Would you like to be our next member spotlight?
At WiT, we love to shine a light on our members' stories and give them a chance to answer questions about themselves, plus offer advice to other members.
Erica Wieczorek
Chicago
Freelancer
"Let kindness be your currency; other wealth is sure to follow"
More About Me
Tell us about your career journey and how you ended up here.
I earned my B.A. from Loyola University Chicago in 2018 in Communications with a focus on Advertising/Public Relations and a minor in Marketing. My passion for the toy industry runs deep. So much so, that I completed my senior thesis project at LUC on the matter. Titled “For Ages 3+: A contemporary study of advertising in the toy industry,” I analyzed market trends, demographics, industry key players, consumer spending data, and challenges faced within the industry. Based on the results of my analysis, I then completed a research paper, IMC plan, and two media campaigns. After graduation, I got caught up in trying to keep up with my bills, so the chase for my dream job lost momentum. Now, I'm actively looking for an entry-level position to kickstart my career!
Describe yourself in 5-7 words.
playful
passionate
spontaneous
loyal
resourceful
altruistic
determined
Tell us about a time when you thrived at work, and what you learned about yourself from that experience.
When I first started out as an Account Executive, I struggled to find leads and make cold calls. So, I decided to work "smart" rather than "hard." I scoured my alumni groups on LinkedIn and reached out to potential leads with the appropriate job titles. More often than not, those connections would direct me to decision makers with direct contact info, completely avoiding gatekeepers. This method earned me a promotion within my first three months at the company. I learned that I can do anything I set my mind to, even if I have to take the road less traveled.
What is your favorite part of your job?
Researching companies and building my professional network
How about when you "turn off" and go home? Any hobbies or fun activities you are involved in?
I love painting, singing, writing, volleyball, and softball. When I'm not partaking in those activities, you can find me translating my Netflix subtitles from Spanish (to justify my binge-watching) and cuddling up with my kitten, Lucy.
Any must-read, must-watch or must-follow recommendations?
Podcasts: Making It In the Toy Industry (informative), Page 7 (hilarious)
Anything else you want to share with the WIT Community?
I can juggle! (literally and metaphorically)
My role models are Selena Quintanilla, Frida Kahlo, and my grandmother.
