10 Years Ago: The Summer That Changed Everything
I still remember this view like it was yesterday. The New Yorker Hotel, standing tall and bright, was my home for an entire summer during my junior year of college. I was in New York City, the place where dreams are made, with an internship at IPG Mediabrands. From the outside, it seemed like I was living the dream—NYC, a hotel stay, and a foot in the door at a major company. Friends and family thought I was on top of the world.
But what they didn’t see was the reality behind the glossy exterior. I was broke, depressed, and completely lost. The city that never sleeps was also the city that never stopped reminding me of how far I still had to go. That summer, I learned how to stretch a dollar, how to navigate the grid, and most importantly, how to keep pushing forward even when it felt like the world was against me.
Key Lessons Learned:
1. Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable: Growth happens when we step outside our comfort zones. That summer, I learned that embracing the unfamiliar is the first step toward becoming who you’re meant to be.
2. Try Something New: Don’t be afraid to take risks. Trying new things opens up opportunities you never imagined. That internship, even with all its challenges, was a door to great mentors! A special thank you to Sonia Riojas for simply existing - you were the first Latina I saw leading, advocating, and supporting your team and ideas.
3. Resilience is Everything: Life will knock you down, but what matters is how you get back up. That summer taught me the true meaning of resilience—an invaluable skill I carry with me to this day.
Fast forward to today, and I look back at that summer not with regret, but with gratitude. That challenging time was what shaped who I am now—a marketing executive with a passion for empowering others, and a clear vision for my future. It was in those moments of doubt and struggle that I discovered my resilience and determination to succeed.
The New Yorker Hotel isn’t just a building to me; it’s a symbol of how far I’ve come.
So, to anyone out there who feels lost or overwhelmed—take it one day at a time. Clarity comes with consistency and purpose with persistence.
#CareerJourney #CareerGrowth
Partner/CEO Morning Walk
2mogreat to have you here sophia