Kathryn Aurelio

to the portfolio of KATHRYN "KAT" AURELIO.

Kathryn "Kat" Aurelio is based in Los Angeles, CA. She recently graduated Summa Cum Laude with Departmental Honors from the University of Southern California (USC), where she studied Public Relations, Communication Design, and Music Industry.

She aspires to work at the intersection of marketing, publicity + PR, design, strategy, and communication in the music and entertainment industries.

Rooted in her Filipino and Vietnamese heritage, Kat is passionate about purpose-led storytelling and creative ideas that inspire connection and community.

With her multi-hyphenate studies and skills, backed up by work experience in entertainment and music, Kat excels in multi-media storytelling.

I Wear Many Hats.

At USC, I made the most of every opportunity. If I wasn't commuting across Los Angeles for my internships on the metro system, I was finding new ways to be involved on campus. A huge part of my college experience lived in publications. In my first semester, determined to join a magazine, I took an Adobe Suite class and learned the rest “on the job” as a designer for GEN‑ZiNE, even designing two zine covers as a freshman.

The following year, I stepped into the role of Director of Design for the inaugural staff of SCene Magazine, leading visual direction across five issues and social graphics highlighting student creatives over three years. Alongside design, I explored my editorial voice as a Staff Writer for the Daily Trojan’s Arts & Entertainment section and as a student‑life blogger for Trojans360.

I also photographed and designed social content for Troy Philippines, which became a meaningful way to reconnect with my culture through storytelling and community.

"Side Quests" Are My Main Quest.

If you ask my peers, they’ll tell you I bring 10,000% to every project—no matter how big or small—and I never pass up an opportunity to learn something new. From attending the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) National Convention to working with talent and press at the Unforgettable Gala to showing up at more Annenberg, PRSSA, and USC career summits than I can count, I’ve always said yes to opportunities that push me to grow.

One of my proudest moments was co‑creating and producing a student‑run charity concert that raised $690 for youth programming in South LA. I led artist relations, marketing/branding, and sponsorships, and supported production and fundraising alongside my mighty team.

I also made sure to maximize every unit I could at USC—one highlight was getting to direct, produce, and manage cameras and sets while crewing weekly live TV shows for Trojan Vision (spotlighting emerging artists), where I was even nominated by show-runners for Best Director.

Charity Concert Poster – Marketing & Branding

Charity Concert Visual Recap

Trojan Vision Crewing

Trojan Vision Live TV Team

USC OwnIt Summit

PR Capstone Project for The Walt Disney Company

Thought Leadership for Pinterest

Thought Leadership Newsletters

Women's Leadership Society

Spotify x Ticketmaster "Fan Favorites" Press kit

Ikea Music Collab Mockup

Asian American Journalists Assoc. Conference

I Go Beyond the Expected.

My commitment to growth earned me spots in two competitive immersive programs: the 2025 Annenberg New York City Maymester led by Dean Willow Bay and the 2024 International Communications Studies Program, where I learned from communications professionals across London, Dublin, and Madrid. I later brought those experiences full‑circle as a panelist for prospective families at USC Trojan Family Weekend, sharing what these programs meant to me and how they shaped my path.

Staying Curious.

After unexpectedly pivoting from a master’s program, I flew across the world and spent a month traveling solo through sixteen European cities – every single one new to me. I learned to navigate unfamiliar languages + transit systems, wandered through cultural landmarks I’d dreamed about since childhood, tried dishes I’d only ever seen online, and met people from all corners of the world in hostels.

Somewhere between catching early trains, walking miles through cities I’d never seen, and watching sunsets in places I’d once only seen in movies, I realized how much I value curiosity, resourcefulness, and adaptability. I bring that same creative, grounded, and adaptable energy to every team and project I join.

P.S. check out some of my photography below!