From Public Relations to sales, writing, and brand storytelling, Nathalie is not only a career switcher but a multipassionate individual as well. For her, being able to do something she is passionate about and the freedom to be creative is more important than a big job title.

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Q: Tell us about your current work roles.

I'm currently a sales associate at a zero-waste shop, a freelance wellness writer, and a brand storyteller for nonprofit organizations.

Q: What led you to that career?

I used to work at a Public Relations company, and the longer I stayed the more I knew it wasn't the path for me. I didn't want to place so much importance on my job title, but on my own values. So I took a step back to really focus on what I was passionate about and what I wanted to work on long-term, while having the freedom to work on my own creative projects.

Q: What is your educational background?

I studied Journalism and French at SUNY Oswego and received a Bachelor's Degree.

Q: Did you have any life-changing experiences that led you to what you’re doing today?

I can't think of a specific life-changing experience. I'm always in my head thinking about my next move and what I aspire to be - which is nice, but a little frustrating at times haha.

Q: How has your family and upbringing influenced your career choices?

I'm first-generation American and am one of a few people in my family to graduate college. So naturally I knew I had to get a stable job straight out of college. But my family is different than most immigrant families because they always told me to do something that makes me happy. I think that mixed in with my natural personality pushes me to follow my intuition more than a typical career path.

Q: What are you most proud of accomplishing?

I was very proud of being brave enough to quit my stable job. It really proved to myself that I place so much value on my passions and having freedom over money and a title.

Q: What would you say motivates you most to do what you do?

Being able to help people and work for a larger cause motivates me to do what I do now. The fact that I get to educate customers about sustainable living and eco-friendly products/resources really makes me happy. I get to directly see customer's excitement to live more consciously which can be knowledge they share with their friends and family. As a writer focusing on wellness, I get to share my own experiences and research to help others going through mental barriers they may be facing.

On Making a Career Shift

Q: How did you find the courage to leap from one field to another?

My gut honestly just knew it was time to take a leap. When I have an idea planted in my head, it creeps up A LOT to the point where I need to take action so that the thought doesn't keep consuming me. I'm learning more and more to go with my heart and everything will somehow work out.

When I have an idea planted in my head, it creeps up A LOT to the point where I need to take action so that the thought doesn't keep consuming me.

Q: What has been the greatest challenge for you when it comes to switching careers?

I think the greatest challenge has been training my mind to really take my time to find my next move/project.

Q: What advice do you have for others who want to switch careers?

Don't be afraid to work on different things at once to figure out what you like/don't like.

Q: What’s next for you, what are you looking forward to?

I am actually slowly applying to full-time jobs that really align with what I want my life to look like. I think it's nice that I have a part-time job while working on my own creative projects because I have the time to strategically apply to a few jobs at a time that I know I will love.

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Learn more about and connect with Nathalie at:

Website: nathaliepena.com

Instagram: @natnatpena

From Public Relations to Brand Storytelling: Nathalie Peña