A Career Milestone: What I’ve Learned in Three Years [and counting]
Highlighting my tenure (so far) at Marymount University.
When I thought about what I wanted to be growing up, I always had my sights set high - the full range of acting on stage and film was explored, as well as getting in on the action behind the cameras. In school, they teach you how to be prepared for your career, the dreams that you aim for. When I graduated, I was lucky enough to even have the opportunities I did. I am forever grateful for the memories, the connections and lesson I made out in Los Angeles. I will never regret any of that - I just often wish I had the chance to prove more of my worth and talent beyond the roles I had. As time went on, the more I tried to push myself to take that next step and I was only met with rejection and resistance, the more I felt dejected and hopeless for my future prospects. An important lesson I learned out there was what they don’t teach you is that sometimes, your expectations and the world’s reality rarely align. And so one day, after years of work and trying to make my next move in my dream career, I told myself “If they can’t see that I am ready to take the next step, perhaps I am not wanted here anymore.”
So I left. I did what I had to do to survive - not just for my future, but for my personal well-being too. Not to mention the COVID-19 pandemic made it a hell of a lot harder to cope without my family by my side.
In truth, higher ed was not my first choice in a career, it didn’t even make the top 10. When I initially thought of higher education, I only looked at it from a simplistic point of view, basically concluding “I don’t want to be a professor/teacher” as if to insinuate that it was the only option for a career in that field if I go down that road. But as I have come to realize, an institution such as a college or a university, is so much more than merely teachers and students. It’s the administrators, the stakeholders, the staff, the faculty, the students, and the multitude of departments that keep the University running daily to provide a lifetime experience for its students.
While working for a YouTube channel, I was mopping the floor and cleaning up after a long day of shooting and I told myself “This is not what I want to be doing for the rest of my life - I want to tell stories and make an impact.” So I pivoted - I applied to anything and everything out there. I stumbled across a position at Marymount University and took a chance on them. Lucky for me, they also took a chance on me, which I still smile about to this day. To think, my naive younger self would have never imagined that on March 22nd, 2022, I would begin my journey into the world of higher education, specifically within the realm of Marketing & Communications.
I started my journey as an Administrative Assistant, which is a role that should be recognized more for their never-ending contributions for a company. This admin job greatly differed from any of my previous work in Hollywood, but the chance to learn about a new field kept me on my toes and wanting to learn all I can. In this role at Marymount, I had my strengths and weaknesses, but I also pushed myself to do better and contribute towards the University’s success. As I donned the many hats and responsibilities that came with this job title, as well as stepping up in times of my department’s need when appropriate, I proved my worth and transitioned into my current role in 2023 that showcased my passion for visual storytelling and highlighted my skills honed over the years in my other professional careers.
During my tenure, I have truly felt appreciated. Upon my reflection on other jobs, I got the credit where it was deserved and praised for the work I did, but here, it feels more rewarding. With my most recent project, where I had to complete 4 videos for our annual award ceremony, the work spoke for itself.
As with any job in my life, along with the highs of my successes, I have experienced the lowest of lows. I’m human - I have and will most likely still make mistakes. I learn from my mistakes, which is a common trope that I practice and preach but still holds true and should be a constant in one’s mind.
Over the last three years, which is the longest that I have ever stayed with a company, I’ve learned vital lessons that not only translate to the workplace but to my personal beliefs. It hasn’t replaced them, but rather, helped me mature. I’ve learned that you cannot make promises you can’t keep. I’ve learned that sometimes, a person does not always need an answer. I’ve learned to separate work from home. I’ve learned to trust my gut. I’ve learned to adjust and adapt. I’ve learned what true collaboration within the workplace is. I’ve learned to take the leap and open my world to learn something new. I have learned the extent of what loyalty and trust for one’s employees can go. But even with these numerous lessons, I am still me. I will always be me - just now an evolved version of me.
All of this to say, I believe that I have finally found where I fit. In my role as a Communications Specialist, I have made a difference. I have and will continue to tell the important stories. I have and still am contributing to the greater good of the University. This especially could not come at a better time as we are celebrating our 75th anniversary this year - my hope is that I continue to strive towards making a monumental impact every single day from the moment I set foot onto campus until I hop in my car to head back home.
For those of you that have been with me along this journey, past and present employees, faculty, staff or anyone who I had the pleasure of working alongside with, THANK YOU.
To many more years of memories at Marymount!
