Name: Nicole Alvarez
Hometown: Miami, FL
Degree/Major: Communication Arts (Arts and Performance Track) and Mass Communications (PR)
Where are you working? Title? Universal Music Group as Project Manager
How did you get your job? Through networking. I knew a person who knew a person.
What was your greatest fear going into your first job and how did you face it or overcome it? My fear was not being prepared or not knowing how to do my job. I overcame that fear by asking when I needed help and trusting that I had the education and knowledge needed to succeed.
What surprised you the most about your first job? How much time it demands and how fast paced it is.
What advice do you have for those beginning the job search process? Even if you think you are not fully qualified, apply and don’t limit yourself. Go after your dream job fearlessly.
What does a day on the job look like? Recap meeting with my team (artist managers), follow up to obtain all contracts needed, post on our social media about new releases/shows, marketing meeting and various phone calls with promoters.
How does your job connect back to your coursework? I always say my favorite class was Business Communication because it taught me how to write professional emails, memos, etc. As my job is very corporate, this comes in handy.
How has your transition from school to work? It was definitely difficult, I am not going to lie. Work is nothing like school. The demand and urgency for things are overwhelming at times. I feel a little more pressure at work because I am doing a job for our company and our artist so if something goes wrong it is much worse than when I was in school and most of my work was just for me.
How do you balance your time? I have come to peace with the fact that I will be at work from 9am – 7pm and then just work around that schedule. I have become accustomed and I get my gym time, family time, social time and relaxation time.
What’s been the coolest thing about your job so far? Meeting so many new people in the field and getting to personally know all of our artists. Plus I get to travel!
