Have you struggled to find out what it takes to launch into the real world after college? Have you considered a job in Social Media Management? Look no further, because Miriam Bribiesca’s path from college to her current job may ease your mind.
From diving head-first into her campus organization to cultivating strong relationships with her bosses and staying true to her passions, Miriam was able to thrive in college and continues to do so in her career. Miriam utilizes her keen eye and creative freedom to her advantage, and it keeps her on her toes in a fascinating area of work. Below, she shares some insight into her role as a Social Media Manager and Production Assistant for Youtuber Shameless Maya and how she managed to get to where she is today.
Her Campus: What is your major and graduation year from UCLA?
Miriam Bribiesca: I graduated from UCLA in 2017 with a degree in Communication and Media studies with a minor in English.
HC: What were you involved in as an undergraduate student? Did you gain any valuable knowledge that has helped you today?
MB: As an undergraduate, I was heavily involved in the Daily Bruin. While I also participated in other clubs and activities, I joined the Daily Bruin as a freshman and contributed to the newspaper all four years at UCLA. I started as a contributor and eventually built my way up to photo editor. Although I was in charge of 20+ contributors and daily print as an assistant photo editor, I made sure to use my free time to write features on the Westwood community and even managed to squeeze in an investigative two-part series with two of my other colleagues. One of the most valuable lessons I learned while at the Daily Bruin was my potential for growth which often came from doing something that excited me but also terrified me.
HC: Explain your internship at Daily Look and the most important thing you learned.
MB: As a social media marketing intern at Daily Look, I focused a lot on what it meant to create a positive experience for customers both on and off social media. A recurring question was, “How can we, as a company, make sure a customer is satisfied with our service and the quality of our products so they can keep coming back again and again?” With this question in mind, I proceeded to collect feedback from customers and solved problems to ensure their experience was positive. Aside from assisting in the creation of social media strategies, I also assisted in creating lookbooks, content for socials, and engaging with customers. The main takeaway from this internship was that genuine engagement and attractive visuals are extremely important when it comes to translating followers into customers and supporters of the brand.
HC: How have you integrated your passion for photography into your career and life?
MB: Our phones are now an extension of our being, and as such, we have become visual beings. The first thing we see for any product is the image created by a company and more often than not, it is not the price of the item but the way a product is presented to us that matters. I’ve managed to incorporate photography into my career because I understand how visuals can make or break a brand. While this is not always the case, understanding the importance of having strong visuals creates a new perspective of how photography can effectively help in telling a brand’s story. Hence, even if I am not the one behind the camera, I have the eye to identify what may or may not look appealing for the brand.
HC: What do you do as a Social Media Manager and Production Assistant for Shameless Maya?
MB: Working for an influencer comes with a lot of tasks, which is why this job is the right fit for me. I love doing multiple jobs because I am able to develop different skills. For example, on a typical day, I can take photos, create social media strategies, edit videos for Youtube or Instagram, and assist behind the camera. Overall, however, my main focus is on managing and creating social media strategies for Shameless Maya. This encompasses creating pitches, daily content for both video and still imagery, and ensuring all social channels are up to date and engaging with the audience.
HC: How did you become aware of your current job? What about the job was appealing to you?
MB: It’s crazy to say this now, but a lot of the jobs I currently have are because of the internships I was apart of when I was at UCLA. Although my internship didn’t immediately translate into the jobs I currently have, I created strong relationships with my bosses and demonstrated that I was there to do my best job possible. By the time the internship was over, they knew my work ethic and trusted that if they hired me to be part of their team, I would continue to produce the same quality of work I did when I interned for them.
What is appealing to me is the creative freedom I am granted when working. Of course, there are certain guidelines I must follow, but there are unlimited possibilities of the final outcome which is what makes every day different and exciting. One day I could be helping out behind the scenes for an ad campaign, the next I can be creating content for socials behind my computer.
HC: What has been the most rewarding part of your job, and what are some challenges you have faced?
MB: The most rewarding part of my job as I had mentioned is the creative freedom I am given. I truly enjoy working with my hands and creating concepts from thin air. It is exciting and truly rewarding when a concept you’ve worked on is used to represent a brand. When it comes to challenges, as an artist and a creator, there are times when I feel stagnant. Whenever this happens, I try to take a break from the task (if possible) and tackle it from a different angle. For me, it is all about perspective, so I always make sure to expose myself to new work to keep me inspired.
HC: What advice do you wish you had received as an undergraduate student?
MB: As an undergraduate, one piece of advice I wish I received would have been to stop making decisions out of a scarcity mindset. A rich existence is defined by the value we create with our time rather than by the things we own. When you allow yourself to be lost, to feel like a failure, and even to make mistakes, there’s no way you won’t find what is right for you. After all, challenges are just a signifier that growth is coming if you see it through.
A huge thank you to Miriam Bribiesca for sharing this invaluable advice!
As college students, it’s important to combine ambition with hard work and passion in whatever it is you decide to do. Miriam’s artistic eye has enabled her to create a clear visual for her life, allowing her the creative freedom she desires in such an interesting field. Regardless of the challenges you may face, there’s nothing stopping you from doing the same!