One of the best pieces of advice I ever received came after a chance encounter with the head of PR for a big media company. Long story short, we were at a luncheon and he encouraged me to introduce myself to someone who could help further my career in journalism. I then thanked him and asked to keep in touch, he gave me his card. The next day I emailed him and thanked him again (because that’s how you make connections right?) What he emailed me back has been stuck in my head since.

Be bold! Don't be afraid to ask for what you want. The worst thing that could happen is someone says no. And then, so what, keep trying more people until you find a yes. Good luck and let me know if I can help.

“Be Bold!” I have never forgotten that phrase. It’s so simple, yet so powerful. That was one of the driving forces behind my decision to move to New York.

I have been dreaming of New York since middle school and I’ve been talking about moving since my senior year of high school. Not many people believed I would actually do it. So when it all finally become real, everyone thought I had lost my mind.

“Why New York?”
“Why not?”

New Yorkers laugh and agree.

Those outside New York give me a list of all the “bad” things about New York.

“It’s too expensive.”
“It smells.”
“It’s too crowded.”

ETC…

None of that stopped me.

I tell people I moved here because I just graduated and the market for my field is much bigger, aka more opportunities. Which is all true. But the truth is I don’t know what field I want to go into. I came to New York for the most cliche reason, “to find myself.” What better place than New York? What better time than now, a recent college graduate with their whole life ahead of them. There was nothing holding me back in Las Vegas.

So I decided to “be bold” and leave my whole life behind and start a new life in hopes of making it big in whatever I decide I want to do. Now the challenge lies in working up the courage to pursue an “adult” job.

Life is full of challenges, and I know moving to a new city, across the country, not knowing anyone, trying to figure life out is probably one of the toughest ones, but I am ready to take it head on.

I followed a dream of mine and I am now on a journey of self-discovery and to be the best version of myself possible. I hope that if anything comes from this risk, I learn and I grow.