Patricia Holdmeyer (Leonarz), alumna
Job Title: Stay-at-home mom
Attended SCSU: 1987-1991
Degree received: B.A. in Journalism and Communications
Education
B.A. Journalism
Job description
Hmm, let's see chauffeur, cook, maid, nurse, teacher, disciplinarian, motivator, etc.
Family
Husband, Kurt (global manager for an import/export company), son Nicholas, 4 (dob 12/06/99), and daughter Alexa, 2 (dob 5/2/02)
Memories of SCSU
The relationships I formed with roommates, colleagues at the Southern News and at work at Chavoya's (no longer there). I have great memories of working at the paper. Another strong memory is learning to juggle seven classes including newspaper reporting, radio, and videography while working two jobs and doing an internship. Professor Dunklee said I was a sucker for punishment since I had him for three classes in one semester. That year taught me the value of an organizer and living on six hours of sleep.
Most interesting thing that's happened to you since graduation
In 1994 I sold all my furniture, bought a new (used) car and headed south to Atlanta, Ga. Not having a job or knowing anyone in Atlanta, I settled in an extended stay hotel for three weeks before moving into an apartment. Within one month of arriving in Atlanta, I got a job at an import/export company, where I met my husband. I stayed with that company for two years before getting a job as a corporate event planner for a Destination Management Company (DMC). My job was to write and cost all the creative proposals which finally enabled me to use my writing skills. I guess packing it all up and heading south for a new start was the most interesting as well as the best thing that I ever did.
Life Since Graduation
My first job out of college was with Microtech Int. as an international costumer service rep. After that I did a brief stint in telemarketing before getting a job with F.A.S.T Inc., also as an international customer service rep and inside sales. I left that company to open a restaurant with a friend, Felix, in New Haven. I worked at El Amigo Felix for about a year before moving to Atlanta, Ga. In Atlanta I worked for AJC International in the order entry department for about six months before being promoted to documentation (import/export documents). After two years at AJC I got a job with Atlanta Arrangements, Inc. (a DMC) as the creative services manager. I stayed at Atlanta Arrangements until the summer of 2000, when I realized that it was very hard to juggle motherhood and work and giving both 100%. Since then I have been a stay-at-home mom. I keep busy by being involved in playgroups, doing volunteer work for St. Vincent de Paul, helping out at the preschool, and filling in for people at Atlanta Arrangements. I fell in love with the event-planning industry and plan on returning to it when my daughter starts kindergarten. In the meantime I am enjoying being with the kids and having the flexibility to travel when we want as well as visiting everything that Atlanta has to offer. My husband Kurt travels extensively for work and I have had the opportunity to with him on some trips.
Other comments
I wish I stayed in better touch with everyone; after I graduated everyone seemed to go their own way. I also wish I would have kept my notes from Hamilton-Merritt's magazine writing class. There are many times when I wish I could do freelance writing for a magazine, but feel that I lack the skills needed. I don't write much these days and could use those notes and books from her class in order to refresh my memory.
