moving forward, and I’m extremely grateful for that to be the case,” he notes.
When asked what surprised him the most about his PRISM experience, Reed happily shares that it was the connections he made with his classmates. Even as an online student, Reed felt deeply connected to his cohort.
“When I realized that several of my classmates and I had vested interests in how one another was doing in and out of class and work, I was blown away; the fact that people from across the country took the time to stay connected, even if some of them completed the program before others, only reinforced my feeling that I was a part of the right program for me.”
Additionally, pursuing an online program meant Reed could devote time to things outside of the classroom and work that he values.
“I’m a huge lover of [creating and consuming] art and music and I’m always excited to explore a new genre, artist, or exhibit,” he shares. “Spending time with art, music, and film has reminded me how powerful storytelling and emotion are, both personally and professionally.”
Reflecting on his journey, Reed hopes his story inspires others to embrace growth, even when it feels uncomfortable.
“One of the most meaningful lessons shared with me by my parents is that, ‘nobody’s line is straight,’” he says. “Through PRISM, I learned that it’s possible to make an impact outside of the status quo I once felt confined to.”
As he looks ahead, Reed carries not only clarity but a renewed sense of purpose and conviction in the direction he wants to take his career.
“I’m intentionally shifting toward roles that emphasize strategic communication, partnerships, and influence; spaces where I can help shape thoughtful narratives, guide ethical decision-making, and contribute to meaningful, lasting change. I now feel equipped to step into rooms I once thought were inaccessible and lead with both confidence and integrity.”
Steven Reed graduated from the PRISM program in December 2025.