Crafting My Paradigm

Image on the left is me in 2003/2004 during a family photo and to the right is also me- only a few years later at my 21st birthday picnic.

As a child we all grow up with an idea of what we want our dream job to be. For some of us that idea changes frequently- from teacher to surgeon to psychologist and then maybe back to teacher again. The point is, as we get to know ourselves we begin to craft a paradigm of our ideal future and drive that idea forward.

In my case, that paradigm started to blossom since the sixth grade. If you were to go back in time and ask me what I wanted to be when I grow up, I would answer “a fashion magazine editor.” If you were to ask me that question now you would most likely get multiple answers. Still in the right head space but with different branches of professions within the same interest for fashion.

Archive from a photo I took and posted on Instagram back in 2014 of my current read of Nylon Magazine July 2014 issue.

On Sunday mornings when I would accompany my dad to our local 7-eleven for coffee, a magazines and an iced coffee were my go to pick ups. Every month I could not wait to see which magazine I would pick up this time; Seventeen, Nylon, Vogue, Teen Vogue, the list goes on. I was always fascinated by the entire process it took to put together a magazine- you have the graphic designers, journalist, photographers, marketers- it’s so much creativity and talent is brought together for a final product.

Fast forward to 2020, my combined interest for journalism, marketing consumer behavior, fashion, pop-culture, and music has brought me to where I am now. Currently on my fourth year at Cal State University Northridge with a major in journalism and a minor in interactive marketing I am taking the steps to drive my ideal future into a reality.

Photo on the left is taken by me along Fairfax Ave, a key destination for streetwear. On the right is a mirror photo of myself at work.

I am currently working as a part-time sales associate at Urban Outfitters where I have learned to love working around fashion- however not so much the customer service part because of the rise of Karens. As a sales associate I enjoy being able to talk about clothing pieces and help people express their creativity and personality in the form of clothing.

For my career I feel like there is no other place to live but in the city. Los Angeles is full of different people and cultures that keep you inspired. Although I currently do not have any professional experience in journalism, I am currently in the process of looking for an internship on the editorial and/or marketing side at one of my dream media companies that showcase all of my interests through all different platforms of media.

I’m 21 years old and even though I don’t have my drivers license yet, just know that mentally I am driving towards pursuing my dream career. I may not know the exact job title but through more hands on experiences I am more certain that the pieces will all fall into place.