Shannon Elkins, originally from Flower Mound, TX, moved to Denton in 2015 when she transferred to UNT from North Lake Community College, where she majored in Integrative Studies focusing on Business, Journalism and Communications with a minor in Marketing.
“I didn’t know what I wanted to do when I transferred to UNT, but my first semester I was taking a Journalism course called “Strategic Social Media” and that was when I realized I wanted to go into marketing,” said Elkins. “I am passionate about my studies because I know that a career where I can use my creative talents and writing is what I am meant to do. I believe you know you have discovered the right degree plan when you can answer this question and be excited about your future.”
Since graduating in December 2017, she started working as an Office Support Associate for the Communications Studies Department right here at UNT.
“My job involves a lot of different responsibilities such as marketing, social media, maintaining the website and other administrative tasks. I also teach dance part time and freelance as a performer.”
Besides her full-time job, Elkins also is a blogger. While she started writing in elementary school, she discovered blogging later when she started studying at UNT while internsing with the marketing agency, Culture-Hype. It was there she learned how to write blog posts and press releases.
“Over the last few years I decided that I did want to pursue blogging, and I even came up with a name for how I wanted to brand myself,” said Elkins. “The journey to getting into blogging has been a slow process but that is a positive thing because I have taken the time to learn from professionals in the industry, grow as a woman and most importantly discover my voice. I’ve always loved inspiring and encouraging others which is what I want to achiever as a writer. I decided on the name “Sincerely Shannon” because I think it describes me as a whole and I want everything I write to be sincere and from my heart.”
Since she is a full-time employee at UNT, she sometimes struggles to find the time to commit to her blog.
“I thought that after graduating I would have all the free time to work on my blog, but learning to balance a full time job with growing a blog has been an adjustment,” said Elkins. The hardest aspect of creating balance in my life is overcoming exhaustion. I am a motivated person which means I love opportunities, but it’s hard to overcome being overwhelmed when I forget to give myself a break. I’m still learning how to balance my time between my responsibilities and passions but I embrace it because it’s all part of the journey.”
As for advice to anyone that is wanting to start their own blog, she says that the most important aspect is believing in yourself.
“The most difficult part of starting a blog is deciding what you want to write about and how you want to brand yourself,” said Elkins “The best way to figure those things out is to do some soul searching and always stay true to yourself. If you try to become who you think everyone else wants you to be then that will show in your work and the passion won’t be there.”
She also says that it takes time and patience to build your ideal blog, and you have to put your passions first.
“Just focus on yourself and what you want to offer the world and your blog will come together naturally,” said Elkins. “You will engage more readers by being yourself and being confident in who you are.”
If you want to follow Shannon on her blogging journey, you can find her blog at www.shannonelkins.me or follow her on Instagram @shannonrachele.