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How To Prepare for Your Dream Career and Your Soul Mate
Having a successful career and love is something that we all want, right? Journalist Amy Elisa Jackson is someone that has been fortunate enough to marry the love of her life, while also serving as a powerhouse in the journalism industry.
Amy Elisa has had her work published in PEOPLE, Ebony, and EssenceMagazine, as well as MSN, Business Insider, and Fast Company. She has penned top cover stories with Tyra Banks, Magic Johnson, and Mariah Carey, just to name a few, so I felt as though she'd be the perfect go-getter to sit down with and chat about the balancing act that comes with being a career-oriented woman.
In a little less than an hour, Amy Elisa spoke to my soul while giving me the tea on herself and her career journey. I laughed, and typed away, while trying to fully soak in not only the moment, but all of the bomb advice that she was giving me. Read more about this amazing woman below and get ready to receive genuine advice that you can apply to your professional and personal lives.
What is your 30 second elevator pitch?
My name is Amy Elisa Jackson, I’ve been a journalist and content creator for the past 10 years in the entertainment and lifestyle space. I am proud Stanford graduate, wife, friend, sister, auntie, LA girl, ride or die, bougie to the end.
Can you describe your personal brand in three words?
Witty, lighthearted, and down to earth.
What type of things have you done in your career that has helped you develop your personal brand and reach the level of success that you have now?
A couple of things, first never shying away from speaking engagements. I’ve always been honored when asked to speak or to moderate a panel. One of my first speaking engagements was for PEOPLE magazine and I was doing a fashion show for our "Best & Worst Dressed" issue. I had never done anything like that before and I was nervous, but I did well. Never shying away from those opportunities to step out from behind the keyboard has served me really well.
[Tweet "Never shy away from opportunities."]
Second, I’ve always been very conscious of creating a space where people can find more info about me. I never made any of my social media accounts private. I’ve always been pretty open—the good, the bad, the ratchet, the Christian--all in one. Early on, I created an About Me page, because I thought that it was very important for people to connect with me and see my clips. I now have my own website that isn’t a blog, but is simply my work.
The third thing in terms of branding, and I really, really, really emphasize this one: get a great headshot taken. After I left PEOPLEMagazine, I knew that no matter what I wanted to do next, I needed a face and some type of good representation so I took headshots. I spent $500 and I still have the exact same headshots right now, but consistently you will see the same pictures from me. I really encourage young women to go take really good headshots. Everyone can tell when you have profile picture from when you were at the club. Yes, your face is beat and you looked cute, but there is professional day makeup and night makeup.
What are your thoughts about having different personas on social media?
I think that the person you want the world to receive is the person you put on social media. I am transparent because what I deliver in person is exactly what I am fine with the outside world receiving.
[Tweet "The person you are on social media should be consistent on all accounts. "]
I also believe that there is nothing bad with scrubbing your social media accounts and completely cleaning them out. Also, there should always be a genuine spirit about your social media and whatever presence is out there because people know when it's fake.
What were some of the steps that you took while in college to prepare for your career?
When I was in school, I petitioned to take graduate level classes as an undergrad. I wanted to get more out of my undergraduate experience, so I wanted to take higher-level classes.
I think that no matter where you are, it’s important to not take “no” for an answer. “No” does not mean “no” to me, it means “hold on, while we figure it out.” I think that when you are paying $50,000 or when you are paying $10,000 to go to school, you absolutely need to make it work for you. Be tenacious. You can hack your way into getting the education that you want.
In school, I wrote for the Stanford Daily, and I wrote for and edited the Stanford African-American newspaper called TheReal News. The summer after my freshman year, I interned for Russell Simmons’ OneWorld magazine. The summer after my junior year, I interned at Source magazine, and Lord Jesus, I was paid $60 a week! $60 a week in New York City was not a game, but I learned a tremendous amount about how to carry myself, having poise, being cool and calm under pressure— and cool and calm under ratchet.
[Tweet "Be cool and calm under pressure, and cool and calm under ratchet."]
[Related: 15 Best Paid Summer Internships That You Should Apply To Now]
I see that you heavily assisted with the launch of Cocoa Fab. What advice do you have for someone that wants to launch their own website?
[During the launch of CocoaFab] I followed the lead of the founders Angela Burt-Murray and Shelly Jones Jennings. The site was already in the incubation stages and needed content so Angela, one of my mentors, called me and I eagerly accepted.
When it comes to launching a company, know the space. Too often, especially in the blog space, people are so eager to launch. Doing your market research and knowing where you fit in the marketplace is important. Knowing how to monetize is really important, and getting really quality writers and a quality website are key. You need to also have a savings to launch anything to be an entrepreneur. You need money you can pay rent with, and to invest in your company. Anyone who is going to invest in you and take time to hear your [business] pitch wants to know that you have skin in the game. It’s very hard to go out and pitch to angel investors or anyone else if you have not invested your own money.
[Related: From Radio to Real Estate: Egypt Sherrod Dishes On Her Leap Of Faith, Smart Investments, & Balance]
What advice do you have for minority women in the tech industry on standing out?
I believe that we have to work twice as hard as our competition and know twice as much and be twice as good. Believing this has made me stronger and has taught me more.
One of the challenges that women deal with in the workplace is clarity in the workspace. Talking to your manager, having a great working relationship, and telling them about your expectations are important. Ask them about their work style, how they communicate, and their measures of success. For example, if you value feedback, you can tell your manager that. If you don’t prefer socializing in the workplace, you have to voice that to your manager, but also propose some other ways to build camaraderie.
Also, be clear about your talents. Levo has a really great app called Thinking Talents. Your Thinking Talents are things that define you as a worker, employee, and a passionate person. Understanding yourself and what you bring to the table is really half the battle and conveying those things is the other half.
What is the greatest opportunity that you’ve received?
When I started at PEOPLE mag I was an intern in 2005, and the greatest opportunity that I had in that space was, one, being hired full time as a writer/reporter. While there, I was really dead set on writing an amazing feature and pitching Tyra Banks. The idea that my editor-in-chief trusted me enough to give me such a major exclusive and follow my gut was huge, that was in 2007, and was really early in my career. The moment gave me my “beat” in covering women’s health and body image, but also in covering African-Americans for PEOPLE magazine.
Many young women struggle with desiring a relationship and career. What type of advice do you have for someone that wants love, but still wants to be a boss in the workplace?
Number one, prepare yourself. If you go to high school to prepare for college, and college to prepare for your career, you have to prepare for marriage. You will not be a wife overnight. You cannot be a mother overnight. Get yourself ready to open up to someone else, to tackles someone else’s challenges, to answer your own questions about what you want out of life and what drives you, what inspires you, what motivates you, what stimulates you. Now I’m not talking about what Beyoncé says is important or what Instagram says, but really knowing for yourself. Knowing you so much so that you can convey it to someone else.
[Tweet "Be prepared for yourself before you are preparing for someone else. "]
I knew my husband in college but we didn’t date then; we reconnected at a Stanford football game in 2011. When we went on our first few dates, I didn’t shy away from being honest about wanting to date with the goal of finding a husband. When you are very clear, and you know what it is that you want, that is helpful. Also, my actions led him to understand and believe that. I knew very soon that he was the one and that he could be the head of my household. We’re such a great team; he’s my forever jumpoff.
Also, I don’t believe in fixing a man!
There are things that you can work on and work with-- if that’s what he wants. I think too often we go down a path trying to fix, mend, and grow, and often times that is not smart. Men really do know what they want and what they are ready for. They are very clear, very honest, simple, easy people. We tend to complicate things. Believe him the first time, and watch what he does, not just what he says.
[Related: Sage the Gemini Reminds Us That When It's Real, He Will Make It Official]
What changes do your foresee in the journalism industry in the next five years?
The biggest shift will be in how stories are told. I think you will see a lot more video integration, a lot more on the ground reporting, and a lot more iPhone, Periscope, and Skype chat interviews. I think long-form features will come back, and opinion writing will come back stronger than ever. I think there will be an increase in Millennial opinion writers and a diversity of Millennial content.
What is your personal work philosophy?
Hustle hard, but live life to the fullest. I think self-care and balance are really important. But do I work myself into the ground overnight? No, I won’t do that anymore. But I’ve earned the right to do that. I’ve earned my place in life to do that. That was not always the case. I’ve worked really hard for ten years straight and now I’m in a different place where my focus is on my family. I learned a while ago, don’t judge your starting line by someone else’s finish line.
[Tweet "Don’t judge your starting line with my finish line."]
I think that hustling hard, but living live to the fullest is one of the most important things that we can learn from Amy. Leave us a comment below on how Amy's words have inspired you.
Brittani Hunter is a proud PVAMU alumni and the founder of The Mogul Millennial, a business and career platform for Black Millennials. Meet Brittani on Twitter and on the Gram at @BrittaniLHunter and @mogulmillennial.
This article is sponsored by Hulu.
UnPrisonedhas returned for its highly anticipated second season, delving deeper into the complex dynamics of the Alexander family.
The series premiere comes a year after its debut season garnered rave reviews from fans and critics and earned record-breaking ratings for Hulu's Onyx Collective brand. UnPrisoned's success can be attributed to its raw, relatable themes and comedic appeal.
Inspired by creator Tracy McMillan's life, the show follows Paige (Kerry Washington), a therapist and single mother whose life takes an unexpected turn when her father, Edwin (Delroy Lindo) --who was released from prison-- moves in with her and her teenage son, Finn (Faly Rakotohavana).
Throughout UnPrisoned's first season, viewers witnessed how Edwin's incarceration deeply affected Paige's life and relationships. In the series, Paige unpacks her trauma through interactions with her inner child and her online followers. Meanwhile, Edwin is overcoming specific struggles with his own past that led to his life of crime, including a dysfunctional upbringing and his mother's arrest. As the Alexanders attempt to reconcile, new challenges arise.
This new season promises to further explore their unconventional family dynamic. Here are several compelling reasons why season two of UnPrisoned should be on everyone's watchlist.
The Alexander Family Life Is Still In Shambles
UnPrisoned's second season resumes where the series left off, with Paige grappling with the fallout from her troubled therapy practice and Edwin navigating life independently after moving out. Meanwhile, Finn faces his own challenges. The teenager is battling anxiety and seeking information about his father—a topic Paige avoids discussing.
The Alexander Family Are Attending Therapy To Resolve Their Underlying Issues
Amid the chaos in their lives, the Alexander family decides to mend their bond by confronting their past traumas. They seek professional help and attend therapy sessions with a “family radical healing coach,” played by John Stamos, a new cast member. This collective effort aims to unravel the complexities of their shared history and strengthen their relationships.
The process of unraveling each character's internal conflicts and their potential impact on future relationships may clash with Paige's textbook therapy approach. While Paige is used to being in the therapist's seat in both career and family, this forces her into the unfamiliar role of a patient during therapy sessions. This shift would compel her to look in the mirror and try a radically different approach.
The Alexander Family Learned A Big Lesson During A Therapy Session
In therapy, the Alexanders are tasked with addressing their individual traumas to salvage their remaining relationships. One of the family therapist’s eccentric suggestions was an exercise involving a family wrestling match. During this session, Paige faces tough questions about her refusal to share information about Finn's father.
While it's unclear whether this scene is reality or fantasy, the image of the family duking it out in the ring certainly makes for hilarious yet compelling television.
Paige Tries Dating Again Following Failed Relationships
Amid her life's chaos, Paige decides to step back into the dating field. However, her many attempts have left her with mixed results. The dating apps have turned out to be a fail, and an outing with her ex Mal (Marque Richardson), who is also her father's parole officer, doesn’t go quite as expected after he brings an unexpected guest – his new girlfriend.
The situation takes an awkward turn when Mal's new partner learns why the former couple split, partly due to Paige's self-sabotage.
UnPrisoned Is A Perfect Balance Of Comedy And Drama
As a dramedy, UnPrisoned takes a comedic approach to its heavy subjects. The show takes us on a ride with Paige's dating misadventures and navigating a friendship with her ex.
Other lighthearted moments include Edwin's attempts at CPR based on online videos and, of course, the antics of the Alexander family's unconventional new healing coach.
The second season of UnPrisoned is now available on Hulu.
UnPrisoned | Season 2 Trailer | Hulu
Feature image courtesy
'Love Island USA' Star JaNa Craig On The Reality Of Black Women On Dating Shows
Love Island USA just wrapped up its sixth season, and it has been the talk of the town. According to Nielsen, it's the No. 1 show on streaming, proving it's just as entertaining as the UK version. One of the reasons this season has been successful is due to the authentic relationships formed between the islanders in the villa.
You have the sisterhood between Serena Page, JaNa Craig, and Leah Kateb, aka PPG, and the real relationship moments between couples like Serena Page and Kordell Beckham, who were named the winners of this season. The other finalists include Leah Kateb and Miguel Harichi, Nicole Jacky and Kendall Washington, and JaNa Craig and Kenny Rodriguez.
While JaNa made it to the finale with her boo Kenny, her journey in the villa was far from perfect. Viewers saw the Las Vegas native get her heart stomped on a few times after many of her connections didn't work out.
At one point, it even looked like she was getting kicked off the island. While she had a lot of support from people watching the show, it was clear that she was in a position that many Black women on reality dating shows find themselves in: not being desired.
It has been an ongoing conversation among Black women watching reality dating shows as we see time and time again that non-Black women or racially ambiguous-looking women are often chosen over Black women, especially dark-skinned women. In a discussion with Shadow and Act, JaNa opened up about the support she received from viewers.
@cineaxries i love them 🤧 #janacraig #janaandkenny #loveislandusa #foryou #peacock #loveisland #janaloveisland #xybca #kennyloveisland #janaedit #loveislandedit #janaedits #loveislandusaedit #viral #loveislandusaseason6 #foryoupage #peacocktv
"You know what’s so crazy? I’m so grateful, because when I got my phone, the way they’re making us The Princess and The Frog…I felt honored. I will be that beautiful chocolate queen if I need to be. And the comments like 'beautiful chocolate girl,' I’m like, all Black women are beautiful. There’s the whole light skin versus dark skin, which breaks my heart. I just really don’t understand that, but I will take pride and represent us well," she said.
She also candidly discussed her experience as a dark-skinned Black woman on the show. JaNa and Serena had been in the villa since the first episode, and they were the only dark-skinned Black women there. As new men aka bombshells came into the villa, they found themselves not being wanted by many of them.
"Me and Serena literally had a heart-to-heart before Kenny came in and she’s like, I just don’t think it’s fair that the Black girls don’t get enough fair chance.' Every islander that came in, we were not their top pick. And we just [thought], maybe because we’re Black girls, and the dark-skinned Black girls. It sucked," she said.
"I’m like, 'Serena, we know what we bring to the table. We’re great personalities. A guy’s going to come in for us.' That’s when we manifested what we wanted, and that’s when I manifested Kenny."
@ashleyvera__ We love to see it 🥰 #loveislandusa #loveisland #loveisland2024 #janaandkenny #loveislandseason6 #peacock #realitytv #fypage
After many failed connections, Kenny came in and immediately turned JaNa's experience around. America watched the model get the care and attention that she deserved.
"I’m not going to hold you. When I was in the bottom for a quick second, I’m like, ‘There’s no way America doesn’t [ride for us]. I know Black America had to ride for me, but maybe because I’m a dark-skinned … hmm … maybe … you feel me? And you saw the Casa Amor lineup. Beautiful, beautiful light-skinned [women]," she said.
"We looked at each other like, 'Damn, Love Island did their big one with this. And every single Casa Amor girl was like, 'You girls are gorgeous, you guys are stunning.' They expressed love. You guys are beautiful and it felt good."
Although she and Kenny came in third place, JaNa is happy that she got her man in the end. "I think the thing I’m most grateful about is the fact that this is a beautiful love story like you guys complement each other and there’s no hate toward the skin color. It’s all love and support. I love that more than anything," she said.
"That’s why I was like, 'I won,' even though I didn’t win. And the fact that Serena won, we were like, 'Yeah, run that.' Either way, we won. And I love the support from all communities."