Moxie Friday
Round two of #MoxieFridays.
Today, we feature Brea Allen. Brea Allen is a graduate of the University of South Florida where she obtained a degree in Mass Communications with a concentration in Public Relations.
This is a mini-series where The Moxie Playbook features women striving in their fields + passions. These women share how they are paving their ways into their passions + finding an uncomfortable in a comfortable world through various outlets, such as blogs, field work, + social media. We are shedding a light on one woman, one week at a time
Brea Allen
She is a self-proclaimed “Music and Pop Culture enthusiast” and loves all things including awkward moments, positivity and Beyonce. When she’s not on the
1. Tell us about yourself.
I’m a 24-year-old post-grad living in Atlanta by way of Florida. I grew up in one of the best times ever, and basically, everything I do is for “the 99 and the 00’s”. Since graduating I’ve started blogging and I’ve even started interning at a few PR agencies. I’m a believer of the saying “speak it into existence and it shall be done” because I’ve seen it happen
After job searching for months, I started getting on Twitter, reading articles on life after college and following people who had a PR background/were in school for PR. Through them, I found that a large majority had an online portfolio and a blog. Then I read a few post-grad articles discussing how blogging allows you to have something to show for yourself when applying to jobs/internships. And I was sold!
3. Do you have any advice for upcoming bloggers/brand creators + post-graduation?
Do your research/ seek advice from other bloggers before starting your own. The whole “starting a blog journey” is not as easy as you think. I sure thought it’d be easier! Once I realized I wanted to have a brand, I thought about my passions and how I could connect them to my audience (I hope I’ve stayed true to that). So I ended up changing my blog name four times and even moved from Tumblr to WordPress to Blogger. Lol, it was a mess because I didn’t do any research on anything.
Also, time management is a huge factor! I’m still working on this skill. When I originally started my blog, I told myself that I’d keep up with it for at least a year and see where things should go from there. Unfortunately, life happened and my blog has suffered a little. But I plan on coming back soon 🙂
As for post-grad life, I would suggest using that time wisely. While waiting to put your degree to use, try thinking of what your passions are and figure out how you can turn them into a paycheck.
4. What would be your absolute dream career if money were no object?
My dream career would work in/around anything music and pop culture! Those are two of my passions and I’d LOVE to have a career involving them both. Also, it would be great to get an opportunity working with/under Beyonce’s PR team. Those people are geniuses! (If you’re reading this, Miss Yvette call/tweet me!)
5. In the PR world, how crucial is it to
Networking is SUPER important! In case your university hasn’t stressed this to you, once you graduate, you’ll realize that it’s definitely a relationship-based industry. Start your internships/creating opportunities to meet PR pro’s in your area, go to PRSSA meetings, do all that you can while you’re in undergrad!
6. How would you describe your personal style?
In my head, my style is like some styles you see on Pinterest, but my budget just won’t allow me to be great! Haha, but I’m a neutral kind of girl…my friends and family are currently working with me to step into 2014. Lol
7. In such a fast pace society, how do you stay current?
I stay current by reading theSkimm! It’s a great way to get your daily news stories! I also read PR Daily, Mashable, Necole Bitchie, and Madame Noire when I get the chance. And because of a great thing called social media, Instagram and Twitter keep me pretty current too.
8. Our motto is finding an uncomfortable place in a comfortable world, do you believe this is true?
Absolutely! Nothing great comes from staying your comfort zone. Even for me, public speaking is a MAJOR fear of mine (I even managed to dodge the class in undergrad). Since completing internships, I can’t say that I still don’t get anxiety, but I know I need to conquer it so I can grow as a communications professional.
9. Anything else to add?
My last point is kind of random, but if you’ve read until this last question I ask that you go out and give someone a compliment, write a letter/send a card to an unsuspecting loved one or even go to lunch with someone without checking your phone often. Just try random acts of kindness.
No matter how big or small, the person on the receiving end will feel appreciated and you’ll feel great for making someone’s day. 🙂 Thank you, Brea, for sharing your background, knowledge, + a fear. Transparency is a great tool to have in PR. Everyone is not perfect.
Finding that one or two flaws + fixing them will make you a better professional in PR + person in life. #TheMoxiePlaybook appreciates you sharing with us + other readers. You can follow Brea on Twitter, @BreaJAllen, and read her blog, AllSheWrotePR.blogspot.com.
Stay Tuned for More
Come back next week for another #MoxieFriday feature on The Moxie Playbook.
xo,
Josein says
Wow, she’s really an inspiration! I will definitely listen to what she has to say!