I can’t remember the last time I wrote a blog without the core premise tying back into marketing. I’ve felt inspired recently so I wanted to touch on a few critical moments in my immediate past that have paved the current path I’m on. By the time I wrap this post, I’m aiming for that Andy Dwyer feeling when he sings his classic rock ballad, “5000 Candles in the Wind.” Pure elation.
During the last week, I caught a Facebook update from an old coworker. It was a combination of nostalgia and emotion from their time on the job. The post opened up the floodgates of past work memories and how I feel better off now that I’m gone. I didn’t always have this mindset though.
I spent roughly 10 years at a job I pictured as being a high school job, something that merely paid for clothes and bills, and something temporary. It evolved into so much more. I grew up there; built hundreds of relationships spanning coworkers and patrons. The timing of my exit was unexpected and I felt negativity toward the move. There was no contingency plan. What I didn’t know was that leaving the company would force me to be introspective, re-evaluate my long-term goals, and put me on a path that was more adventurous than I cared for.
The day after I left, I started an internship at a digital marketing agency. After college, I wanted to get into the world of marketing and advertising. Since I couldn’t find another job, I figured I could get an early start and climb a new career ladder. This internship was a bittersweet moment. I went from a traditional working environment to an office space complete with scooters to move across the office, to epic ping-pong matches held during lunch. I was content at the time, staying busy as I completed my fall semester. Once classes ended, I was overcome with emotion - feelings of failure, embarrassment, and discontent. I ran into issues with unemployment and was burning through my savings account, low on money with no job prospects in sight.
By the time my internship ended, things started to click. My final semester of college started, I was back on the job hunt, and most importantly, I felt motivated again.
About a month after my first internship, I landed a new internship in Downtown LA and the rest is history. Quick disclaimer: I have a feeling a few people from the office might read this blog and I hope they know I’m not trying to butter anybody up… or am I?
My internship turned into a contract and my contract led to a new career. I went from an environment where everybody had to look out for themselves to an environment that focused on teamwork, a positive work-life balance, and hard work. When I looked back, I did my best to pull the positives from nearly 10 years on the job when compared to the bitterness I previously felt.
To be 100% transparent, I’m still learning what work-life balance is, but I figured I’d mention that it’s promoted and instituted as best as one company can. I work when I don’t have to and I blame my mom for that.
I look back at the time during my first job and I pull the positives now. I learned patience. I learned how to manage. I learned how to work with people who don’t understand you on a personal level (I stood out like a sore thumb at that job for two reasons - I was heavily tattooed and younger than other leadership staff by roughly 15 years). I appreciate all of the relationships I built and the people who still reach out to me when I stumble into them around town.
With that said, I’m in a different headspace and I’m chugging along with my team at Uptown Treehouse. I currently oversee clients that are recognized on a national scale. If you get the chance, look into Uniqlo and Western Union. I’ve been given the opportunity to lead up both accounts, working with their internal marketing teams on providing the best social strategy out there. I’ve had the pleasure of local influence and now I’m working behind the scenes on a global scale. Perseverance pays off. Eventually. How it pays off is all a matter of perception.
To end this piece, I want to leave you with a question. When the odds are stacked against you, what’s your next move?