Background:
Brooke Bunce is the Director of Global Social Media & Content Strategy at NARS Cosmetics. She’s a 2014 graduate of Ohio University and earned a degree in journalism with a focus on magazine journalism. During college, Bunce was involved in Thread Magazine where she served as managing editor.
Throughout her career, Bunce worked in various editorial and social media roles, starting as an editorial assistant at Parents Magazine before moving into social media positions at Fuse TV, Coveteur, Alexander Wang, Origins and eventually NARS. She was a Top Performer at NARS, a peer-nominated award that earned her an experiential trip to Paris. She also reached the finals of the Beauty Innovation Contest, representing the Americas at Shiseido’s Global HQ in Tokyo.
Key Takeaways:
- Embrace flexibility in your career: The job market is constantly evolving, and many roles that will exist in the future haven’t even been created yet. It’s okay not to know exactly what you want to do—stay open to new opportunities and industries as your career unfolds.
- Pursue your interests: Don’t limit yourself to classes or experiences that are strictly related to your major. Lean into your passions and explore subjects that excite you. These unrelated skills or interests could become an advantage later in your career.
- Network strategically: When connecting with professionals, especially through platforms like LinkedIn, always consider how you can add value to the conversation. Make your message personal and focus on how you can benefit the person you’re reaching out to.
- Kindness and curiosity go a long way: Being likable and showing genuine curiosity will make people want to work with you. Building good relationships with colleagues and partners can open doors and create opportunities down the line.
- Your first job isn’t your last job: Don’t stress if your first role isn’t your dream job. Every experience is a stepping stone that adds value to your career. It’s about building a foundation and opening doors to better opportunities.
- Keep learning: Learning shouldn’t stop after graduation. Whether through formal education, online classes or simply subscribing to newsletters, staying curious and keeping your skills sharp will make you more valuable. Even small efforts, like learning new software or listening to someone at a conference, can make a significant impact on your career.
Connect with Bunce on LinkedIn here.
Henry Gorsuch is a Journalism Strategic Communications major with a minor in Marketing and can be found on LinkedIn here.