What do you love most about your profession? Why did you choose this career?
"Social media is constantly changing and evolving - whether it's new trends, new platforms, or new types of content. It's something that keeps me on my toes when it comes to work and my strategies, but also something that I enjoy outside of work.
The internet has always been a part of my life. I spent most of my early teens taking and editing photos, learning basic coding by editing my Tumblr page and engaging with my friends during the early days of Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. When I graduated high school and got my first retail job, using social media to promote sales and new products became a part of my daily routine. Even though social media was a very small part of that job, I enjoyed doing it, and I decided that I wanted a career in social media and content creation."
How do you think the school you went to influenced your career?
"While I could have moved away for school, I decided to enroll at MUNL’s St. John’s Campus and stay close to my family and friends. In my experience, the Communications program at MUNL was much more theory-based than practical Communications work. I realized early in the program that while theoretical learning was important, practical work was more important.
If I had gone to a different school that offered practical courses and work terms, would the start of my career of gone differently? Perhaps. Do I regret staying in Newfoundland and having to put in some extra work to get those experiences? Not at all. I would not have met the amazing people who helped me gain valuable experiences, and who also helped me enter the workforce during a pandemic."
What is a common misconception about your field of work?
That working in social media is easy. Managing accounts for businesses/organizations is much more than making pretty graphics and photos! It’s implementing branding and strategies, using the correct tone and terms in your writing, engaging with other businesses/organizations, being active on stories, analytics, reports, and so much more.
What do you do for fun? What are some of your hobbies/activities?
I love all things interior design, so I spend a lot of time on Pinterest finding inspiration for my current apartment and future home. I love thrifting and DIYing, and I have far too many plants! Since I work from home, my space needs to bring me joy. It helps with my creativity, productivity, and mental health.
What advice would you give students who might be considering a career like yours? What advice would you have given your younger self?
Don’t do a Business or Communications degree because they’re “easy” or it’s “trendy” – do it because it’s something that you’re genuinely passionate about! There are so many routes you can go in this career: the tech industry, government, healthcare, marketing agencies, sales, and the list goes on. I found my niche in helping small businesses, non-profits, and arts organizations achieve their goals, and it has been incredibly rewarding helping people grow their businesses/organizations.
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