Job Q&A
by Ben Murray
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Monster.com: Tell me how you got to Influence.

Derrell Carter: I came to Influence in April 2000. I was at Fleishman-Hillard and had been researching and admiring what Influence was doing for about six months. I heard about an opportunity to help build its corporate communications team and jumped on it.

Mc: What does it mean to be a communications specialist?

DC: It means wearing a lot of hats. I assist communications strategists in managing day-to-day client communications issues. That includes developing media relations tactics, participating in client and team meetings and drafting communications material.

Mc: Describe your typical day.

DC: My typical day starts between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. I check voice mail and email and follow up on anything that needs to be completed from the previous day. I'll usually have several meetings scheduled with other team members to discuss strategies and tactics for clients. After that, I'm either writing communications material or on the phone pitching media contacts on behalf of clients.

Mc: How has your education helped your career?

DC: I have a bachelor's in public relations and a master's in media communications, so my degrees are right in line with what I do. My education has given me the theoretical and practical background that meshes with my daily experiences and helps me effectively perform my job. I utilize everything I've learned in one way or another. I also have training in Web development, organizational management and business, so that helps me to interact with others within the organization. It also helps me understand Influence's big picture and what we do as an organization.

Mc: Is it easy to run an e-business solutions company from St. Louis? Is geography a problem?

DC: It's not easy, but it can be done. Geography plays a part from the standpoint that the culture and mindset driving the West and East Coasts have not set in in the Midwest yet. We have equal talent and ideas in this area, but as in other instances, St. Louis hasn't taken the chance to step to the forefront.

St. Louis is rich in tradition, especially when it comes to business industries, but at the same time it plays against some New Economy initiatives, because the people best suited to support those initiatives won't take the chance to get behind them and lead them.

Mc: What is the most fulfilling part of your job?

DC: The most fulfilling aspect is two-fold. It's fulfilling to do an excellent job on behalf of a client -- to effectively write or communicate something to the media and its audience that is relevant and timely for them to know. Secondly, it's fulfilling for a media contact to interview someone or write something on behalf of the client. Those attainable and measurable results are what the client hired us for, and that's why I do what I do.

Mc: Is this what you thought you'd be doing 10 years ago?

DC: Yes and no. I knew I'd be writing, but I had no clue it would be in this environment. I wanted to be reporter, but moved into public relations because of journalism's economics. It's been an interesting time for me. I've learned a tremendous amount about business and how vital communications is to the bottom line. I'll definitely keep what I've learned and accomplished here close to my heart.

Mc: Where will you take it from here?

DC: To infinity and beyond!