10 Questions With Rachel
Few things delight us more than welcoming team members to the Cutline Crew, and we’re thrilled to introduce Rachel — our newest intern!
We sat down with Rachel to learn what excites her about a career in storytelling, her best tricks to stay creative and productive (spoiler alert: she has book recommendations), and her deep love of live music. Read on for the full scoop.
Why storytelling and PR?
PR is dynamic, and I want a career that challenges me and calls for continuous learning. Our media landscape is rapidly evolving with new technology and trends, and I’m keeping my eye on the expansion of digital channels, the implementation of AI, and influencer-driven campaigns. With these changes, it’s important to stay creative, look at things through a new lens, and be a sponge for information. I’m excited to see what the future holds.
What was the last thing you did to learn something new?
I recently read Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know by Adam Grant with my roommate. After we were done, we talked about what we learned and how we can implement the lessons into our everyday lives. My main takeaway was that we’re conditioned to do things as we’ve always done them, but approaching an issue in a new way empowers us to be more productive and innovative. This changed the way I brainstorm and solve problems. For example, I’m learning to ask more questions, pull information from a variety of sources, and not feel afraid to learn from mistakes.
What’s your go-to productivity trick?
I rely heavily on to-do lists. There’s nothing like checking off those little boxes! I’ve also found it helpful to set a timer and ask myself, “What can I get done in the next 15 minutes?” By breaking up tasks into smaller, timed increments, I’m able to get things done without feeling overwhelmed. This is especially helpful when doing research and compiling a lot of information. This trick also works when cleaning my apartment because it makes it feel like a game.
Who has influenced you most when it comes to how you approach your work?
My mom, Dana. She has over 30 years of public affairs experience and has always been my inspiration! She puts one hundred percent into everything, and she does it all with grace and precision. I hope to be half the person she is, professionally and personally.
What do you love to do?
I love live music and I’ll go to any concert—even if I’m not familiar with the artist. This year I’ll be seeing Zach Bryan, Tyler Childers, Chelsea Cutler, and Mt. Joy. If I won the lottery, I would see a show every night. There’s nothing like singing your heart out and dancing in a crowd.
How do you prefer to end your day?
I unwind by watching TV and drinking a cup of tea. My favorite shows are The Sopranos and White Lotus. I also love a good sweet treat, either Phish Food from Ben & Jerry’s or a Trader Joe's dark chocolate peanut butter cup!
What's the one gadget service you wish someone would come up with?
It's about time we have a gadget that makes the bed for you. There’s nothing like getting into a crisply made bed at the end of a long day. It’s 2024! Who do I need to speak to about this?
What advice would you give to your teenage self?
Understand that some things are out of your control. My freshman year of college was cut short due to COVID, which completely changed my experience and left me questioning what my future would look like. The best piece of advice I received to manage these anxieties is to make a list of stressors in my life and decide which ones I can act on. We can’t always choose what happens to us in life, but we can choose how to respond.
What do you do to turn things around when you’re having a bad day?
I try to move my body even if I don’t want to. I’ve been practicing yoga for three years now, and it has been extremely beneficial for my mental and physical health. Being in a room with no distractions helps me ground myself and put what’s happening in the world into perspective. Outside of the studio, I try to implement breathing techniques to help bring clarity and focus to my mind.
If you had to sing a song on American Idol, what would it be?
“You’re So Vain” by Carly Simon — inspired by Andy in How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days. I can’t sing to save my life, but hopefully, I’d win over the judges with my enthusiastic spirit and dance moves.