For my career thus far, I have been a utility player, a jack-of-all-trades. And honestly? I’m grateful for it.

After graduating from college during the height of the pandemic, I stepped into a fast-paced startup environment, eager to make my mark and find my niche.

Quickly, I became more than just my title, and my roles shifted during my time at my first post-grad job. At one point or another, I was a community manager, a photographer, a videographer, a digital ads creator, an editor, a web content writer, a blog creator, an SEO strategist, a direct messaging marketer, an affiliate marketing specialist, a content strategist, a leadership team member, and yes, a social media strategist.

Juggling Sharpened my Coordination

Wearing so many hats taught me how to think holistically. I learned how to connect the dots, anticipate a client’s needs, and stretch my creative muscles in a way that someone in a single role wouldn’t necessarily have the opportunity to do. It made me scrappy and adaptive, and it made me appreciate every single step of the creative process.

Juggling all those roles wasn’t easy, but it was the best crash course I could’ve asked for. And it made me realize one thing – I love social media strategy.

ruckus: A Chance to Refocus

Enter ruckus – a team where I get to refocus on my passion for social media strategy. For the first time in my career, I am pouring my energy into one area of expertise, and it’s already changing the way I work. Now I feel like I am not just executing, I’m elevating.

I used to fear that narrowing my focus would feel limiting, but in reality, it’s been empowering. All the years I spent as a generalist set the foundation for the strategist I am today, but now, I get to concentrate on what I love to do, what I’m passionate about and what I’m good at.

The Best of Both Worlds

The best part? I still collaborate across disciplines and have the privilege of working with amazing creatives, account executives and clients. But instead of doing a bit of everything, I get to bring my full strength to the table. That shift hasn’t just helped me find more balance in life, it’s also helped me feel like I’m really making a difference. I think that’s something we all want: to show up as our full selves, do work that matters and grow with others along the way.

Written by Alexandra Halbert, Social Media Strategist

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