Who in the world is Emily Brown?
Welcome to The Career Pioneer dot com. I show professionals how to kick-start and follow through on their nagging career and business ideas, avoid stress and burnout, and gain more clarity.
The short version
My name is Emily Ann Brown. But you’ve probably figured that out by now. I work fulltime as a journalist. But in my free time (much of my free time, quite honestly) I blog about revolutionary ways to take your passion and ideas and make it reality.
I’m going to jump right to the point….
- I’ve been a passionate self-starter for as long as I can remember. But more notably, it kind of all clicked for me the summer right before I turned 16, when I started volunteering 5 days a week at a daycare for senior citizens with special needs. I knew at that point that I was created to live a life of purpose. And this blog and business has become an extension of that.
- I work from my home office and in my community every day doing what I love.
- You can count on me to be your biggest cheerleader. I love rooting for the underdog.
- I don’t curse. So if you’re looking for provocative language to get your juices going, you’re in the wrong place, my friend. (Although I encourage you to stick around.) I grew up in Southwest Georgia, though, so when I do get riled up about something I tend to lose all sense of syntax. That’s when you will hear my southern twang. Provocative enough, for ya’?
- It is up to YOU to step out on faith and follow through on the tips offered here, if you choose to take such advice.
Other things you might want to know about me…
- I was awarded the Apex Society’s Power 30 Under 30 Award for my work as a journalist and founder of this blog.
- I am a wife and mom to a 3-year-old.
- I live and work in Washington, DC.
- I am the Career Development Chair for the Alliance for Women in Media — National Capital Area Chapter.
- I have written for Bloomberg News, the Wall Street Journal, BlackAmericaWeb.com, and others.
- I am in graduate school at Johns Hopkins University and hope to one day finish my degree free of debt.
- All of what you read here is my opinion and that of my affiliates, and should not be taken as a reflection of my employer.
What’s this blog about?
TheCareerPioneer.com is properly entitled “Tips and Ideas for Passionate Self-Starters” because I have been a self-starter all my life.
I grew up in a very small town in Georgia on a hog farm, where I dreamed of one day uprooting and setting out for the big city. My dad and mom pushed my brothers and I to do our best and we were constantly reminded to be leaders and to take initiative. Needless to say, the seeds of self-startership were planted early.
. . . When I wanted to work for the local radio station, I went to the station, spoke to the program manager, and landed the job on the spot at age 17.
. . . When I decided to get a jumpstart on college, I enrolled in the local community college during my junior year of high school.
. . . And although I didn’t have a desire to become the first black (and Asian) homecoming queen for my high school, I managed to achieve that too.
. . . When I wanted to attend acting school in Hollywood, Calif. I did it thanks to my parents’ support.
. . . But when Daddy and Momma’s hard-earned cash no longer supported my lifestyle, I mustered the will to finish college while working fulltime and surviving off of the McDonald’s Dollar Menu, more or less. And I eventually earned my 4-year degree at the un-traditional age of 24.
You see, I didn’t just talk about doing things. I actually found a way to do it. The thing is, I know I’m not an anomaly. There are hundreds of people out there just like me.
Are you one of them?
While this blog started out as my online home — where I could improve my writing chops and share my story and how I moved from discontent in my career, to becoming an award-winning writer. Somewhere along the way, it morphed into something so much more.
This blog is a plain-English, pull-no-punches tale of my life as a professional writer, wife, and mom. When I gave birth to my daughter nearly three months too soon, the doctors said it was due to ‘severe pre-eclampsia.’ But I believe that on-the-job stress was partly the cause. I knew I had to make a change. And, thankfully, I did.
Now, I’m on a mission to help other driven professionals, like myself, pursue successful careers . . . free of high blood pressure.
Topics on this blog include personal marketing, personal branding, resume writing, small business/start-up, public speaking, motivation, etc. I also throw in the occasional post about staying healthy — another topic I’m passionate about when I’m not craving mint chocolate chip ice cream.
You might have stopped by this blog because you are out of work or you are considering ditching your dead-end job that has become the root of your high blood pressure. Maybe you are thinking about striking out on your own or starting a side hustle. That’s great and all, but I know from experience that it is harder than it sounds.
I started this blog because I firmly believe that my approach and my way of helping is unique. So go ahead and browse the archives. Subscribe to the newsletter for updates and snag the bonus e-book while you are at it. Also, hit me up on Facebook or Twitter. Or shoot me an email.
I look forward to connecting with you, and I hope you enjoy TheCareerPioneer.com.
All the best,
