For the past four years, I’ve been living in the heart of Los Angeles. I am not, however, native to the West Coast. I was born and raised in Southeast Georgia, on a tiny barrier island off the coast known as St. Simons Island. I spent the first 18 years of my life in this cozy beach town, where everyone knows everyone and genuine Southern hospitality is the norm.

Growing up, my parents instilled in me the value of hard work, and work I did. I worked hard enough to earn myself a full merit scholarship to the University of Southern California. In the fall of 2005, I left the leisurely island life behind, bright lights and big city bound. I studied communication and international relations in school, graduating Summa Cum Laude this past May. USC was the perfect place for me to spend my undergraduate years--I received a top-notch education among a dynamic student body, I made some lifelong friends by joining a sorority, I was presented with amazing cultural experiences and opportunities for professional development and, of course, I got to enjoy a little Trojan football in the process.

Living in and exploring Los Angeles--and taking quick weekend trips to many other amazing cities on the West Coast--has made me addicted to the hustle and bustle of a big metropolis… so much so that I want to try and conquer another big city, and soon. I’m in the midst of a post-graduate public relations internship, working in Marketing and Brand Strategy at GolinHarris in downtown LA. In the next few years, though, I’d like to make my way back across the US and relocate to Chicago or New York--somewhere really high energy. I know it’ll probably take some hard work, but I’m always up for a good challenge.