The Road Taken

“Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, and sorry I could not travel both.” Robert Frost obviously was not talking about career paths because it is more like a highway system of potential roads to choose from. How do you pick which to take?

I have had multiple people, who remind me of where I was as a first- or second-year student, ask me how I got the opportunities I have had in my professional life so far. It was often frustrating to hear advice for college admissions, internship searches or applying to jobs because there is no perfect formula to get from point a to point b. I had a very winding road to get to where I am now, and there are signs all over the road that say it will only have more turns. There is nothing wrong with that; in fact, it is exciting. So, what would I tell anyone in this position? There is nothing wrong with being lost about where you want to go or what you want to do. Find your passion and don’t settle for something; make opportunities for yourself, take risks outside of your comfort zone or what you think is possible, and give an opportunity 110% because you never know what could come from it. With that being said, here is my story so far.

My professional interests have been ever-changing since high school. The one thing I knew for sure was that I was going to start with studying at UNC-Chapel Hill. I did not solidify what I wanted to major in until my junior year of college.

The UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School gave me the greatest gift I have ever received: the gift of understanding failure and rejection. It was a competitive year, and I applied with interest in corporate law, which they do not specialize in. It was not easy to come to terms with getting thrown off my plan, but I decided to take it as a sign to reconsider what I wanted to do.

My friends, slightly worried about heartbroken, directionless Lia, had me talk to someone who was a senior at the time majoring in advertising and happened to be president of the advertising club. She was impressive, well-spoken, and someone that just seemed like they had it all together. Now that I think about it, she sold the major to me like an advertisement, but I hung on her every word.

Now, fast forward to the spring of my sophomore year, I was admitted into the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media. I sat in my beginners level classes and loved every one of them. I was challenged to write stories fit for a paper, conduct studies about consumer behavior, produce multimedia storytelling and so much more. I knew that this was the right place for me because it was fulfilling and enjoyable work. With my advertising and public relations concentration and English minor, I began carving out a particular niche within strategic communication and messaging.

As my junior year winter break was nearing, Covid was running rampant, and I was lost. I was bored and feeling unfulfilled. I did not want to stop progressing because the future was uncertain. The pandemic had a silver lining: an opportunity to work remotely with the Rehearsal Club. The Rehearsal Club is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting young women building careers in performing arts based out of New York City with notable alumni such as Carol Burnett, Blythe Danner and Cynthia Darlow. I happened upon a LinkedIn job posting for the nonprofit’s social media and marketing strategy role. What I lacked in experience, I made up for in dedication and excitement about their work. They took a chance on me, and I gave it my all. What started as a six-week project commitment turned into a six-month internship that I created; I volunteered my time and built my portfolio. I was fortunate enough to be in a position where I could do this, and it was an investment in myself and my skills. Looking back on the results, I still am in awe that I was able to increase Facebook engagement by 1010%, increase Instagram followers by 935%, and help them meet their $200k yearly fundraising goal in 7 weeks. 

As I was interviewing for summer internships those next few months, you can imagine recruiters wanted to hear about those results. I applied to several places and got interviews for four different internships. One of them was at a large company that had a notable presence in where I am from. I grew up watching their commercials with a pantsless puppet, so I wanted to see what would happen. I could not accurately explain what the company did in my first round interview; I did not think I would get a second interview after that. Always do your research. I learned my lesson after that embarrassment. Of course, this was ultimately the internship that I ended up choosing. Funny enough, after talking to the other interns, they also made the same mistake of thinking that the company was a lender. They are not a lender but an online marketplace that connects consumers and lenders (ask me for my elevator pitch now, I’ve practiced). What made me so drawn to this company was that it was the only interview where the hiring manager or anyone in the interview process took the time to look at my portfolio; this was my first time realizing how essential culture is in creating a positive workplace.

I am glad I interned at the company because it gave me the chance to prove how valuable I could be through a wild 12 weeks. It was a little dramatic to give my first presentation with my camera off because I was in the hospital during my second week, but it showed how hard I was willing to work. The same manager that looked at my portfolio in my interview asked me if I would be interested in contracting during my senior year. I jumped at the opportunity. My friends made fun of me for having to find quiet places to take team meetings or for pulling out my laptop in the car to do work while we drove to Target or Cookout. But I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I gained so much experience and structured my classes around what I thought would be the most impactful for my professional development.

I suppose that was the extended version of saying that “I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” I took the path meant for me, which was defined by my passions. I was extremely excited about every opportunity I pursued, and some of them I had to carve out for myself. If you can take the ball and run with it, do it. Nothing is stopping you but you. If you give an opportunity 110%, then you can always be happy with the outcome. You gave it your all, and you never know where the extra effort may lead you. Every opportunity I have had has been a stepping stone on the last part of my path, extending what I previously thought was possible for myself.

More About The Author

Lia Esposito is a senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill pursuing a degree in Media and Journalism concentrating in Advertising and Public Relations with an English Minor. She is currently a social media strategist in the fintech industry.