EMBRACING MY NEW SELF WHILE EMPOWERING MY OLD SELF
By: Yashlee Francois, Copywriting Intern, Digitas Health
As I speak to you today as the most current and up-to-date version of myself, the Yashlee from 2016 to summer 2022 still shines through. I can stand here and tell you today that I feel a sense of confidence in myself that has been lacking for years. I don’t mean confidence pertaining to if I’m pretty or if I’m funny to others, but more so regarding my intellect.
The person I am today can firmly say that I am pursuing a career as a writer in the marketing/advertising industry. The interesting thing is that the Yashlee from previous years I mentioned before would be completely bewildered by this. That girl believed she wanted to be an ophthalmologist … then an optometrist … and then a general surgeon … then finally a physician’s assistant. That’s what she prepared for in high school, and that’s what she sought out in her medical diagnostics major during her first two years in college. Clearly, she had big goals but small confidence that it was even achievable for her.
Switching my major from medical diagnostics (pre-PA) to media communications with a minor in English was a big decision for me for more reasons than one. This switch was prompted by a recent experience that provoked feelings from me that I never felt in school before. In my American Literature course, I was frequently tasked with critical analyses and interpretations of texts. Time and time again, I received genuine positive feedback and compliments from my professor on my work, both in and out of class. This filled a void in my heart that I didn’t even know I had at the time. Though I was pursuing science and medicine, I never felt fully competent; this feeling was beginning to become very draining for me. When I had the chance to display my competence, creative intellect, and talent in English/writing spaces, I witnessed a new version of myself come to life. This Yashlee would use her personality to transform her work and create something heart-felt.
As this rebooted and updated Yashlee, I’ve been making an effort every day to build off that experience. Taking different classes that expand my range in writing, seeking advice from others I strive to emulate, and boosting my career by pursing writing-based positions, such as my copywriting internship at Digitas Health, aids me on my voyage into my new personal journey.
This internship has continued to fuel my drive and boost my confidence in what I am capable of. I’m beginning to become less and less afraid of a challenge. I’m becoming comfortable in my ideas and sharing them. Most importantly, I’m realizing how to take a pause and learn from others. I can strongly say that learning is my main priority in these early years of my professional career. The Publicis Groupe, and specifically, the Digitas Health agency has given me many opportunities to learn from others who genuinely want to help me succeed.
I’m beyond elated that I have a place to grow and take matters into my own hands. Interning at an ad agency that serves pharmaceutical clients is exactly what I needed all along. I have found a place to exercise and explore my newfound talent and a place to immerse myself in the medical space that the younger me has longed for. I will cherish my opportunity to embrace my new self while still uplifting my old self at the same time.
