- What do you like most about living in Gainesville?
Although I have only been a Gainesville resident for about a year and a half, it grows on me a bit more every day. It has the small-town feel, with big opportunities to thrive. I love that the area is emerging more and more every day, and that the growing city is encouraging graduates to stay rather than migrate after their studies.
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- Tell me about your job or area of study.
I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of South Florida St. Petersburg in 2015 and went on to work as a brand manager at a local marketing agency that I interned at during undergrad. I made my way to Gainesville at the end of 2016 and I am now the marketing coordinator at North Florida Regional Medical Center.
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- What are some of the biggest challenges you have encountered as a young professional?
I would say that the biggest challenge I have faced as a young professional is the tendency to think that I can do it all. I have the habit of over-committing, and sometimes it’s important to learn how and when to say “no” to things that might otherwise overwhelm you. It’s something I’m working on.
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- What is one of the best pieces of advice you have ever been given?
I have two. One career-related and one personal.
The best piece of career advice I’ve ever gotten is the fact that your worth is not measured by your productivity. Many of us tend to think that we are only worthy if we’ve spent every minute of every day doing something to move the needle forward, but the truth is that in order to be truly productive, everybody needs down time and a chance to reboot.
The best piece of personal advice comes from my father. He has always told my sister and me that “gold only mixes with gold,” which is his way of saying that we should only surround ourselves with noble and respectful people who will enrich our lives with good morals and values. I’m proud to say I have a solid “tribe” because of this advice, and conversely, have learned to filter out relationships that are not genuine.
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- Outside of your job, what other activities are you involved in?
Aside from my job duties at NFRMC, I am also co-chair of the hospital’s Employee Advisory Group. Outside of the hospital, I wear multiple hats. Professionally, I am pursuing my master’s degree in public relations and corporate communications at Georgetown University. I am also a member of Alachua County Emerging Leaders, and a more recent member of the Gainesville Area Women’s Network.