Getting Here
Life as a marketing and communications specialist
I’m a marketing and communications specialist. What does that mean? Well, in this case, I run the main social media accounts at the university I work for (out of the University Advancement division/Office of Marketing and Communications). I strategize our social media marketing plans, as well as create and schedule content on a daily basis. I also lead our email marketing efforts and run the monthly newsletter that is sent to faculty, staff, community members and alumni.
Occasionally, on the side, I do some photography and content creation for those who inquire.
I never would have imagined that I’d end up in this position. But, isn’t it funny how life turns out?
When I was in college, my dream was to become a music reporter in Nashville, working for a magazine like Nashville Lifestyles. I wanted to do music reviews or highlight fun features about restaurants and such.
Unbeknownst to me, at the time, you don’t land your dream job just because you now have a degree.
I didn’t have anything lined up when I walked across the stage. It was the first time in my life that I didn’t feel like I had a plan. I didn’t know what was coming. I just knew the hopes and dreams I’d scribbled in my journal but had no idea how to make them happen. I applied for jobs, had some conversations and interviews, but then...Radio silence.
I figured I’d take a week off for “vacation” and then get to work that following week with applying and looking for opportunities. It didn’t come to that, though. I got a call from the university I’d just graduated from asking if I was still interested in the job. I very much was, so they asked when I could start. If I recall, I think I said “tomorrow” (or it could have been the next day). The rest is history.
It was meant to be temporary, just helping with a couple projects they needed to catch up on. At the time, it was known as the Office of Public Affairs and Communications. I was against it at first, thinking it was so opposite of what I went to school for - Journalism. I wasn’t in public relations. But, it was a great opportunity and I had decent college experience to do the job.
More on that later.
After high school, while most of my friends and classmates were going out of town or out of state for college, I went to a junior college, just on the outskirts of town. My parents encouraged me to get me general education classes out of the way - It was cheaper and gave me more time to decide if journalism was still the route I wanted to explore.
Honestly, it was the best decision I could have made. It gave me a chance to warm up to college with smaller classes. I’d gone to private school throughout my academic journey, so it was a bit of a culture shock to go into this new world with entirely new people and more in a classroom. I was finding my footing as an individual and making my own way, away from the group of friends I’d had since jr. hi.
It also gave me the opportunity to continue to pursue my own passions - I had more time to spend with my family, I traveled a bit more and had the chance to go to TV show tapings, doing things I thoroughly enjoyed. I had experiences I’d always wanted to but couldn’t because of school. Making my own schedule, only being on campus a couple times a week, with my other classes being online, was a dream.
I was always practicing my craft, though. Blogs had just launched, so I would write about my adventures on my little corner of the internet. I also looked for opportunities anywhere I could online - I blogged for a lifestyle site, Sarah Scoop for a short time, writing short features on products, movies and whatever entertainment news came up. Then, I wrote for Nashville Gab, which was kind of like the Perez Hilton of the country world, but in a good way. I wrote all about country news, marriages, new albums, concerts - whatever press releases hit the inbox, we’d cover it. Later on, just before transferring to the university, I became a writer for the entertainment site, PopWrapped, writing the latest celebrity news, covering some of the events I’d attend and also recapping episodes of Parenthood. I loved it! And it gave me a chance to get to know other people working through the site, who lived all around the world.
Even if there weren’t clear jobs or positions open on a website, I would call or email, telling them I was a student and asking if there were ever looking for any writers. I even did a couple freelance pieces for one of our local magazines.
I didn’t have a full-time job during college, and I recognize how blessed I am, that my parents were able to support me financially while I worked on my dreams. I was always trying to be innovative in my thinking, how I could make money or just gain experience. I’d volunteer at my church with the worship team. I was a cat sitter for one of my church friends who lived down the street from me. I’d help out teacher friends in their classrooms. Anything that would allow me insight into other careers and help me grow in leadership qualities and as a communicator.
There were plenty of times I would feel that I wasn’t doing enough, that I should have done more, pitched more ideas. I would compare myself to other friends and former classmates at big, fancy universities. They had major internships or studied abroad in other countries. Something I learned later on was - Even when it feels like you’re wasting time - every experience, success or failure, can be used for the future. Nothing is wasted. God works everything for our good, so that means the good, bad and the ugly. Or the things we don’t feel are Instagram-worthy.
Those few years in between leaving high school and getting to the university was so invaluable. That time gave me a chance to get to know myself better and spend more time with God. I took care of myself with miles and miles of bike riding, eating better, sitting on the front porch admiring the views and weather, writing poetry and reading. I spent more time with my friends who were still in town, I met new friends and got involved with new groups.
I don’t have all the answers. Not even close, obviously. I’m still making a way for myself. But, I’ve had people come alongside me to share what they’ve learned along the way. I want to share the things I wish I’d known after high school, in college and my earlier days as a young professional. There are some things in life, no matter how much you prepare, you’ll never be ready or the situation or it will go differently than someone else’s explanation of it. But, if I can help others find their way, that’s my goal.
I also want this to be a space of creating, dreaming and connecting with others who also love to create. The best ideas, in my opinion, come from those random talks with friends and coworkers or collaborating on something.
While I’m able to get creative for my role, it’s solely focused around education. But, I have other passions and desires to talk and write about - traveling, friendships, faith, entertainment. I’ve found that allowing myself to create and work on personal goals and projects helps me perform better in my role at work. This is a space to dive into that as well.
How can we give our best to our jobs while also not losing pieces of ourselves?
How can we connect with others who are in the roles we’d like to see ourselves in someday?
How can we become mentors to those who are coming up behind us in the current fields we’re in?
How can we continue to grow and develop skills to create, outside of the office and our 8-5 roles?
How has my education and background prepared me for where I am now? How can I start to connect the dots of past roles and experience?
There’s a lot to talk about and learn. A lot that I’m still learning.
So, let’s get started, shall we?
-Shelby