Today’s Notable Young Professional is public relations pro Graziella Fadel, who launched her career on the back of a reality TV show obsession and has turned her passion into her dream job. Read on to find out about her challenges, milestones, and where she sees herself in five years…
Elevator Pitch: Describe your job in a nutshell.
I’m a public relations coordinator at Duet PR. On a typical day you’ll find me pitching our clients to different media outlets to get their amazing brands recognized, posting to our clients’ social media accounts, and researching to come up with new ways to get our clients recognized.
Why did you start working at your company? What was the inspiration for this career route?
I’m a bit of a reality TV show junkie so I grew up watching The Hills and The City and obsessed over Lauren and Whitney’s jobs instead of the actual drama. From there I started researching more about PR and realized it had all the elements that I love. I studied public relations and corporate communications after completing my BA and went into Duet PR to interview for an internship. The second I saw “Death Before Decaf” on the wall, I knew this was where I needed to start my PR journey.
What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis? The most challenging part?
The best part of my job is having two female entrepreneurs as bosses and mentors – I couldn’t ask for a better motivation to succeed. Also: Champagne Fridays are a ritual!
The most challenging part would be MULTITASKING! Working with multiple clients at a time can be challenging and having to decide which task is a priority without falling behind on other tasks.
What is one sign that you’ve seen over the years to suggest that your work/life balance is off?
When I’m really busy I tend to just skip my lunch break and work through it or quickly eat something at my desk while I’m working. My New Year’s resolution was to stop doing that so I started going to BarreWorks on my lunch hour as much as I can, which I actually found improved my work and made me avoid going for that second (or third) coffee.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Moved in to a great condo downtown! Career-wise, I would like to see myself being the lead on more accounts at Duet PR.
What is one major challenge that you’ve had to overcome in your career? How did you overcome it?
Being an English and French major I basically thought my best career option would be to become a teacher. I applied to teachers’ college with great grades, great references, and plenty of volunteer hours and got rejected from every school I applied to. I was crushed because I graduated from this great university and had no clue where to go from there, but I was also happy because deep down I knew teaching wasn’t for me.
I took the year off to work and researched post grad programs and immediately fell in love with Centennial College’s PR program. My biggest failure ended up being my biggest accomplishment thus far because it led me to this great career.
What does success look like to you? Does Money = Happiness?
I’ve always said I would rather work somewhere that makes me happy than somewhere where I’m making lots of money. Obviously money’s a great perk to have, but if you’re making lots of money and dread going to work every day, what’s the point?
Success to me is seeing how proud my parents are of my accomplishments. My parents left their country to provide more for my brother and I, and my goal is to one day be able to take care of them.
What is the most memorable milestone in your career?
Being the first official hire at Duet PR. I started as an intern, moved on to be an assistant and am now a coordinator only 8 months after graduation.
Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
Don’t be afraid to start from the bottom and don’t be above any task.
Where is your favourite place to wine/dine in your city and why?
Cibo and Gusto are walking distance from the office and I crave their pizzas at least once a week.
When you’re not working how do you love to spend your “Me” time?
Catching up on all my favourite reality TV shows (aka The Bachelor) and spending time with my family.
Where is your favourite place to travel? Why?
I’m half Lebanese and half Egyptian so I always love visiting my family back home! I’ve also always had a love affair with Italy and hope to cross all of Italy off my travel bucket list. My favourite place in Italy has got to be Capri – it’s so beautiful you could cry (which I did when I first got there).
If you had to choose a theme song, what would it be?
Survivor by Destiny’s Child.
If you weren’t doing what you’re doing, what would you be doing?
That’s tough because I feel like I’m exactly where I belong. In my wildest dreams, a ballerina.
Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is that important to you?
At Duet PR, we work very closely with motionball and it’s one of my favourite clients to work with because you get to interact with Special Olympics athletes who are just incredible. I’ve also worked with the Movember Foundation during my post grad and hosted a fundraiser with my classmates, since then I’ve been a proud Mo Sista.
What to you is notable?
Loyalty and honesty is hard to come by these days so that to me is notable.
Blackberry, iPhone, Android, or Other?
iPhone!
