Full name?: Ashley Lauretta
Position / Job title?: Assistant Publicist at PR by the Book; Freelance writer
1. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Back in 1999, it was decided that I would become a copy editor at the Chicago Sun-Times – I have Josie Geller from Never Been Kissed to thank for that dream. Up until that point, I had not yet realized that someone’s whole job was correcting the grammar and punctuation of writers and reporters. I was smitten with the idea.
2. Fast-forward several years/decades. How did you land (or create) your current position?
I discovered PR by the Book while I was working as a public relations account manager for a small boutique marketing and events company.
In college, I not only worked at my university’s library (Geisel Library at UC San Diego), but also spent two years working at Barnes & Noble. My background as a bookseller, plus my internship with a literary agency combined with my passion for books (as well as, my previous public relations experience) helped me when interviewing for my current position – and I can finally say I have my dream job!
3. Did you have to take on internships to get there? How important in general, do you think, are internships?
I can honestly say I wouldn’t be where I am if I had not had internships in college. The true impact of my internships can be seen in my freelance writing career. In addition to interning at the literary agency, I was an editorial intern for The San Diegan, a local San Diego guidebook. Then, I interned in the editorial department of Competitor Group (the company that owns Women’s Running, Triathlete, Competitor and the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series, to name a few). That internship was the turning point in my writing career, as it is where I got my first byline.
From there I accidentally became a fitness writer – when I moved to Austin after graduation, Competitor needed a Texas editor, and I was hired. I spent a year in that position while building up clips in various local Austin publications. Fast-forward two years later, and I am now a contributing writer for Women’s Running, a national publication that is the running and fitness resource for women all over the country. Had I not had my internship with Competitor Group, I probably would not have become a writer that specialized in fitness – and I would not be where I am today.
4. Let’s talk about work/life balance. What does that mean to you? Is it important?
Work/life balance is extremely important to me. As an assistant publicist, I do make sure I am always available for emergencies or media requests, and like every other publicist (and 20-something) in the world, my phone is always on me for these such occasions. At the same time, I am extremely organized and great at multi-tasking. On Friday afternoons, when I sign off for the weekend, I (almost always) have piece of mind that until Monday, I can relax and recharge, so I am on the top of my game come Monday morning.
5. On that note, do you think women can have it all? Both the baller career, and the happy family?
I sure hope so! I am a recent-newlywed, and lucky for me my husband is an adjunct professor, when not at his full-time job. This gives me time to work on freelance projects without feeling guilty.
I know we will have children at some point and I definitely think that women can have it all. However, as with any big changes, priorities will shift at different points in life. At my company, I am lucky to learn from women who have the career and the family – most of all, my boss – and she is testament that publicists and women business owners can have it all!
6. Do you have any career role models? Who are they?
I definitely have career role models. I must admit that I love Kelly Cutrone – her books and her show – and I think I am drawn to her because I am such an introvert. Her no-nonsense attitude and straight-to-the-point personality is something that I definitely admire. I hope as I grow as a publicist I can adopt some of that fearlessness into my personality. On the writing side of things, I admire Kristin Armstrong (former wife of Lance Armstrong) for her writing and running – if you love running I definitely suggest you read her Mile Markers column for Runner’s World and her book of the same title.
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