Emily Berk
Communication & Leadership
Class of 2020
How are you enjoying working with multiple clients and different projects?
As a creative, doing the same thing over and over again leaves me uninspired and unmotivated. I love being able to jump around across my various clients, ranging from agencies to small businesses, brands to tech platforms, record labels to meme accounts. In one day I can be developing an AR effect, writing a script for a short-form show, filming a UGC video for a brand, connecting with influencers, managing a social community, and preparing for a commercial shoot for the next day.
Do you have any favorite projects?
While I can’t pick a favorite, I’ve enjoyed growing with the support of the digital marketing team at Arista Records. They were my first client when I started freelancing and I’m still working with them 1.5+ years later. While initially hired for influencer marketing, I am now their go-to for all things Augmented Reality, designing and developing AR effects for their top and upcoming artists. Most recently, I assisted in the virality of Paul Russel’s ‘Lil Boo Thang’ on TikTok.
Why did you study Communication and Leadership?
I’ll admit it, I had no idea what I wanted to do when I graduated college. I did know that I wanted a more interdisciplinary educational experience and I was lucky to be one of the first CLD cohorts in Moody. Enrolling in CLD courses allowed me to enter the communications college and it paired nicely with my Sociology degree, allowing me to graduate in 4 years with two degrees!
Were you in any student orgs?
Alpha Epsilon Phi Sorority- Recruitment and Vice President of Operations
The Guides of Texas- Campus tour guide
Texas Silver Spurs- Sweetheart
And plenty of internships, including the most rewarding one as Social Media & Digital Content Intern with Moody college!
How was your degree helpful to your career?
I was the Creative Lead of an agency before I turned 23, managing a team that comprised people older than I was. Learning leadership skills as well as how to navigate different communication styles truly helped me kick-start my career!
I don’t define success by how much cash I bring in. Being successful for me means, of course bringing in enough revenue to make a living but, most importantly, feeling fulfilled and inspired to get out of bed everyday.
What have you learned so far working remotely and for yourself?
I have learned A LOT.
Working from home doesn’t mean I need to be home. Coffee shops have been a great place to gain inspiration and even to network.
Unless I have scheduled meetings, I don’t need to be working from the strict hours of 9-5. I can take breaks when I want, go on a walk, make lunch, play pickleball, deliver meals on wheels, etc.
I can work on projects that I truly believe in, not just because I am being paid to do so.
I can set goals but I don’t need KPIs (I hated setting KPIs!!)
I shouldn’t under-sell myself. When working with a new client, I can choose the price that I believe is worth my time and expertise. My negotiation skills have increased as well!
What advice do you have for #TEXASMoody students? Especially if they want to start their own business.
My advice would be that you don’t have to subscribe to the 9-5 corporate grind to be successful. That style works for many, but not everyone. I was told by many that I needed to “do my time” in an agency or in-house with a brand before working for myself. But I don’t define success by how much cash I bring in. Being successful for me means, of course bringing in enough revenue to make a living but, most importantly, feeling fulfilled and inspired to get out of bed everyday. Also, you can learn a lot online.
What do you miss most about Moody College?
I can't believe I'm saying this, but I genuinely miss group projects the most. Back in college, I used to dread the hassle of coordinating with the football player, the rower, the sorority girl, and the triple-major to work on a project after hours. However, in hindsight, I realize that these experiences led me to meet some of the most interesting people. Now, whenever I come across one of my former group project members excelling in their career on social media, as cheesy as it may sound, I feel an overwhelming sense of pride for them!
Can you talk about your career path?
I graduated in May of 2020, enough said. Kidding, but if there was a positive to come out of graduating during this unprecedented time it’s that my unprecedented path fits right in. My first full-time job was at a start-up running meme accounts out of my bedroom. I went from Brand Manager, managing our owned media channels, to Creative Manager, overseeing the team that manages the media channels, and eventually Creative Lead, working with renowned brands and record labels, all before I turned 23. To be honest, this left me burnt out, so I left. I thought I never wanted to be in the digital space again so I began substitute teaching and volunteering, while picking up freelance gigs to keep money flowing into my bank account. I realized pretty quickly that teaching was not going to be my path, shoutout to all the teachers out there you deserve the world. Not only were my freelance gigs profitable but I loved the flexibility it gave me to work on multiple projects, and turn down what I didn’t align with or have time for. I told myself that if I picked up one more client I would finally open up an LLC. Well, I picked up more than one new client and have been working for myself ever since!
What classes and professors helped the most?
Dr. JB is a professor I will never forget. Her assignments were always purposeful and engaging. A funny memory I have of her is when she oversaw my experience during the internship course. I interned with Jerry Media in NYC, or better known as one of the first mainstream meme pages F*ckjerry, and some weeks my assignments were quite out there. I remember sending her some of the memes I made, and one time writing about how Tony Hawk visited the office and I was in an uber with him for a skit we were filming. She thought it was totally rad! Also, this internship turned into my first freelance gig as I continued on to do video and meme work for them well after my internship. I never thought back then that I’d be freelancing full time!