The Edit
THE JOURNAL
A collection of personal stories, experiences, and perspectives on the things that have shaped who I am — from fashion and marketing to athletics, wellness, and life beyond the classroom.
Behind the Scenes of My Summer in Fashion PR
A personal reflection on my summer internship at AZZI+CO in New York City — what I learned about the fashion industry, brand strategy, and professional growth.
Beyond the Gluten-Free Label: Living with Celiac Disease
A personal perspective on navigating life with celiac disease — eating out, traveling, college life — and how it inspired my CLEARLY Coffee product concept.
From the Ice to the Business World
A reflection on 10 years of competitive ice hockey, serving as team captain, and how athletics shaped my leadership, discipline, teamwork, and approach to business.
FASHION · PR · NEW YORK CITY
Behind the Scenes of My Summer in Fashion PR
What my summer in New York City taught me about fashion, marketing, and finding my place in the industry.
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I've always been interested in fashion, but what excites me most is everything that happens behind the scenes. From the way brands develop their identities to how they connect with consumers, I've always been curious about the strategy behind the products and campaigns we see every day. This past summer, I had the opportunity to explore that interest firsthand while interning at AZZI+CO, a fashion public relations agency in New York City.
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As a marketing student at the University of Miami, I was excited to take what I'd been learning in the classroom and apply it to a real professional environment. I knew I wanted to gain experience in fashion, but I wasn't entirely sure what working in the industry would look like. My internship helped me understand the different sides of marketing and discover what interests me most.
A Look Behind the Scenes
One of the biggest things I learned was how much work goes into building and maintaining a brand's image. Before a product appears in a magazine, on a celebrity, or across social media, there are countless decisions happening behind the scenes.
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Throughout my internship, I worked on projects involving brand research, stylist outreach, influencer research, sample coordination, and event planning. Each responsibility gave me a different perspective on how brands connect with their audiences.
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Something that surprised me was how interconnected everything was. A task as simple as organizing a sample request or researching a stylist could contribute to a much larger marketing effort. I started to understand that successful branding isn't just about having a great product. It's also about knowing how to position it, who to connect with, and how to communicate the right message.
The Importance of Details
If there's one thing I took away from my internship, it's that the smallest details can make a big difference.
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Whether I was updating inventory spreadsheets, coordinating clothing shipments, researching influencers, or helping with event preparations, I learned the importance of staying organized and paying attention
to details.
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Fashion is an industry where timing, presentation, and relationships matter. I gained a new appreciation for the operational side of marketing and realized that even the most creative ideas require organization and careful execution.
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I also learned how important it is to communicate clearly, manage multiple responsibilities, and adapt when priorities change. These are skills that I know will be valuable regardless of where my career
takes me.
Exploring Brand Strategy
One of my favorite projects was developing a brand playbook for Alexandre Birman, a luxury footwear brand.
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For this project, I researched celebrity stylists, influencers, potential collaborations, and creative storytelling opportunities that aligned with the brand's identity.
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I especially enjoyed thinking about how different partnerships could help a brand reach its target audience while maintaining its image. Rather than simply looking at a product from a consumer's perspective, I had to consider the brand's positioning, audience, and overall marketing strategy.
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This project reminded me why I chose to study marketing. I love the combination of research, creativity, and problem-solving that goes into developing a brand.
Finding My Interests
Before this summer, much of my understanding of the fashion industry came from social media, advertising, and the brands I personally followed. Working at AZZI+CO showed me how much happens beyond what consumers see.
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I realized that fashion marketing involves much more than trends and aesthetics. It requires understanding audiences, building relationships, identifying opportunities, and making strategic decisions.
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I also discovered how much I enjoy projects that combine analytical and creative thinking. Researching audiences and organizing information can be just as interesting to me as creating presentations and brainstorming campaign ideas.
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This experience helped me recognize that my interests extend beyond public relations into areas like brand strategy, creative marketing, and brand development.
Looking Ahead
Looking back, my summer at AZZI+CO was valuable not only because of the professional experience I gained, but also because of what I learned about myself.
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I became more comfortable working in a professional environment, taking initiative, and contributing to projects involving real brands. Most importantly, the experience gave me a clearer understanding of what I want from my future career.
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As I continue studying marketing at the University of Miami, I'm excited to build on everything I learned this summer. I still have a lot to explore, but I know I want to pursue opportunities that allow me to combine creativity, strategy, and my interest in fashion and consumer brands.
What started as a summer internship became an important step in figuring out where I see myself in the marketing industry, and I'm excited to see where those interests take me next.
WELLNESS · LIFESTYLE · PERSONAL
Beyond the Gluten-Free Label: Living with Celiac Disease
How living with celiac disease has changed my perspective on food, everyday life, and creativity.
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For most people, eating is something they don't have to think twice about. Going out to dinner, grabbing a coffee with friends, or picking up something quick between classes is just part of everyday life. For me, these simple situations require a little more thought.
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Living with celiac disease has completely changed the way I approach food and many everyday experiences. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition where consuming gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, triggers an immune response that damages the small intestine. Unlike someone who chooses to eat gluten-free as a preference, I have to avoid gluten for
medical reasons.
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While being gluten-free has become more popular, I think there's still a lot of misunderstanding about what living with celiac disease actually involves. It's not just about choosing different foods. It's about constantly being aware of ingredients, preparation methods, and whether something is truly safe to eat.
Eating Out Isn't Always Simple
One of the biggest challenges of having celiac disease is eating at restaurants. What used to be a simple decision about what sounded good now involves researching menus, asking questions, and making sure food is prepared safely.
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Something labeled "gluten-free" doesn't always mean it's safe for someone with celiac disease. Cross-contact can happen when gluten-free food comes into contact with gluten through shared cooking equipment, utensils, or preparation surfaces.
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This can make dining out frustrating, especially when a restaurant offers gluten-free options but doesn't fully understand the precautions necessary for someone with celiac disease.
I've learned to speak up, ask detailed questions, and sometimes choose not to eat somewhere if I'm unsure. It can feel repetitive explaining the same thing over and over, but I've realized how important it is to advocate
for myself.
Navigating College and Traveling
Being a college student adds another layer to managing celiac disease. Between classes, social plans, and busy schedules, convenience is important. Unfortunately, finding safe food isn't always convenient.
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There are times when my friends can grab something quickly while I have to think about whether there will be anything I can eat. Even something as simple as ordering takeout can require extra research.
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Traveling presents similar challenges. Whether I'm visiting a new city or going somewhere with friends, I usually have to look into restaurants and food options ahead of time.
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Although this extra planning can be frustrating, it has also taught me to be more organized, adaptable, and prepared. I've learned that having celiac disease doesn't mean missing out on experiences, but it sometimes means approaching them differently.
More Than Just a Food Label
One thing I wish more people understood is that being gluten-free isn't always a lifestyle choice.
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For someone with celiac disease, even a small amount of gluten can cause a reaction. It's not something I can make an exception for just because a food looks good or because I'm at a special event.
I think the growing popularity of gluten-free products has been helpful in creating more options, but it can also lead people to underestimate how serious the condition is.
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What matters most to me isn't simply seeing the words "gluten-free" on a menu. It's knowing that a restaurant or brand understands what those words mean and takes the necessary steps to make its products safe.
Turning a Personal Experience Into a Creative Idea
Interestingly, living with celiac disease has also influenced the way I think about marketing and product development.
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As a marketing student, I'm interested in how brands identify consumer needs and create products that solve everyday problems. My own experiences made me realize how important it is for brands to consider people with dietary restrictions.
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This perspective inspired me to develop CLEARLY Coffee, a product concept influenced by my experience navigating food choices with celiac disease.
I wanted to explore how a coffee product could prioritize convenience, transparency, and inclusivity while still having a strong brand identity.
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Creating this concept allowed me to combine something personal with my interest in branding and consumer behavior. It reminded me that some of the best creative ideas can come from recognizing challenges in everyday life.
What I've Learned
Although living with celiac disease comes with challenges, it has also changed my perspective in ways I didn't expect.
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I've become more aware of the importance of asking questions, advocating for myself, and being prepared. It's also made me more appreciative of businesses that genuinely consider the needs of their customers.
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Most importantly, it's taught me that everyone's everyday experiences are different, even when those differences aren't immediately visible.
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For me, celiac disease is more than a dietary restriction. It's something that has shaped my routines, my perspective, and even my creativity. While I wouldn't necessarily have chosen these challenges, they've helped me approach situations with more awareness and inspired me to think differently about the products and brands we interact with every day.
ATHLETICS & LEADERSHIP
From the Ice to the Business World
How ten years of competitive hockey shaped my approach to leadership, teamwork, and life beyond sports.
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For ten years, the ice rink was one of the places where I felt most like myself. Before I started studying marketing at the University of Miami or thinking about my future career, I was learning lessons through hockey that I still carry with me today. What started as a sport became a huge part of my life, shaping my work ethic, friendships, and the way I
approach challenges.
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Growing up playing competitive ice hockey taught me much more than how to skate or score goals. It taught me discipline, teamwork, accountability, and how to handle pressure. Looking back, I realize that many of the qualities I developed as an athlete are the same ones I now rely on as a student and aspiring marketing professional.
Growing Up on the Ice
Hockey was a major part of my life throughout childhood and high school. Between early morning practices, weekend tournaments, long car rides, and countless hours at the rink, the sport required a level of commitment that became second nature to me.
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Balancing hockey with school, other activities, and my personal life wasn't always easy. There were plenty of times when I had to make sacrifices, manage my time carefully, and push myself even when I was tired.
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However, those experiences taught me that achieving something meaningful takes consistency. Success doesn't happen overnight, and improvement often comes from showing up and putting in the work when no one is watching.
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That mindset has stayed with me, especially as I've taken on more responsibilities in college.
Learning to Lead
One of the most meaningful experiences of my athletic career was becoming captain of my high school hockey team. I also had the opportunity to captain my lacrosse team, which helped me develop my leadership skills in different team environments.
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Being a captain taught me that leadership is about much more than having a title. It's about setting an example, supporting teammates, and knowing how to bring people together.
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Every teammate has a different personality, motivation, and way of responding to challenges. I learned that being a good leader means understanding those differences and finding ways to help everyone work toward a common goal.
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Sometimes that meant encouraging someone after a difficult game. Other times, it meant holding myself and my teammates accountable.
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These experiences helped me become more confident in communicating with others, taking initiative, and working through challenges as part of a team.
The Value of Teamwork
One of my proudest athletic memories was winning a state championship with my high school hockey team.
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While winning was an incredible feeling, what made the experience meaningful was everything that went into it. A championship isn't the result of one player having a great game. It's the result of an entire team working together, trusting one another, and staying committed to a shared goal.
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Hockey taught me that everyone contributes differently. Some players score goals, others make defensive plays, and others bring energy and encouragement to the team. Every
role matters.
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I've carried that perspective into group projects, internships, and other professional experiences. I understand that successful teamwork requires communication, reliability, and recognizing the value that different people bring.
Handling Pressure and Setbacks
Competitive sports also taught me how to respond when things don't go as planned.
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Not every game ends in a win, and not every practice goes perfectly. There were frustrating losses, difficult moments, and times when I had to work harder to improve.
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Over time, I learned that setbacks are part of the process. Instead of focusing only on what went wrong, I became better at identifying what I could improve and moving forward.
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That ability to adapt has been especially valuable in college. Whether I'm preparing for an exam, presenting a project, or navigating a new professional experience, I try to approach challenges with the same determination I developed through hockey.
From Athletics to Marketing
Although hockey and marketing might seem like completely different worlds, I've realized they have more in common than I originally thought.
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Both require strategy, communication, creativity, and teamwork. In hockey, you're constantly analyzing situations, anticipating what might happen next, and adjusting your approach. In marketing, those same skills can help you understand audiences, develop ideas, and
solve problems.
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My athletic background has also influenced my interest in sports marketing. Having spent so much of my life as an athlete, I understand the emotional connection people have with sports and the communities built around them.
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I find it exciting to think about how brands can create those same meaningful connections with their audiences.
Looking Ahead
Even though competitive hockey is no longer the center of my daily routine, the lessons I learned from it continue to influence who I am.
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The discipline, confidence, and leadership skills I developed on the ice have helped me navigate college, internships, and new opportunities.
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Hockey will always be an important part of my story. It taught me how to work toward something bigger than myself, how to support the people around me, and how to keep going when things get difficult.
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As I continue pursuing a career in marketing, I know that the mindset I developed as an athlete will remain one of my greatest strengths.