Hometown: Springfield, IL
Current Location: Springfield, IL
Can you tell us a bit about your background and what inspired you to pursue your current career path?
When I started college at UIS in the fall of 2018, I was actually a Clinical Laboratory Science major – a path very different from my current career. During my freshman year, I took a Communication class as one of my general education credits, and I quickly realized I enjoyed learning about the topics far more than anything in my science classes. That sparked a decision to switch my major to Communication, with the initial goal of becoming a journalist.
By my sophomore year, I had become the Editor-in-Chief of UIS’ campus newspaper, which was called The Journal at the time. At the same time, I became active in several campus organizations, and I found myself volunteering to manage their social media pages. I enjoyed brainstorming ways to promote each organization’s events and activities in ways that would grab attention, carefully considering everything from word choice to visuals.
Somewhere along the way, I realized I had a stronger passion for social media marketing and advertising than I did for journalism. This passion led me to take on another role as the student content creator for UIS social media. It was in this position that I discovered there was a legitimate career in social media marketing. By the time I graduated from UIS, I had a job lined up on the social media marketing team for an insurance company.
Ultimately, I found my inspiration to pursue social media marketing by trying new things and then realizing those weren’t for me. Each experience, whether it was switching majors, leading a campus newspaper, or volunteering for social media roles, taught me something new about myself and what I truly enjoyed!
Who or what has been your biggest influence or mentor in your journey?
My biggest influence has been Stevie Sweeney, my coworker from my first job after college. We worked on many projects together, and she taught me so much—not just about how to be better at my job, but also about navigating the professional world and life in general. She is a wealth of knowledge for marketing and best practices, and she was always willing to teach me what she knew. She was someone I could bounce creative ideas off of, and she would build on them until we came up with something truly unique. She was always supportive of my ideas, no matter how crazy they sounded! She made me feel like I was good at my job, which gave me the confidence to grow and improve. Her guidance, expertise, and encouragement had a lasting impact on my career and personal growth. I owe it to Stevie for inspiring me to be a better social media marketer every day!
What are your goals and aspirations for the future?
My goals and aspirations for the future include moving out of Springfield, continuing to learn and grow as much as I can in my current job, and gaining as much experience as possible in the marketing field. Eventually, I’d love to take everything I’ve learned and start my own marketing consulting firm. I’m excited to keep developing my skills, exploring new opportunities, and seeing where this journey takes me.
What advice would you give to others who are looking to advance and make a difference in their field?
My advice is to stay open to new experiences, even if they don’t seem directly related to your goals at first. Sometimes, you don’t know what you’ll truly enjoy or excel at until you try it. Say yes to opportunities that challenge you, explore different roles, and take on tasks that push you out of your comfort zone. Every experience teaches you something valuable, whether it’s a skill, a new perspective, or clarity about what you want—and don’t want—in your career. The key to advancing and making a difference is embracing growth through exploration and allowing your passions to guide you.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time that helps you stay inspired and motivated?
In my free time, I love exploring a mix of creative and calming hobbies that keep me inspired and motivated. Tap dancing is a fun and energetic way to be physically active, while taking care of my pet fish brings a sense of peace and responsibility. Canoeing allows me to connect with nature and clear my mind, and writing poetry gives me an outlet to channel my thoughts and emotions. I also enjoy thrifting and antique shopping, as discovering unique treasures sparks my creativity. Lastly, listening to audiobooks keeps me learning and entertained, while playing the harmonica is a way to unwind and challenge myself musically.