Looking Ahead
I suppose you could say it's been a bit of an unconventional journey to this point. How many rising communications professionals have a background in sociology, missions and theology, administrative support, and gymnastics coaching? But I'm here. And I'm excited for whatever's still to come.
My Story
Introduction
Some kids know exactly what they want to be when they grow up. They spend their childhoods dreaming about it, they take all the necessary college courses to pursue it, and they devote years of further education to making it a reality. That was not me. I was never the child who knew exactly what I wanted to be or what career path I wanted to follow. I had my affinities along the way, sure. And I always applied myself fully to everything I did. But I never quite found that occupation or field of study that brought me a special spark of excitement. That is until around 2017.
Chapter 1: The Past
While working in an administrative capacity, I discovered that tasks that are meticulous in nature — organization, data analysis, careful word-crafting — bring me a certain degree of joy that I don’t expect others to understand. I’m a detail-oriented person, and these tasks fall right in line with the way I’m wired. So when my supervisors started giving me writing and editing assignments, it didn’t take long for me to identify an obvious aptitude and recognize the energy and excitement those projects bring me. I soon began seeking more opportunities to exercise this passion, and thankfully more opportunities began to find me. In multiple administrative positions, my role morphed into that of the communications specialist. I became the point person for all writing, editing, and proofreading, and I embraced it with open arms. Then in an unexpected turn of events, the right conversation with the right person gave way to my first paid editing and proofreading job. It was almost addicting. The more I did it, the more I loved it; the more I loved it, the more I wanted to do it. It may have taken over 30 years, but I finally found my niche.
Chapter 2: The Breakthrough
What began as a general interest in editing transformed into the launchpad for a future in communications. So as you can imagine, when I came across phrases such as “create clear, concise, and engaging content” and “ensure consistency and accuracy in brand voice, style, tone, and grammar” within job descriptions for open editing and communications positions, it spoke directly to that seed of hope I had that through a combination of open doors and hard work, my newly identified affinities could actually translate to a career. In summer 2019, this same hope motivated me to embark on a journey through NYU’s certificate program in Professional Copyediting, Proofreading, and Fact-Checking. After wrapping up my final class in April 2021, I found that the experience only reinforced my desire to further pursue this passion for quality communication.
Chapter 3: The Present
With great persistence (and more patience than I cared to employ), I finally landed in a professional communications role. As the third member of a comms team of three, I was poised and ready to play the role of sponge, soaking up all the experience and knowledge I could. But what I wasn't prepared for was six months later, when that team of three became a team of... me. My sponge stance quickly (and unavoidably) shifted to being the sole responsible party for all organization-wide communications. It's been a whirlwind to say the least, and it has stretched me, challenged me, and rewarded me in more ways than I could have imagined. I've been able to apply my passion for words while simultaneously expanding my comms skillset, broadening my offerings, and building confidence in what I bring to the table. Writing and editing are still my happy place, but the world of audio/visual communication is quickly becoming both more familiar and more appealing to me. I'm learning to move beyond the content itself into the realm of planning, strategy, and analytics. I am delighting in this chance to flex my communications muscles in a wide variety of ways, many of which were completely new or unfamiliar to me just one short year ago.
Chapter 4: The Future
This unexpected season of rapid professional growth has left me hungry for more. What I ultimately long to do is play a leading role in the creation and distribution of quality content, and I believe this desire can and will be an asset when applied in my next professional setting. I have a very teachable spirit, so I am up for the challenge of thoroughly learning the ins and outs of any industry where I can contribute to the overall mission and goal. As someone who is passionate about effective, clear communication and is eager to grow, I am confident I can add value to any team willing to embrace my skills and abilities. If that team is yours, let's make it happen!
Contact
Interested in a professional partnership? Let's connect!
(859) 806-0009