Today we’d like to introduce you to Jocelyn Sandoval.
Hi Jocelyn, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Growing up in the U.S. as a daughter of Mexican parents who never got the opportunity to pursue their education, I always knew that I would go to college and get a degree, but when the time rolled around and I had no clue what to study, it took many conversations with myself, advisors and friends and family to come to a decision that felt like the best fit. In the meantime I decided to complete my basic courses and got my associates degree from Palo Alto College, Upon that graduation I chose to study communications at the University of Texas A&M – San Antonio, because at the time I wanted to pursue a career as a book editor upon graduation. I also knew that the communications program would allow me to gain knowledge and experience in a variety of skills that were applicable to other industries incase I changed my mind. At TAMU-SA I was introduced to the school magazine El Espejo and I became Co-Editor in Chief and worked on magazine staff throughout my time there. My junior year I got the opportunity to attend a presentation by Bianca Peralta who worked at Sammis|Ochoa and she shared with us a bit about the world of PR and her role as Account Manager at S|O. I was excited to learn from her, but her career seemed a bit unobtainable for an introverted writer like myself. Then in my senior year, as I was looking for internship opportunities a slot opened up at Sammis|Ochoa and they came to my school once more to share about the opportunity. I had a skewed view of what PR was and I was hesitant to apply, but I really needed the credit to graduate so I submitted my resume and a few short interviews later I was on the team as an intern.
Sammis|Ochoa really took me under their wing and taught me all that I know about PR. I got hands on experience and the team was very patient with me and did their best to guide me and answer any doubts. After extending what was originally meant to be a summer long internship, I was offered a part time job as Account Coordinator and then shortly after got a full-time offer. I just celebrated my three year anniversary with S|O and I can say that I am proud of how far I’ve come in the world of PR. While I know I have a lot to learn, and even though I am still an introvert through and through, I’ve slowly found my confidence and no longer feel like the world of PR isn’t accessible for introverts like me. I’ve had the opportunity to apply my expertise to a wide-variety of fields as well as meet and build relationship so many amazing people which is the most rewarding part.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’ve been lucky enough to have been blessed with a great support system for when life decides to throw curve balls, so I can’t complain too much, but as I am sure many first generation Americans can relate, learning to navigate the world can be a bit different for us because we have very limited guidance or role models who can help us navigate through spaces where our peers feel comfortable in. As the first in my family to ever graduate or even attend university, getting there and being successful in that environment was a journey on its own. I had no one to help navigate me through school applications, financial aid, course load management. All these things were completely new to me and my family, and we didn’t even know where to begin to ask for help. Luckily I had a great high school teacher Mrs. Rice who helped me find the tools and I needed and pushed me to keep pursuing my dream of being a first generation graduate even through times I was ready to give up.
Once I made it to university, I worked as hard as I could to be as successful as I could be. I juggled a 16hr class load and my role as Co-Editor in Chief of the school magazine while working 30+ hours weekly at a local Subway in order to pay for my tuition. It’s safe to say I was a busy and tired on a regular basis, but I’d say it was worth it, and It also equipped me for a career in PR where deadlines come fast and task even faster.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am currently an Account Coordinator at Sammis|Ochoa a Public Relations and Digital Marketing firm located in the Southtown Area of San Antonio, Texas. I work day to day with a variety of clients, from haunted houses, restaurants, hospitality, entertainment/arts, to affordable housing, urban development, and financial institutions, which keeps me on my toes. On my team I typically lead media and community outreach initiatives. My favorite are putting together community events, because it is so rewarding to see our visions come to life and be able to interact with our audience directly. These events are always a tangible reminder of the positive difference we are hoping to make in our community.
I thinks that approaching everything I do with my most authentic self and with the knowledge that every person can bring value to your life no matter the interaction, is what has allowed me to grow as much as I have in the last couple of years as a PR professional. Beyond seeing our clients, audiences and media members as their titles, I see them as real people whose lives I get to touch and even for a short while, and I want that experience to be as positive as it can be.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I’m all about connections! I firmly believe that learning is a lifelong journey, and one of the richest sources of knowledge comes from the people we meet. I thrive on engaging with new individuals, drawing insights from their experiences, and forging meaningful relationships. For me, each new connection is an opportunity to expand my understanding, share ideas, and collaborate on new possibilities. Building a diverse network not only enriches my personal and professional life but also continuously fuels my growth and development.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: jocelynnsan
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jocelyn-sandoval-b42286193/
Image Credits
Headshot credits to Kody Melton.
