Katie Stone
Communications Associate
Texas OnCourse
Milestones
My road in life took a while to figure out.
In college I saw a documentary that made me passionate about education reform.
I joined the national volunteer service (AmeriCorps) and taught an after school program for underserved high schoolers. I loved my students, but wished I was better at helping them.
I realized I could do behind the scenes work in education, and started asking for opportunities in writing and event planning.
I tried to work in fundraising for a while, and found it wasn't a good cultural fit for me.
I used all of the experience I had created to get a job doing what I wanted to do - called "content marketing," which is mostly writing - part time.
I did a good job in my part time position and was granted a full time marketing position with an education-based non-profit.
Education
High School
Central Gwinnett High School
Central Gwinnett High School
Career
Communications Associate
I write the content on my organization's website, social media, email and print communications.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Education
Writing
Being Creative
Day to Day
Every day I focus on a different element of communications for my organization. Monday, I might write a blog entry, Tuesday a series of emails, and Wednesday some new social media graphics for the week. Every day I work on Facebook and Twitter.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for everyone
Don't bite off more than you can chew. Your first job will probably be part time or have "assistant" in the title, but you can use your skills to show them you can do more. Don't be discouraged if you don't immediately get a job as a copywriter for an ad agency, or the marketing director for an organization.
Recommended Education
My career is not related to what I studied. I'd recommend this path instead:
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Parents:
"that creative professions were too competitive, so I should focus on learning practical skills."
