Hi there, please tell us a little bit about yourself! Who are you? What do you like to do for fun?

Hi all! My name is Collier, I'm originally from North Carolina but I've lived in NYC, Dallas, and England. I'm a storyteller with experiences in multiple fields of communications and marketing. I spend my free time creating dressage musical freestyles, reading anything high fantasy, and exploring or traveling.  

Can you tell us what you do as a Global Communications Senior Specialist at Deloitte for those who are unfamiliar?

Currently I'm on Deloitte's Global Audit & Assurance Brand, Communications, and Marketing team. I help create, deliver, and manage global level internal and external brand, communications, and marketing pieces for Deloitte's Audit & Assurance business. We help set the tone at the top and then work with Deloitte teams worldwide to implement the different messaging, brand kits, marketing materials etc.

How did you decide to pursue your specific career? What pivotal moments pushed you to where you are now?

I originally thought I wanted to go in to film! But careers are rarely linear. I always liked communications in some way, shape, or form so I shifted after college and started my career in brand reputation and digital communications. This entailed developing social media campaigns, securing brand partnerships for clients, working directly alongside said clients to help grow and bring value to their brands, and managing digital communications channels. A lot of buzzwords there, but really it was a lot of different hats worn in the realm of telling a story and it ultimately led me to a realization that my strengths and passion lay in client relationships and communications from a very story-oriented view. They don't teach you that in school your job may lie in a soft skill, not a technical major!

What programs & tools do you use everyday for your work? What do you like/dislike about these programs?

Trello is my go-to project management tool. It's very easy and you can bring a whole team on to collaborate across many projects and campaigns. I also use the Adobe Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, etc.) along with the Microsoft Office Suite on a daily basis. The rest of my tools are analog - I'm a pen and paper kind of gal. If its not written down, it's not getting done.
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Any advice on how to stand out and get hired for those starting off?

Be curious! Don't be afraid to ask questions or deep dive into a topic. There is so much to learn and having a broad knowledge base on many different topics will serve you well. Also, don't get discouraged - starting off and finding a job can seem daunting, but just keep chipping away. Reach back out to recruiters, send people messages on LinkedIn. People like to help, you just have to keep searching and asking until you find the ones that will lend a hand.

What are some must-have resources or skills you would recommend for your industry?‍

MasterClass was a great investment I made during the pandemic - I'd set 30 minutes every day and go through the courses to help upskill. I also would highly suggest reading the news every morning. Even if it's just the front page of the Wall Street Journal, it's important to know what is going on in the world and in your area of business.

What are 3 character traits that would make someone excel in your field?

Curiosity, empathy, and a willingness to run towards the fire.

Most satisfying & difficult thing about your job?

I think the most satisfying thing is also the most difficult thing. Communications/marketing/storytelling is a process that is creatively rooted, and because of that, it doesn’t lend itself to absolutes. There are many ways of working; but you will know when something is absolutely right or absolutely wrong. You have to embrace the fact that everything is a risk that nothing is a given. There’s a lot of work and thought that goes into every little element. And keeping this in the back of your mind is extremely vital to crafting a story that resonates.

What would you like to say to your younger self?‍

Breathe and know that the time and the work you have put in will lead you where you are supposed to go. Trust and be kind to yourself.

Best advice you've received/heard?

When things get tough, go back to basics. This applies to your professional life and personal life.