Introductions
As I noted in my last post, I am now a member of the AAF Houston chapter. A few days ago, they contacted me to get details for a new member profile in the upcoming issue of the chapter newsletter. Twelve questions didn’t seem so tough. I was very wrong. It was akin to a job application.
Since this blog is new, I thought I’d post my responses. In fact, introductions all around! Post a comment and let me know who you are, too. Make up your own questions if you like.
Hometown: Houston, specifically the Braeswood neighborhood
Where you went to school: I’m a Rice alumna (History BA, Hanszen ‘01) and I picked up my MA in advertising from UT this past May.
My line of work is: I’m keen to get started on a career in account management. If you have or know of an opening, drop me a line on Twitter @jenfrazer. Before returning to school in 2007, I worked in constituent communications, newspaper consulting, and graphic design.
I got into my line of work because: Who doesn’t get a thrill when clients are deliriously happy? There’s no reason you can’t please the client and still satisfy yourself as long as you’re careful and open to ideas. Advertising seemed the logical intersection between business needs and creative urges.
My heroes/heroines include: I’m most impressed by everyday heroes who make hard choices and model excellence with no consideration for fame. I’ve been fortunate to know many.
What I wish I’d learned earlier and why: There’s so much I haven’t learned yet that I want to know right this very minute.
My favorite movies/books and why: A Hard Day’s Night simply makes me happy. It has a lighthearted script and an artistic execution that belies its pop provenance.
What I do in my free time: I sing! I’m a semi-professional mezzo-soprano. Most of my singing is with the Episcopal Church, but I’ve also performed with the Bach Choir and the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Houston.
The most unique thing about me is: I don’t have a middle name. It makes monograms tricky.
People who know me would say: “She’s just this girl, you know?” (Not really, but the impulse to reference HHGTTG was too strong.)
What I’m most proud of: I recently got myself into decent shape after decades of trying. I’ll be even more proud if I’m still fit five years from now.
What I like best/ least about Houston: I dislike the city’s strip-center appearance and the cheap construction and tear-down mentality that created it. But I also love the boom attitude, affordability, and diversity that doesn’t come with a slavish devotion to tradition and planning. It’s raucous fun.