When I Grow Up

Typical workday:

Every day is different to be honest. If it’s a Monday morning, you will find me in Gambel’s weekly staff meeting, where our team debriefs on our current efforts and goes over our schedules for the week. Some mornings start off first thing at the local television or radio stations accompanying clients on media opportunities to promote upcoming events or initiatives. Other days consist of client meetings, social media photo/video shoots, coordinating events or pitching news stories to the media.

What did you want to be growing up?

I wanted to be a writer. In high school, I was the co-editor-in-chief of Mount Carmel’s student newspaper, Echoes of Carmel, and in college, I wrote for the Greek life student newspaper, The Odyssey. After graduation, I was a freelance writer for Keep.com and Culture Trip. Through my current position, I get to tell my clients’ stories through public relations.

How did you end up in the job you have now?

My sister, who is someone I have always looked up to, suggested I explore a career in mass communication. I pursued a degree in public relations and took a job in the advertising industry right out of college. In May 2019, Betsie Gambel hired me as a communications strategist and I’ve been at Gambel Communications since.

What experiences prepared you for your job?

Past internships were the most helpful. I interned for Tiffany Napper at her boutique public relations firm, gained experience in agency work at Beuerman Miller Fitzgerald and learned about nonprofit public relations at the Susan G. Komen Foundation in Baton Rouge.

What clients do you work with?

During my time at Gambel, I’ve had the opportunity to handle media relations, special events, and social media for Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans, Residence Inn by Marriott, Sequoia Outdoor Supply, Notre Dame Health System and Touchstone ABA, among others. In addition, I worked on the grand opening for the Riverboat Louis Armstrong and the education campaign for Jefferson Parish Schools.

What is most challenging about your job?

The most challenging part of my job is keeping up with changes in the industry. For example, last year New Orleans went to one daily newspaper. We have to stay on top of new apps and social media channels to make sure our clients are in the know and staying relevant.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

My team. I really cherish the supportive environment that Gambel Communications provides. Whenever I have a work or personal question or need support or motivation, I can always count on my #GambelGirls.

What qualifications and skills are required for your job?

A college degree is a must. In terms of skills, developing communications strategies requires a lot of coordination with the client. I help them execute their vision and need to be able to guide them. It’s also crucial to learn how to craft interesting story ideas and pitch them to different media outlets so our clients get good press coverage. Lastly, communications strategists need to be able to create and plan special events that meet each client’s goals and budget. A shrewd eye for writing and editing, attention to detail for planning events, and the ability to think creatively to develop out-of-the-box concepts are also important skills.

What qualifications and skills aren’t required but a plus?

A college degree in the field of communication and relevant experiences are preferred. Creative thinkers who are solution-oriented are valued, and being organized and able to multitask is a huge plus as well. We like to think of ourselves as an extension of our clients’ teams, so it’s important to be confident and outgoing when dealing with contacts and members of the media.

What role does social media play in your work?

Social media plays a huge role in what we do at Gambel Communications. In addition to strategizing, establishing a brand’s presence and sourcing photos, we work with clients on content creation and ad recommendations. Knowledge of the latest trends in social media and a proficiency on popular platforms is a must. With social media constantly changing, it’s important to keep up with the latest trends.

As a social media expert, do you have any advice on how to keep social media fun, positive, and safe?

Being authentic is a good way. It’s easy to see how people portray only their best selves on social media, but it’s important to keep in mind that this isn’t all there is to people. Remember that (almost) no one is posting their spilled coffee or bad grades. Also, it’s a challenge for anyone to be “present” with all of the distractions in our 2020 lives. One tip is to monitor your usage via the Screen Time feature on your iPhone. You don’t want to miss out on the best things in life because you’re looking at your phone. Make a conscious effort to read before bed instead of mindless scrolling. The biggest thing is to kiss FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) goodbye. Turn off your notifications and put your phone in another room during meal times.

Any words of wisdom for girls who don’t know yet what they want to be?

There is plenty of time to decide what you want to be when you grow up, but do your research! There are so many resources available at your fingertips. Don’t be afraid to ask adults in different professions about the work they do and what they did to prepare for their current success.