By Britney Tiller

Just off the southern coast of Georgia lies a 10,000 acre barrier island called St. Simons Island. Once a silent backwater, it is now home to some major resorts as well as a vast array of golf courses. Sound like a paradise? According to Maxine Hernandez Smith, it is.

“My husband and I absolutely love playing golf and taking our boat out for a spin,” Smith says.

Smith got her start at Virginia Highlands Community College in Abingdon, quite a distance from the sandy beaches of southern Georgia. At Virginia Highlands, she received her associate degree in business administration. She then came to ETSU to pursue a passion for writing, receiving her bachelor of science in Mass Communications with a concentration in public relations in 1978.

“My love of journalism began at the age of 6,” Smith says. “My father was always interested in writing and my mother was a high school English teacher, so I was doomed! I also used to write short stories and poems for entertainment.

“I am one of those fortunate people who have always known what they wanted to do. Journalism has always been my passion. In order to make more money professionally, though, I expanded those talents into public relations.”

Smith is now co-owner and marketing director of Southeastern Air Service Inc. However, her enormous success did not come without a struggle.

“I was always willing to work hard during my years at ETSU,” Smith says. “Sometimes I held as many as two jobs, an internship and attended classes at the same time. I couldn’t imagine having that crazy energy now.”

The 1978 ETSU graduate has had her share of obstacles along the way as well.

“After graduating from ETSU, I got a job as the assistant director of public relations for The United Co., a major employer in the Bristol/Southwest Virginia area,” Smith says. “I was there from 1978 to 1988 and we were all like family. The day they let about a dozen of us go was like someone had died.”

However, the obstacle didn’t even slow Smith down.

“I was able to find another job quickly and it turned out for the best because it was with the Bristol Chamber of Commerce,” Smith says. “I had lived in Bristol for more than 30 years and didn't really learn about my hometown until I took the job.

"That year, I was also selected to represent Rotary International on a Group Study Exchange program for six weeks in India. If I had not been at the Chamber, I would never have had that amazing experience.”

Smith’s exotic experiences don’t end there. The ETSU graduate traveled to the islands -- Jekyll Island, off Georgia -- to serve as public relations and special events manager for Jekyll Island Authority.

“Working on Jekyll Island was like a dream," she says. "My job was to tell people how they could have fun and where they could come to find it Jekyll Island. I worked with various travel writers and big-name entertainers when I produced special events.

"In addition, was able to publish countless brochures, newsletters and sales collateral and design great ads for various publications. The opportunities were endless.”

Smith credits her instructors at ETSU with the skills and acumen to adjust to her opportunities. “Some of my success has been because I was at the right place at the right time,” Smith says. “Some of it has been because of the contacts I have made. But, I'd also like to think that people noticed my talents and ability to be the type of person who would get the job done and do it well.”

The ETSU Department of Communication is unique, she says. "There are so many super-talented instructors like Jack Mooney, Ellis Binkley, George Kelly, Max Marshall and so many more,” Smith says. “They all brought educational and practical experience to the classroom. They could tell you exactly how a newsroom worked, or what it was like to go on assignment, because they had all been there. To me, it made the difference between a good education and a great education.”

Indeed, Smith did bring her own special qualities and drive to her education and career, says Dr. Jack Mooney, who heads the journalism, public relations and advertising divisions at ETSU. “Maxine was an exceptional student and a pragmatic person,” Mooney says. “She was extremely motivated and was involved in a lot of activities at ETSU. She was a real pleasure to be around, so much so that we still keep in touch.”

Maxine now talks to communication classes on St. Simons Island and shares her insight about what it takes to become successful it in the communication world.

“Any time I speak to communication classes, I try to inspire them to write, write, write,” Smith says. “In this age of technology, everything moves so quickly and the opportunities for a variety of careers in public relations are countless.”

“However, you must know how to write well. Don't be a good writer. Be a great writer. This means writing letters, copy for the newspaper, sales brochures or media pitches. They all involve a certain finesse to getting across your meaning on paper or by computer.

"The second piece of advice I could give is to get out and meet people. The more people you know, the more your opportunities will expound. Thirdly, promote yourself. It is not about bragging. It is about being proud of who you are and what you have accomplished. I am most proud of my ETSU education and (as you can see) very proud to let people know about my success and the wonderful people I have met along the way.”