Name: Christina Grasso
Age: 27
Job Title: Social Media Editor at Stylecaster
College Name/Major: Saint Mary’s College, Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and Italian
Website: Stylecaster.com
Instagram Handle:@thepouf/ @stylecaster
What does your current job entail? Is there such a thing as a typical day?
Christina Grasso: I oversee all social media platforms for Stylecaster, and I also do quite a bit of writing for them, as well, so it keeps me quite busy! Every day is different, but typically I like to wake up early, put on the Today Show, and do my skin and makeup routine while having coffee with my cat, Betty (who also drinks coffee, she’s very refined). This is really the only quiet time I get, so I cherish my early mornings to myself. I head into the office around 9 am if I don’t have a morning event, and work until around 7 pm give or take. After work, I usually have some sort of event, and if not like to meet up with my friends for dinner or chill out with a glass of wine on the couch. With social, I am pretty much “on” 24/7, so it’s very important to me, especially as an introvert, to find time to reset.
What is the best part of your job?
CG: Overall, I feel really lucky to be doing work that I genuinely enjoy, and that I’ve worked so fiercely all my life to be doing. Otherwise, I love being able to use my creativity in a productive way and having the opportunity to collaborate with a lot of inspiring and talented people who motivate me to be better every day.
What was your first entry-level job in your field and how did you get it?
CG: My very first entry-level position was as an intern for Elite Model Management here in New York. When I was 14 years old, I was approached in a mall by their Head of Scouting who encouraged me to pursue modeling. Long story short, I didn’t grow past 5’7, but we kept in touch and I was offered an internship instead. From there, I completed several other internships until I landed my first “real” job in fashion PR.
What words of wisdom (well-known quotes, an anecdote from your boss) do you find most valuable?
CG: When I was an intern at Oscar de la Renta, I was lucky enough to work with a very dynamic team who truly cared about my development not only career-wise, but also on a personal level. One of my supervisors, Martha, told me something I will never forget: Speak when spoken to, and always remember the lessons and values instilled in me by my parents. In fashion and in New York in general, it’s extremely easy to lose sight of what’s really important in life, which to me is my family, working hard, staying grounded and true to myself, and giving back as much as I can. My career and professional success is very important to me, but the most meaningful work I do is through Project HEAL, a non-profit that funds eating disorder treatment for those who cannot afford it. Having gone through an eating disorder myself, it’s extremely fulfilling to help others along the same path I have walked.
What is one mistake you made along the way and what did you learn from it?
CG: I have made A LOT of mistakes along the way, but the good news is I don’t see mistakes as mistakes if you can learn from them. One that sticks out in my mind, however, happened when I was interning at Oscar de la Renta. For one of the shows, I pouffed my hair into a beehive and couldn’t fit a headset on top, which was a problem to say the very least. I guess the lesson here is to leave the major looks on the runway when you’re trying to work!
What has been the most surreal moment of your career thus far?
CG: I have had so many pinch-me moments, but I have to say the first fashion week I ever attended is probably up there. I flew in from rural Indiana where I was in college, and despite dreaming about experiencing New York Fashion Week for 18 years, I had never seen the industry so intimately. Now that I’ve had years of experience, the glitter has worn off a little bit so to speak, but I will never forget how magical that moment was for me. I finally felt a sense of belonging, and since then I’ve known, for sure, this is the place for me.
What do you look for when considering hiring someone?
CG: For me, it’s not necessarily about having the most experience, but having a hunger to learn and a spark I cannot really explain, and that’s something I can feel in the room within the first 2 minutes. Also, a sense of humor is absolutely vital. Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard, as they say!
What advice would you give to a 20-something with similar aspirations?
CG: Always say yes and figure it out later, and offer to work for free when starting out to get more experience. The latter is never ideal but in this industry, you really have to hustle. Also, know that you can come from the middle of nowhere and still succeed, as I am originally from a VERY small town in Western PA (we are talking a place where you see Amish buggies parked outside Wal-Mart) and moved to New York knowing less than 5 people. With hard work, anything is possible. And most importantly, always be gracious and kind. I think if there’s anything that’s gotten me anywhere, it’s treating everyone with kindness, even if they’re a total jerk.
What's the one thing that's stood out to you the most in a resume?
CG: I love to see when people dedicate themselves to causes that they are passionate about, outside of work. Volunteer experience usually tells me that someone is willing to go the extra mile without getting anything in return, which usually indicates a strong work ethic and an understanding of the value of treating others with dignity and kindness.