01/16/2026
Ten years ago, I started my career in communications.
I was living in Richmond, Virginia, four months post-grad school, applying to jobs with very few interviews while working part time at Bed Bath & Beyond to make ends meet. I had over eight years of customer service experience by this time across retail and healthcare and a graduate degree I thought would open doors to public relations roles. Nope! 🙂↔️
Then I came across a T-Mobile social media specialist job posting. It was technically customer support—but on social. I leaned into my retail and customer service experience during the interview process and got the job. I joined a cohort that eventually grew into a 200+ person team known as T-Force. 💖
My time in this role became my foundation. I learned about brand voice, community management, crisis-adjacent executive comms, and creative, culturally relevant rapid response. I raised my hand for projects, taught myself design (pre-Canva, very humbling), and found ways to grow within every opportunity I was given.
My path into public relations wasn’t linear or easy. I didn’t come from a well-connected background or have mentors opening doors for me. I built skills where I stood, created opportunities when they didn’t exist, and stayed focused on the long game. 🛣️
If you’re early in your career or feeling stuck: your starting point does not define your destination. Keep showing up, keep learning, and keep betting on yourself. 💪🏽
