Today we’d like to introduce you to Paulina Perez.
Hi Paulina, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
A little over a year ago, I started posting content about my daily life as a student at the University of Texas at Austin on TikTok, which quickly turned into a passion project and the most incredible side hustle. At the time, I was doing two internships + had a weekend job at Sweetgreen, so TikTok served as an escape from school and work. I always knew I wanted to have a presence on social media, so I took time to study the algorithm, researched ways to succeed on the platform, and put together a list of attributes that made me unique within those being that I was raised in a border town and am fluent in both English and Spanish. Soon after deciding my broad niche, I started answering all the questions I had before coming to the University of Texas at Austin to make sure Mexican-identified individuals didn’t run into the same issues I did, such as how to make friends, what organizations to join, how to look for internships, etc. which were extremely fulfilling. I graduated with a degree in public relations and a minor in media and entertainment because I consider myself a good storyteller/communicator and enjoy writing. My degree has helped many components: my social media career and my current position as an assistant account executive at an f&B and travel PR agency. Once I graduated, I intensely feared that my content on social media wouldn’t be appealing or relatable since I wasn’t a student anymore. Although my content shifted greatly from my time as a student to now, the overarching theme of being a Mexican American navigating life in her 20s remains. I’m so grateful I didn’t stop posting, and I am proud of the community of over 45,000 like-minded individuals I’ve built.
Ultimately, the goal will always be to share bits of my life that can benefit someone, whether an idea, thought, or emotion. I want to help the overlooked Mexican American community and be a voice for everyone who’s struggled with their identity.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s been anything but smooth. One of the biggest struggles has been rejection. I’ve encountered too many rejections even to keep count of. We’ll start from the top. When I was in high school, I dreamed of going to the McCombs School of Business and studying marketing. I got rejected from there not once, not twice, but three times. I came into UT as an undeclared major, so I took advantage of my first year in college and everything UT had to offer. I took nursing, biology, public health, and writing classes, which is when I stumbled upon public relations. In my junior year, I nailed down a few internships I was extremely interested in, but again I was aiming for the stars. These internships were extremely competitive, but either way, I was confident in my ability to get them. I applied and constantly got rejected until my final semester, where I secured my dream internship which I had gotten rejected for multiple times before. Had it not been for all these rejections, I would’ve never started posting on social media. My studies in public relations and internship experiences contributed so much value to my content, and I wouldn’t change it for the world. Looking back, I’m so grateful for all of these obstacles because they paved the way to where I am in my career today. A quick reminder that rejection is just redirection!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a social media content creator sharing the ups and downs of navigating life through your 20s while having a severe existential crisis caught up between two cultures: Mexican and American. Sharing content in both English and Spanish, I specialize in lifestyle, fashion, beauty, and wellness content. I also occasionally post my Austin recommendations for those looking to visit. I work a 9 – 5 at an incredible f&b + travel PR agency, which I think goes hand in hand with my social media work.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
COVID-19 altered the way I view life and work. I’ve been much more aware of how fortunate I am to wake up every day and do what I love.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pauulinaperez/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauulinaperez/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@pauulinaperez
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@pauulinaperez
