As the Director of Marketing and Communications at the Washington, D.C., Economic Partnership I lead communication and marketing strategies through print, social, in-person, and digital channels to increase awareness of and interest in businesses working in or with Washington, D.C. On any given day, I'm crafting creative copy, writing a press release, putting together editorial content for our website, planning out social media copy, or working with designers on the next marketing campaign.
When I started my career as a writer, editing contracts and then writing for business magazines, I realized that writing in those capacities lacked the creative flare that I was hoping to achieve during my professional track. In my current role, I am able to really think about how people read messaging, and then analyze best practices and craft narrative that people get, relate to, and act on.
As a writer, especially with a focus in creative writing, I'm able to apply my skills across many disciplines. In my line of work — the communications field — employers are constantly on the hunt for strong, imaginative writers and word masters. Tools, metrics, channels - these are always shifting and changing. Regardless of your major, you have to be a constant student of that "next big thing." Being armed with the skills to write, however, is a trait that I have found many lack. It will make you stand apart in almost every discipline.
With social and digital channels on the rise, I am amazed at the lack of imagination and creativity in the job market today. Being well versed, well read, and being true to that thing that makes you, well, you — these have all been powerful assets throughout my career. As English majors, we study those who not only have a story to tell, but were bold enough to tell it — fiction or not. I have learned that while the world doesn't feel short of story tellers ‑ with the digital access we now have to voice any and all perspectives —people are hungry for genuine, authentic, and skilled people to tell their stories.