Today we’d like to introduce you to Skyler Hurt.
Hi Skyler, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born and raised in Houston, but I’ve moved around a lot over the years, with stops in New York City, Orlando, Salt Lake City, Houston again, Austin, and Los Angeles.
I started my career in television, working in unscripted and reality TV as a casting director and producer. After over a decade in that world, I realized I wanted to use my background in storytelling and communications in a way that felt more connected to my community.
That led me to local government, where I now work in communications and public engagement for the City of Georgetown. At the same time, I’ve built Austin Unscripted, my social media platform focused on Austin culture and politics.
Both sides of my work are really rooted in the same thing: helping people understand what’s happening around them, telling stories in a way that feels human, and creating content that connects people.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of the biggest challenges was realizing that a career I had worked toward for years no longer felt right for me. Leaving reality television meant starting over in a lot of ways and figuring out how my skills could translate into something completely different.
Building a public platform has come with its own challenges too. The more I’ve spoken openly about civic issues and things I care about, the more criticism and online backlash I’ve had to learn how to navigate.
And, like a lot of people, I’m still figuring out how to balance a full-time career, creative work, and having an actual life. But every pivot has made me much clearer about the kind of work I want to be doing.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m the Marketing Program Coordinator for the City of Georgetown’s Communications and Public Engagement department. I develop campaigns and content around everything from water conservation and public safety to community programs and state legislative issues that can directly affect our residents.
My background in television has been surprisingly valuable in government. I spent years learning how to find the story, understand an audience, and make information engaging, and I now get to apply those skills to public service.
I’m most proud of proving to myself that changing careers didn’t mean completely starting over. The skills I spent years building in tv ended up giving me a really distinct perspective in government communications.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I think the biggest thing I’ve learned is that your career doesn’t have to make sense in a straight line. I spent years thinking television was the end goal, and now some of the skills I learned there are the exact reason I’m good at a job I never would have imagined for myself.
I’m still figuring out what the next version of my career looks like, but I’ve gotten a lot more comfortable following the work that feels interesting, useful, and meaningful instead of worrying about whether it fits the plan I originally had for myself.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austinunscripted
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/skylerhurt/
