My First Job at BODEN PR Agency

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FIU alumna, Sofia Gomez recently began a full-time position at renown PR agency, BODEN, after participating in their internship program during Fall 2018. During her time at FIU, Sofia participated and made full use of FIU SCJ’s programs such as the CARTA in DC internship experience and has since gone on to do incredibly in the PR and Advertising world.

Name: Sofia Gomez

Hometown: Miami, Florida

Degree/Major: Bachelor of Science in Public Relations, Advertising and Applied Communication

Where are you working? Title? Boden Agency- Account Coordinator

How did you get your job?
I got my current job by reaching out to my supervisor via email. It had been a month since I graduated from FIU and I was looking for an internship for the Fall of 2018. Since I was still unsure about what type of career within public relations I wanted, I decided to reach out to companies that attended the SCJ career fair earlier that year.

I found my supervisor’s business card and emailed her asking if BODEN was hiring Fall interns, and they were. After working as an intern for Fall 2018, BODEN offered me a full-time position as an Account Coordinator!

What was your greatest fear going into your first job and how did you face it or overcome it?
My biggest fear going into my first job was feeling unprepared for the position and uncertain if I wanted to work at an agency. One thing I learned is patience, which turned out to be the best antidote for my feelings of uncertainty. I realized that every experience requires an adjustment period. During my period of adjustment, I asked many questions to my team to gain a deeper understanding of the work I was doing. After a couple of months, I felt more confident.

What surprised you the most about your first job?
I was surprised by how collaborative building projects can be. At school, you have the occasional group project, but for the most part, you are working on big assignments on your own. In my line of work, you need the support of your team to get the job done. I can’t imagine working on my own. The best ideas are born from impromptu brainstorms.

What advice do you have for those beginning the job search process?
I would advise anyone who is beginning the job search process to cast a wide net. At first glance, you might think you are not cut out for the job. Perhaps you feel your skills do not match the job’s responsibilities or the company’s image might seem intimidating. My advice is to apply anyway. Allow yourself to give any opportunity a chance. If things do not turn out how you wished, then pivot, and set out to cast another net.

What does a day on the job look like?
Some days consists of status meetings pertaining to certain campaigns and brainstorm sessions with my team. If we are pitching a story, I would dedicate my time to creating media lists or following up with media.

How does your job connect back to your coursework?
My coursework laid the foundation for my professional career. Coming into my first job, I knew the concepts of public relations, now I am putting it to practice. Although experience outside the classroom is the best way to learn, the concepts I learned in class prepared me for some of the obstacles I face now.

How has your transition from school to work? How do you balance your time?
Transitioning from school to work was a bit challenging. When I was in school I did a lot of things alone (studying, etc.), but at work, it’s all collaborative. I had to adjust to the ways I contribute to a team. That includes communicating effectively and meeting group deadlines.
My schedule is more consistent working a full-time job. While in school I had classes at different times depending on the semester. Now at work, I know what my schedule looks like most days. Because of this, I have learned how to balance time by prioritizing my tasks. Everything may be important but not everything can be a priority.

What’s been the coolest thing about your job so far?
The coolest thing about my job is having the opportunity of working with big brands like Target and McDonald’s. Working on campaigns with these brands gave me the chance to meet top tier influencers. Other cool perks of my job are visiting cool places like Telemundo headquarters and new cities.

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