“Life is not a race but a journey to be savored each step of the way.” Author Unknown
Name: Danielle Fontus
Age: 24
Occupation: Founder and Publisher of Her Journey Magazine
Did you go to college? Where? Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia
What did you study?
I double majored in Psychology and English: Creative Writing
Where do you work?
I currently work in Long Island, New York.
Where are you from?
New York
Why did you pick this career?
Writing is something that has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I can vividly remember how much I loved getting new stationery and notebooks because of all the things I could imagine writing in them. Writing has remained a constant in my life even when I tried to avoid it. It was only natural that I would find myself in a position that incorporates writing in some way.
What are your future plans for your career?
Not only would I love to develop my writing portfolio, but I would also love to venture into speaking, which can sometimes be a more effective way to reach people. I have enjoyed volunteering and working with children and youth for the past ten years, and I imagine that the future of my career includes working with youth as well. Becoming a youth motivational speaker is certainly on my agenda.
How did you get involved in this career?
I continued to research and seek out things that piqued my interest. With each step, came the next.
How did you prepare yourself for this career?
The best thing for me is to stay active. Whether it is to write in the morning or read a relevant article or research new information, it is important for me to do something productive every single day.
And if you just happened to land in this career what made you stay?
Although I did not have a specific plan for what I wanted to do when I grew up, I love what I’m doing, and that is certainly a reason to stay in any career.
What are the downsides to this profession?
As with any profession, I do not always get desired results. Sometimes an article is not as well received as I’d like. There are also times when I am never fully satisfied with something I am working on and I am faced with the battle between a deadline and perfectionism. However, it all works itself out in the end, and it is always a learning experience.
What is a typical workday for you?
Each day involves tackling whatever is presented that day. Some days that involves composing multiple articles, other days it requires several phone calls to potential advertisers. Some days are filled with meetings with team members, potential business partners and other networking opportunities. What I enjoy most is that no two days are the same. Although the schedule can be demanding I enjoy the freedom of managing my own time.
How might this job be a stepping stone to other professions?Because Her Journey is my independent project, I have had to tackle every aspect of what it takes to keep this project going. From this experience I’ve obtained a wealth of valuable information that I know will help me in the future I have developed my communication and leadership skills, which are universally useful across a number of professions. What I think is most valuable is that it has taught me how to figure out what I don’t know how to do, which is helpful is any profession.
What is the single-most important piece of advice you can offer a person pursuing this career?Take a step towards your dream career, whatever it may be, TODAY!
What steps do you recommend to someone who is planning to pursue this career?
- Do research.
- Network.
- Go for it wholeheartedly.
What professional or community volunteer organizations are you currently a member of?
I currently do not belong to any specific organizations, but I am seeking a volunteer opportunity that I can commit to. Within the next few months, I hope to have secured a position working with youth in some capacity.
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