I was a sophomore in college when the COVID-19 pandemic hit - which fundamentally changed my education, my career path, and the job market as a whole. After graduating in 2022, I moved to Los Angeles, and I had no idea what lay ahead.

I’ve always wanted to work in the music industry. I knew one way or another, I was going to get there. After listening to career counselors and fellow Bellisario alumni who had blazed the path before me, I packed everything I owned into my Toyota and drove across the country, hoping to land an entry-level job in music. I struggled to make ends meet at first, working at a tanning salon in West Hollywood while I spent my free time networking, freelancing, and applying to full-time roles.

I got my foot in the door when I landed my first role out of college at EssenceMediacom, working as an Assistant Media Planner on the Universal Pictures account. While this wasn’t the dream job in music I hoped for, it was an extremely valuable learning experience that gave me the fundamental skills I needed to take that next step in my career. I got to work on theatrical releases, learn how linear media is bought, and explore the vast media landscape of streaming, cable, and network television. But when a recruiter from Live Nation reached out about a digital marketing role, I knew I had to make that next leap.

Riding off the post-COVID boom in demand for live music, the digital marketing team at Live Nation Entertainment was expanding. This relatively new department has nearly doubled in size since I started in 2024, with a renewed focus on data-backed decision-making. In a space as dynamic as digital marketing, I knew change would be frequent. However, I didn’t anticipate four department restructures, two of which occurred over a 6-month time span. Alongside the adoption of AI tools into daily workflows, my job responsibilities have been in constant flux. In all honesty, it was leaving me burnt out.

Searching for deeper connections and a lower cost of living, I decided to relocate back to the East Coast in June of 2026. I’m fortunate that my current role has work-from-home flexibility - it’s one of the perks that has kept me loyal throughout this whirlwind experience. I’ve been able to expand my network, reconnect with friends and family, and settle into a better quality of life here in Philadelphia. While nothing beats the weather in LA, I’ve realized my home is right here in Pennsylvania.