Life Pointed North - I Moved Up

Hi there!

It's been a year since my last post and as expected, a lot has happened since June 2011! Most importantly, I was offered my dream job at Edelman Public Relations and started out as an Assistant Account Executive with the DJE Science team in Chicago. I was also able to work with ESPN radio (Mike and Mike, Colin Cowherd, Scott Van Pelt) during the Super Bowl in Indianapolis. Even though neither of the football teams were that exciting for me, I had an AMAZING time working with the ESPN radio crew and will never forget all of the famous athletes, entertainment stars and other amazing people I met while working on the set. In between all of that excitement, two of my sisters graduated and my best friend had a baby. It was a busy year!

 First, let's talk about Chicago. Why didn't I move here sooner? Oh that's right, cost of living is much higher than Indy. Talk about a surprise - when I found out my rent was going to be $950 each month (without utilities, a/c or any of the luxuries), I threw up a little. I've long since adjusted and thoroughly enjoy all of the amenities that the city life has to offer. Public transit and I have become best friends, I've learned most of the lake shore path like the back of my hand, and I can't WAIT for the first big snow of 2012.

Picture taken October 2011 during one of my first evenings in Chicago. 

Photo of Buckingham fountain Millennium Park

If you're wondering why Edelman, don't worry because we'll cover that next. I've lived my life responding to challenges. Someone told me I wasn't qualified enough for an internship, so I worked hard and got it. Someone told me that a class was next to impossible, so I aced it. Then someone told me I'd never find a job in PR right off the bat... I almost believed them this time. It took me from May through September before Edelman offered me an internship. You can bet I snatched that opportunity and with a flash and a 2-week turnaround time, I found an apartment, packed up my life and moved to Chicago. Again, someone told me that interns don't get hired full time until they've been there for at least 6 months (if not longer). I focused all my time on developing my PR skills, honing in on team needs and boom - I was given a full time offer after 3 months. I'm now working with a kick-ass team in DJE Science learning about medical, biotechs, pharmaceuticals, and general healthcare clients while helping them meet their PR needs. I love it!

Guess what else? My motivation is really paying off. Not only did I land my dream job, but my wonderful team nominated me for the prestigious internal staff awards at Edelman, called the Eddy awards. I was nominated and won the "Rookie of the Year" Eddy award in August 2012! I also worked on and walked with Edelman's 60 Miles or Bust team - the company's team for the Susan G. Komen 3-day walk for the cure. I loved meeting people from offices across the U.S. and volunteering with people from all different internal groups in the Chicago office. Together, the 26 other walkers and I were able to raise more than $80,000 for breast cancer research. I was honored as volunteer MVP for my efforts with this initiative. It's safe to say that this motivation is paying off. I'm looking forward to learning the next new thing and continuing to kick butt.

Day 2 of the Komen 3-Day walk

Picture taken at the starting line with a few of my 60 Miles or Bust team members

Real-world stuff aside, I mentioned the great time I had working with ESPN. My time at the Super Bowl really made me reevaluate and make sure that PR was wanted to do. I really contemplated sticking with radio promotions as my full time gig! I think I made the right choice, but I really miss promotions. Shout to Kelly Carey and Mike and Mike for being awesome every morning at the crack of dawn. Working with you all is always a blast!

Photo of me and my dad at Monument Circle in Indianapolis

Standing in front of the Super Bowl Letters, 2012

Other life updates include: 

• Doni graduated from IU and moved out to Los Angeles. She's kicking butt out there working on a music entertainment start-up, trying to find the perfect job and setting up her life. 
• Amy graduated from Park Tudor and began school at IU. Haven't heard anything bad yet so I'm assuming she's still making good choices. I worry about her often! 
• Lauren finished up a great internship with Talk to Tucker, a local real estate agency. She's trying to finalize her direction for graduation in terms of what she wants to do with her life. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for her - it's a tough call! 

Lauren, Amy Doni and I take self-portraits regularly

Picture taken at Amy's high school graduation in Indianapolis

• My parents are now empty nesters! Literally all four of their children are out of the house for the majority of the year. Next summer, they will be the proud parents of THREE college graduates! Love you Sandi and Larry! 
• I have joined the Junior League of Chicago as of June 2012 and LOVE IT. I am so excited to have volunteering opportunities back in my life again. It's not Big Brothers Big Sisters, but it will do for now! Shout out to SKYLER, my little, for being AWESOME and getting good grades in middle school! 
• I've seen a bunch of my best friends and relatives get engaged and/or married over the last year, too. I've had the pleasure of celebrating with most of them and look forward to sharing more life milestones in the future. Shout out to The Bohans, Andy and Paige, Kyle and Krystal, Diane and Kevin, Emily and Mark, Amy and Erik, Whitney and David, and all the others who are taking the marriage plunge. 
• I almost forgot: shout out to THE HOYTS who bought a house, moved and welcomed their bouncing baby boy Tucker into their lives in the same month! 

I think that about covers it for now. Let's hope we'll see another update on here within a year this time. In the meantime, I challenge you to accept a life challenge and strive to surpass expectations. It really is incredibly rewarding and worthwhile! Also, please comment if I've forgotten an important milestone. It's incredibly likely that my loopy brain might have left something out! Until next time!