On the Scene with Seventeen

Title: Associate Web Editor, Seventeen.com 

Hometown: Shreveport

Now resides in: New York City

Degree: 2005, B.A., Journalism

How I got to Tech: My older sister, Jill, graduated from Tech in psychology seven years before I went to college; and she loved it. So, I decided to follow in her footsteps, but major in journalism. It was one of the best decisions I ever made.

After graduating: I packed everything I could into two suitcases and a carry-on, flew to New York and moved into an apartment I hadn't seen before I signed the lease. It was really scary - especially since I didn't have a job yet, but all of the magazine editors I knew told me I had to do it if I wanted a chance in the industry. I freelanced for Reader's Digest, Seventeen and some other small projects, and interviewed everywhere I could. My freelance job at Seventeen finally turned into a full-time job four months later. It was the happiest day of my life. I know it sounds so cliché, but it's true!

What I do now: I'm the associate editor for Seventeen's Web site, seventeen.com. My daily grind involves obsessing over and interviewing teen heartthrobs, updating the site with new content and maintaining our social networking pages (MySpace, Facebook, etc.) There's always something new going on, which I love. One second I could be dishing out advice in a column to our readers, and the next I could be getting beauty advice from a celebrity in the conference room.

Advice to college-bound students: It's all about networking. Use your four years in college to form relationships with people who can help you in your career when you get out. E-mailing strangers is even an option if you admire their work. Even your friends at Tech can ultimately be contacts for you.

Tips on choosing a major: Choose something that makes you happy. Chances are, you're going to have to work long hours, maybe even weekends. If work is going to be such a huge part of your life, you might as well make it something you love.

Advice to someone who wants to enter my field: Get as much experience as you can. Work on the campus paper, write for the yearbook, intern at a local paper or national magazine. The more jobs you have on your resumé, the better the chances you'll be considered. This industry is very competitive, so you have to go out of your way to stand out.

My toughest professional challenge: Learning how to balance work and personal time. I learned it's OK to turn my Blackberry off on nights and weekends.

Memories of Tech: Hanging out with my roommate, Jordan, and our group of friends, running between the Lagniappe and Tech Talk offices, and going to Monroe for special occasions.

Triumphs in my life: Setting my goal to move to New York and actually doing it.

I knew I was grown up when: I set up my 401K.

If I've learned one thing in life, it is: To ask for what you want.

Characteristics of an indispensable employee: Be enthusiastic, on time and never make the same mistake twice.