Clare DeLong

After graduating from Kent in 2007, Clare DeLong has worked her way up from a volunteer to a Communications Director in the US governmental sector. She is passionate about public service and is particularly proud of her work to develop the Washington State Paid Family and Medical Leave program.

Since 2023, Clare has served as the Communications Director for Washington State Parks.

Tell us about your career path since graduation.

Initially my career journey had a slow start. Between the Great Recession hitting not long after graduation and me not having a clear idea of what I wanted to do, I bounced between many jobs in retail, hospitality, and freelance journalism for a while.

Ultimately, it became clear that writing and communication was what I really enjoyed so I began volunteering for the Communications Team at the Washington State Senate, which led me to a full-time position as a Communications Consultant.

After four years I was hired to manage a small team developing all communication and outreach for a new Paid Family and Medical Leave programme. Shortly after the project was launched in January 2020, I received a promotion and became the Communications Director for the Employment Security Department, where I spent several (wild!) years helping navigate the unemployment crisis during the pandemic.

I now serve as the Communications Director for Washington State Parks.

What does a typical work day look like for you?

I like that no two days are ever exactly the same in my job.

I serve on the executive leadership team for Washington State Parks and manage a team of about 20 people. Their work covers a range of areas, from traditional communications and marketing, to centralised customer service, business development, and website management. On a given day, I may find myself responding to media enquiries, engaged in strategic planning sessions, or presenting at public meetings.

I love being in a leadership role that affords the opportunity to coach other leaders and staff, and learn from their expertise and experience.

Can you share a professional highlight from your career so far?

I've been lucky to have a variety of interesting roles in public service - but a real highlight was being part of the team that developed the Washington State Paid Family and Medical Leave program.

This was one of only a few in the US at the time (there is still no national paid leave in the US) and provides critical paid maternity, medical and family leave. I have utilised this program twice already myself - for maternity leave and to care for my mom who had terminal cancer.

It really is a life changing benefit and more than half a million people have used the program since we launched it in 2020.

How did your time at Kent help you achieve your current career?

My time at Kent was truly wonderful. Having the opportunity to live abroad and meet and study with people from all over the world was a dream.

I had many incredible professors who not only taught literature, but gave me the skills necessary to think critically, to research and question my assumptions, and communicate ideas precisely.

Being at a university that had a global student body also expanded my connections and understanding of countries I've still never visited. The academic and social environment fostered by Kent directly contributed both to my career path in writing and communication and my dedication to public service.

What advice would you give to our current/perspective students who are looking to get into the same line of work?

When I was at university, people would sometimes assume literature was something you studied when you didn't really know what to study. Hopefully this is no longer true - but if it is, my advice is to ignore that nonsense!

Studying literature teaches you to think critically and write well. These are transferable skills that lead to fascinating and varied careers -  science, education and teaching, law, marketing, politics - you name it.

Being able to communicate clearly, question what you think you know, and listen honestly to diverse perspectives are essential to success in work and life. Plus, you will probably never be able to spend three years reading and debating the written word at any other point in your life - so enjoy it!

Do you have a favourite memory from your time at Kent?

It would be impossible to pick a specific memory - I loved my entire time at Kent. I shared a house with three of the most fun and wonderful humans on the planet on beautiful Black Griffin Lane, and those memories I still carry with me.

Is there anything you would do differently if you could repeat your time at Kent?

I can't think of anything. I took my studies seriously but still made sure to enjoy my time.

Are you still in touch with other Kent alumni or academics?

I am! I still keep in regular touch with my old housemates and colleagues I worked with at a coffee shop in Canterbury who were a year ahead of me at Kent.

What are your future ambitions?

I thrive on building and fostering high performing teams with a positive work culture. I'd like to continue serving in executive leadership roles but eventually move into more general administration and organisational development.

I would also love the opportunity to live abroad again. My ambitions are less specific and more about fulfilment - if I'm learning, leading, achieving, and making a positive difference, I'm happy at work!