REINVENTING YOURSELF AFTER SAYING GOODBYE

HI, I'M JILLIAN

I’ve known from the age of six that I was  born to write. I wrote my own little book in elementary school, and my mom often talks about it to remind me of just how much I love this passion. 

Flash forward to being twenty-one years old, and in just 3 short months, I am taking my first leap into the world of adulthood as an optimistic public relations professional. As a second-semester senior at the University of South Carolina, I stare at my syllabi and think about all the assignments I must complete before I walk across the graduation stage. College graduation approaching so quickly seems scary and stressful, but it feels as if I have been prepared for post-graduate professional life. 

I had always despised taking tests, and coming to college, that did not change. As a high school student, it was very distressing to be in the learn, quiz, test, and forget rotation. Luckily for me, choosing public relations as my major in college had lifted my educational mindset. 

MY STORY

The public relations major at the University of South Carolina has always been a hands-on program, which turned out to be perfect for molding my creative mind. I have taken classes where we interacted with real clients, built case studies from scratch, researched, written and designed our own white papers, and I am currently in a class where I get to write and design for the journalism college alumni magazine. 

In the end, I’ve absolutely loved my college experience. “Senioritis” has hit, and the priority of finding a career and succeeding in the working world has been higher than ever. I was sorority Vice President in 2021, and President in 2022, and these leadership positions required me to step up in a professional manner that has shaped me into a young professional. I absolutely loved leading such a strong and motivating group of women. Our sorority values are love, honor, and truth; I feel as if these are values that should be driven in my post-graduate workplace. 

The ExV Agency internship has been a match made in heaven for me from the start. Frank Carlisi and Karen Gamba have welcomed me with open arms, and truly show how much they care about my education in the public relations world. I am excited to see how far I go in my internship and am blessed to learn from professionals that share the love, honor, and truth values. 

HOW GEN Z DEFINES STRONG LEADERSHIP

Don't Be Afraid To Speak Your Mind.  People value honesty and constructive criticism, whether it be as a boss, employee, coach, friend, captain, etc. 

Be A GREAT Listener. Showing interest and giving a person your undivided attention is the way to start a positive chat with your team. 

Be The Change.   Adapt to the ability to drive change and lead within time sensitive situations. Take the leap to get things done, even if you are not 100% on the idea. You never know what may come from you taking that first step for change. 

Motivate and Inspire Others. Your team will be looking to you for guidance and positive reinforcement. People tend to do best when they are rewarded for their efforts and bonded to their team. 

Build And Foster Relationships. Building these trusting relationships will make a team work stronger, and more honestly with one another. The bond that your team shares will strengthen your company in many aspects. One of my favorite bonding activities is a homemade pizza party. With this activity, the team can share their interests and personality on something that everyone loves, Pizza! 

Recognize Success. We need to normalize celebrating another person’s accomplishments. At the end of the day, we all have similar goals, and each other’s successes’ are what drive us to reach those goals. 

WE ARE CHANGING THE WORLD

Generation Z students and young professionals have the most sought-after perspective in the professional world. Yet, this did not used to be the case. Generation Z had never been taken seriously, as we were the children who grew up during the rise of technological advancement. But I think that this is what makes us different. Generation Z has broken the stigma related to work-life balance. We value a job that makes a difference, aligns with our views, and offers co-worker bonding and a healthy work-life balance for mental health. The Generation Z mindset aligns with healthy reinvention of yourself during transitions, whether it be a new city, new job, or new status in life. 

I have heard from my professors that post-graduate life is the time to reinvent oneself. Interests, taste, hobbies, and time management change as you enter a new point in your life. With maturity comes a better routine of self-care, one that I am personally excited for. 

The transition period from high school to college was terrifying. So, I can’t imagine how I’m going to feel come May 6 as I pack up my things and move back home. 

As I near the end of this chapter of my life, however, I feel ready to enter another. 

I couldn’t have found a better university to call home. As I near my senior spring break, graduation photos, final exams, and sorority events get me thinking. South Carolina created memories for me that have forever changed the course of my personal and professional life. This university can truly shape a person to be the best version of themselves. I am excited to graduate as a Gamecock alumna, so bring on adulthood, Atlanta! 

JILLIAN'S TIPS FOR REINVENTING YOURSELF

Be Your True Self.  Always remember that your likes and dislikes, hobbies, and quirks are what make you special. 

Push your Boundaries! I’ve always been interested in trying new things. Take that extra leap to put yourself out there, although it may be uncomfortable at times. This is how I know that I like to wakeboard! Who knew? 

Stuck In A Hard Place? Try A Change. Whether it be a new city, new job, or new friends- it is always worth it to explore a new option that may be a best fit for YOU!

Make a Bucket List! We all had that one bucket list from when we were kids but try making an adult bucket list! Try that new restaurant, make goals to take on new clients or a new hobby. 

Define Your Core Values. Recognize the type of values that you want to see in yourself, others, or your workplace. This can be helpful for reinventing a new kind of change in your social environment. 

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help! Oftentimes we are afraid to ask for help. Little do we know that a family member, co-worker, teammate, or friend may be experiencing a similar situation.