Jennifer Dart is in the Club Member Spotlight for October

Jennifer Dart is Digital Media and Special Projects Manager in the Office of Communications and Public Affairs of the American Psychiatric Association. Dart has been an NPC member since April, 2014.

What’s your best experience thus far?
As a new member, I’ve enjoyed everything - I never miss an email from NPC Wire and especially appreciate the various Journalism Institute classes on digital media.

I've already begun brainstorming costume choices for the Reliable Source Halloween party.

What’s your favorite moment of your career so far?
After spending more than a decade in the PR agency world, I've fulfilled my goal to focus my communications expertise at an association.

Mental health is my passion both professionally and on a personal level since my father, a journalist and former NPC member, died from suicide a few years ago.

Watching Vice President Biden speak at the American Psychiatric Association’s Annual Meeting last May was a proud and profound moment for me.

What was your childhood dream job?
I started ballet when I was three and fantasized about being a professional dancer until I found my dance classes were coming in between me and my play dates.

Guilty Pleasure: What can you not live without?
80s everything: music, movies... and Hello Kitty.

If Hollywood made a movie of your life, who would you like to see play the lead role as you?
Sarah Michelle Gellar or Alicia Silverstone - two of my favorite actresses I really miss seeing at the movies.

What social media network can you not live without?
Twitter! I recently read a tweet calling Twitter the 6th network (there’s ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, CNN, and Twitter).

It’s been exciting watching our members and leadership embrace social media; Twitter is definitely the favorite platform being used to engage with the public/patient communities.

If you could provide one piece of professional advice, what would it be?
No matter where you are in your career, take the risks you need to take in order to achieve a fulfilling professional life.

But also strive for balance. Life is definitely too precious for nonstop stress and job burnout.