Erin Moriarty-Siler was born a writer. Her penchant for creative communication led one elementary school teacher to call her “a tyrant who can write.” This passion has led her to roles in the nonprofit, media, and tech industries as a communications strategist, editor and storyteller. She currently serves as the Director of Communications at the Bell Policy Center, seeking the best way to meet people where they are. A few of her favorite things: breaking news, Oxford commas and proving people wrong.
Download and tune in to my conversation with Erin as she shares her experience hustling, applying to over 400 jobs, to finally discovering her passion career on the Find Your Passion Career podcast!
Erin always assumed she was going to be a journalist. She dreamed of one day being a writer for iconic publications like Rolling Stone or The Washington Post. She bought a subscription to Rolling Stone at the age of 12.
Unfortunately, achieving what Erin dubbed “The Rolling Stone Dream” right out of college wasn’t as realistic as she had hoped.
“These things I had dreamed of for so long weren’t necessarily in my reach,” said Erin.
This realization felt both devastating and humbling at the same time.
The Hustle is Real
We all know the feeling of applying to a handful of jobs only to be rejected from all of them. In Erin’s case, she applied to 400 jobs. She even wrote about her experience while as an editor at College Magazine back in 2012.
But, it wasn’t endless researching online that gave Erin her big break, it was real human connection. Her first yes came when the mom she nannied for told her about a friend of hers that was looking for a project assistant. The position was for the Center for Western Priorities, a non-profit focused on protecting land, water and communities in the American West.
“If you want the job, if you want something, care enough about it to show up the way you want to show up if you get it,” said Erin.
That’s exactly what Erin did. She researched the company and the person interviewing her and showed up prepared. Erin explained how much she wanted to pursue the career path, and made her case to be given a chance.
She attributes getting that first job to making a meaningful connection with someone.
Coming in With Big Ideas
When it comes to her career growth, Erin went into each interview showing how her knowledge (even if it was from a different industry) was transferable and how much value she had to offer. She would even point out specific areas where she knew she could help the organization grow.
“Go as far as possible and dazzle them with how much research you’ve done, how much you care and how what you bring is unique to all of what they need,” said Erin.
Today as the Director of Communications for The Bell Policy Center, Erin works to ensure every Coloradan has economic mobility. Erin is able to connect with her community through her storytelling, gaining the press’s attention about key issues. One of her main tasks is messaging important legislative bills and ballot measures that are partial to all Coloradan citizens.
“I really like being able to know that the work I do is influencing someone somewhere,” said Erin. In order to achieve this, Erin comes in with big ideas. She didn’t just note a problem, she sees past that and explains a solution.
Failure, according to Erin, is all part of the journey. “Let’s fail forward at the least,” said Erin.
When it comes to finding her passion career, Erin knows a thing or two about pivoting. But, she explains that she’s enjoyed figuring out what she’s good at. “Jobs don’t define us, but the things we’re passionate about do,” said Erin.
Take a note from what Erin’s saying and hustle like she did. Today, start speaking your passion to just one person outside of your comfort zone (professors, advisors, friend of a friend, someone’s parent) and see what happens. You may find that they’ll want to connect you to an opportunity!
Remember: When you speak your passion, doors open.
Download our podcast interview with Erin!
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