My Story So Far

In two, short considered paragraphs, tell us who you are and what you are good at.

          If I were to write a book about my life, it would be titled: The Innovative Astronaut. This title encapsulated both sides of who I am. The innovative side of me is extremely creative, resourceful, unconventional and imaginative. Painting, drawing and writing poetry, are just a few of the things that I do to fulfill my innovative passions. I describe the astronautic side of me as someone who is very calculated, organized, methodical and structured. I can be almost scientific as a planner, both in time management and goal setting. This structured part of me compliments the creative side of me by allowing me to be focused and methodical about accomplishing my goals and visions.

Throughout my life, the people closest to me describe me as a resourceful problem solver because I see an idea and try to enhance it. My first remembrance of my innovative skills was at six years old when I drew a women’s shoe with an adjustable heel. Even though I didn’t wear heels myself, the idea seemed logical because I listened to women complaining about their feet hurting after being in heels all day. I learned later that the idea had been patented on February 8, 1999, which coincidentally was my 3rd birthday. While this idea had already been taken, in hindsight, I appreciated the special gift that I had to create solutions to people’s problems.   

  Tell us how one place you’ve lived has influenced you.

While living in the city of Richmond and attending Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), was the perfect formula I needed to become my unapologetic self. While growing up in Northern Virginia was beneficial for my education, my self-development was lacking. I didn’t feel comfortable trying new things or stepping outside of my comfort zone. Being immersed to a city full of murals and a university with an intense amount of creative energy truly pushed me to embrace who I am. At first I was awkward, as I was still trying to find my footing in a city where one must create their own path. Slowly I began to join various art groups at VCU, attend spoken word events and First Fridays. As I started to see more people express themselves through music, dance, poetry, and photography, I felt something change within me. I was no longer looking at a box that I had to fit inside, rather I was creating a box big enough to fit all my thoughts, talents and ideas. Living in Richmond gave me the ability to become confident in who you am, and my overall essence. The Richmond atmosphere pushed me to truly do what I love and am good at, and that is creating.

What led you to the Brandcenter?

During my junior year, I had the opportunity to attend The One Clubs’ “Here Are All the Black People” conference in New York City with the Advertising Club at VCU. During the trip we toured Publicis Advertising Agency. Surprisingly, the creative director asked “Are you all from the VCU Brandcenter?”, and we all said no. This question sparked an interest in my mind. Clearly, the Brandcenter must be something special. After the trip I wanted to get more information and insights about what the program offered. I sat in on a creative brand management class, spoke with Hawley Smyth, current students and other Brandcenter alum. Throughout these different avenues, I learned how the Brandcenter molds and shapes their students to become the best, I too wanted to be pushed to my fullest potential.

Tell us about a personal failure. Describe what happened and what you did about it. Distill the story into one paragraph.

During the summer of 2018, I was on the hunt for an internship. I learned that Blackboard was interested in hiring me as their summer intern. I soared through the interview process, and my potential boss found me to be the right fit.

Baffled and extremely upset, I wondered “I was so close…how could this slip though my fingers?” Still determined to get an internship that summer, I emailed the director who would have hired me. She informed me that she left the company and was working at the American Psychological Association (APA). Not ready to give up hope, I asked her if she was looking for an intern for the summer or if she knew of anyone who was. Fortunately, she was looking for an intern, and was happy to give me the position. I was ecstatic and proud of myself for not giving up, and because of that, I had successfully achieved my goal of getting a summer internship working as the APA’s Higher Education Digital Marketing intern.

In one short paragraph convince the person reading your application that you have spent a respectful amount of time researching the track you are applying to and the work people in that track do when they graduate.

Through several conversations with Brandcenter alumni I have a better understanding of the versatile skill set and job avenues of a creative brand manager. Within the advertising process, the CBM is the oversight for the operation. They ensure the process is moving smoothly and reflecting the clients wishes. CBM graduate, Vanessa Brown, shared with me the transferability and uniqueness of the CBM skill set. While CBM’s are very capable of executing their role, they are also excellent at adapting to any job they encounter, which may include: managing expectations and interdisciplinary groups. Whether it’s critical thinking or remaining detailed oriented, CBM’s have a skill set that prepares them for an array of job opportunities and challenges.