Today we’d like to introduce you to Shauné Smith.
Hi Shauné, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
In high school I had a desire to stand out. Everyone and everything felt so boring, my town, the people, trends, so I wanted to do something about it. I was in drill team and became our team’s social media coordinator and from there a fire lit under me with passion. I decided to go to Texas State University to pursue social media coordination initially thinking that I could achieve that career by enrolling as a Marketing student; however, after a full semester and a horrible math class I knew marketing was not for me. By joining various different organizations that gave me what I count find from my hometown like access to other creatives (LEWK Magazine), and finding a group of women to connect with (Bobcat Belles), I felt like I fully escaped the colorless life I knew before. From there I discovered Public Relations, and felt connected to it and changed my major. Joined various Public Relations organizations, began to refine my creative skills in photography, social media management, graphic design, creative direction, and more. As semesters passed I started joining executive committees in my organizations, Director of External Communications (Bobcat Promotions), PR. Chair (Bobcat Belles), Modeling Director (LEWK Magazine), and got a job at a local restaurant, Gumby’s Pizza, as the Social Media Coordinator. My passion to stand out persisted as I pushed myself to manage so many things at once. Leadership was something new to me but so many peers and advisors believed in me so I then evolved in my positions to become the President of Bobcat Belles and was invited to participate in a national public relations competition, PRSSA Bateman Case Study Competition, where I became the Account Executive of my team of 6. Over 8 months of building our campaign on research, strategy, and planning I led the team to win 1st place in the nation. After that win, I landed an internship with one of Austin’s most renown PR/Marketing agencies, Giant Noise, where I am a standing Public Relations Intern. Additionally I am now the Marketing Manager of Gumby’s Pizza and Happy Slice Pizza. Going into my senior year at TXST very excited to close off this chapter of my life and see what is left in store.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I am a persistent hard worker. My friends usually reference that “if Shauné can do it, anyone can”. I always attempt and succeed at proving to myself that I can despite the challenge. Of course there are bumpy roads that I find myself on, especially with maintaining so many things at once; however, that does not mean that they are impossible to go through.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in a vast variety of everything! Social media management, PR, Marketing, Photography, Content Creation, Leading. I am equally proud of all of the things mentioned prior, but something that sets me apart is my passion to out-do myself. I am constantly in competition with a version of myself that achieved “X’, and my drive to become a master at any skill that I am challenged to learn completely excites me to know that I have so much life to live and conquer many more skills. I am on my 5th year of Social Media Coordinating and 2nd year in Public Relations (professionally).
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Debra Price came into my life as a PR Professor at Texas State University sophomore year, little did I know she would become such a big part of my colligate success. After being in her class, she then acted as the Academic Advisor of my team for the Bateman Case Study Competition. During the 8 month duration we worked hand-in hand for many steps of the way and her trust in me to confidently lead my team to our national win pushed me to become a better leader, publicist, student, thinker and learner. Her guidance truly helped me shine as bright as I could’ve.
Additionally, my boss at Gumby’s, Forrest Higdon, and Happy Slice, Jason Carrier and Forrest, have given me the freedom to grow into the professional I am by trusting me to be their brands.
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