ISU Alumna and Public Relations Students Partner to Promote Seasonal Work in Alaska

To provide Idaho State University Bengals with experiential learning, Communication, Media and Persuasion students are working alongside ISU alumna Taylor Kurz to promote Alaskan excursion jobs through the Holland America and Princess Cruise Line. As the largest hotel and land tour operator in Alaska, Holland America and Princess  employs more than 4,000 people in more than 300 job types, including roles in lodges, motorcoaches, railcars, and more.

Under Kurtz’s and Professor Karen Hartman’s guidance, public relations students Madlyn Bernad, Junior Damuni, Tiffany Peterson, Sadman Sakib, Aliyah Sopoaga and Alexandra Towsey are creating and executing a public relations campaign to promote seasonal work in Alaska to fellow students. 

“Working alongside Holland America and Princess employees has given us the opportunity to really understand how to create an effective public relations campaign,” said Bernad, a senior, “but most importantly discover an amazing opportunity that needs to be more accessible to college students.”

Kurz, a public relations major and journalism minor who graduated in 2022, worked as a seasonal employee for Holland America and Princess.. As part of the seasonal position, every worker is eligible for a free cruise and Kurtz got lucky, receiving a 128 day Grand World Voyage cruise. After the experience, she moved up in the company and became a full-time Talent Acquisition Specialist. 

“It was the best decision I've ever made,” Kurz said. “Not only did I experience the adventure of a lifetime in Alaska, but it also led to my full-time job and even meeting my significant other. My life wouldn’t be the same had I not taken that chance. I encourage others to take that leap and just do it.”

The students are actively planning their promotional techniques through social media, news releases, and direct outreach to graduating students. They also attended the Spring 2025 Career Fair and the Summer 2025 Career Fair on April 2.