The Pivot Playbook: Lessons in Reinvention with Brittany Emond

In this episode of Life’s Next Lesson Plan, I sit down with Brittany Emond, a former student whose career journey has taken her from aspiring magazine journalist to a thriving role in employer branding. Brittany shares her personal story of self-discovery, career pivots, and valuable lessons learned along the way.

Memorable Moments & Lessons Learned:

• Brittany recalls a pivotal moment in high school: choosing between prom and attending a national journalism conference in San Francisco. Inspired by The Hills, she made her own version of "going to Paris"—and never looked back.
• Her early love for magazines was fueled by pop culture icons and films like 13 Going on 30 and Sex and the City, leading her to the University of Missouri to study magazine journalism.
• The excitement of visiting top magazines in NYC transformed into uncertainty as she questioned the future of print journalism, teaching her an invaluable lesson—dreams evolve.

Career Pivots & Growth:

• Initially determined to work at a top magazine, Brittany found herself questioning that path after seeing the rise of digital media and job instability.
• She bravely shifted her focus from magazine journalism to strategic communication, opening doors to advertising, PR, and social media.
• Her decision to intern at a small, women-led company gave her hands-on experience and creative freedom that larger corporations couldn't offer.

Navigating Challenges & Taking Risks:

• From a difficult senior year full of job rejections to landing an internship with Disney, Brittany emphasizes the importance of perseverance and trusting the process.
• She shares the harsh reality of getting a full-time offer at her dream company but realizing she had undervalued herself by not negotiating her salary—an essential lesson for young professionals.
• Moving from Disney to Travel + Leisure Co., and eventually to Sephora, Brittany took calculated risks to accelerate her career, always prioritizing growth over comfort.

Key Takeaways:

• Be open to changing your path—your younger self didn’t have all the information your future self will have.
• Experience at smaller companies can be just as valuable, if not more, than big-name brands.
• Negotiation is key when accepting job offers—know your worth and advocate for yourself.
• Sometimes, making the hardest decision is the right one for your growth.

Follow Brittany:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittanyemond/

Follow SephoraLife on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sephoralife/

Join the Conversation: Do you relate to Brittany’s story? Have you ever had to pivot from a childhood dream to a more fulfilling career path? Share your thoughts in the comments or on social media using #LifesNextLessonPlan.

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