Madeline McClurg Feature Story

Public relations professional and founder of Quicksilver Edge Strategic Communications, Debra Bethard-Caplick, is living proof that the PR industry still needs its Baby Boomers to teach young people how public relations operates. Debra puts the stereotype to rest that people over the age of forty can no longer bring anything to the table in public relations. Debra, still in the thick of her career, proves anybody wrong that believes Baby Boomers dont know enough about the ever-growing world of social media to be successful in the business. Debra started her PR career working in the health industry, though she now works for herself at her own company dealing with people on a more personal level. She has the healthcare industry to thank for that. With two sisters involved in healthcare and constantly being surrounded by it, healthcare became second nature, I fell in to it and never got out, I find people more interesting than widgets, she tells her Writing for Public Relations class at DePaul University. Teaching is just another impressive accomplishment Debras achieved thus far; she believes it keeps her young and her students are lucky to have someone as experienced as herself teaching them abut the industry. In the future Debra sees herself getting her PhD and teaching full time, hopefully at a university in Hawaii. As selfless as her dream to peruse teaching may sound, it is definitely not out character for her, this is a woman who has adopted and taken in five dogs and only stopped at five due to Chicago City limits.

With teaching and starting and operating her own company, one would be quick to assume that Debra lacks a life outside of public relations, that could not be less true. Her five dogs keep her busy enough and she also still manages to find time to be writing a book that is still in the organization process and take up an active interest in motorcycles and sailing. When asked how she finds balance she is quick to respond that shes never bored and is constantly curious, Someone once told me I dont know how to relax, which might be true but I fear boredom, she explains to her PR class. I think its safe to say she will never have to face boredom with everything she has going on; none of which seems to be slowing down any time soon either. With everything Debra has tackled in her career and personal life, her class was curious about the inspiration behind all of those accomplishments. The answer was simple, her mother. Debra grew up with three brothers and two sisters and her mother always told her, if you want something done dont wait for the boys to do it, because it will never get done; do it yourself. Debra carries this advice with her wherever she goes in life and believes that her mothers quiet force is the reason she and her siblings are now the more forceful ones in their relationships. Not a bad quality to possess. Debras biggest achievement is undetermined; she still has so much left she can accomplish but she would argue that it is what her students accomplish that will be her biggest achievement. Its where you guys take this, that will be my biggest achievement. The future of the profession is in your hands, she tells her class during a round robin interview for a PR assignment on feature stories. Its fair to say that Debra will most likely be pleased with her students accomplishments in the PR world and with all the knowledge and experience she has to offer them, she will not be disappointed.

Debra has achieved and seen so much in her career and her students were dying to know her number one rule or biggest piece of advice, always be ethical. Jobs will come and go, reporters will come and go, but your reputation is forever. That, and always be curious, is what Debra shared with her class. Two very important lessons that are sure to be a contributing factor to all of Debras success in not only her career but personal life as well. Debras ultimate end goal is to build a successful agency and prove those wrong that said she was too old and over-qualified. I think its safe to say she has already accomplished this and is sure to accomplish much more.