As it would turn out, Gabby’s career would unfold through a series of internships and the connections she made in those positions.

Starting with an internship with the Indiana Senate Democrats, Gabby had a whirlwind of opportunities that led her to a fellowship with the IndyStar newspaper and internships with the IU Bicentennial Commission and the College of Arts and Sciences’ Communications and Marketing office.

Her time as an intern with the College provided a breadth of work that prepared her for the demands of future internships and jobs.

“I got to do a little bit of everything and really felt like part of the team. From photography to event planning, from blog writing and social media managing to design work and website editing, I strengthened my skills in so many areas. I also learned a lot about messaging and specifically how to tailor a message to different audiences, thanks to the fact that the College has to communicate to and for over 70 unique departments.”

Ultimately, it was one of Gabby’s connections in the Senate Democrats’ office that helped her land her first job as their press secretary. While taking photos at a career fair, Gabby had a chance meeting with the office’s intern director. One day and a phone call later, Gabby was invited to join the Senate Democrats full-time as their press secretary upon graduation.

When she was offered the chance to begin part time before graduating, she accepted the challenge, working in the office three days a week around her final fall semester classes. Recognized for her abilities and hard work, it was only a year and a half later that she was promoted to the role of communications director.

The experience put Gabby on a path that led her to her current position, director of communications and advocacy for Tamm Capitol Group, a government affairs and association management company with clients including the Indiana Restaurant and Lodging Association (INRLA) and the Indiana Affordable Housing Council.

“I still do work that coincides with the legislature, however, in a much more niche area of interests,” Gabby says. She has a different level of responsibility with each client, but Gabby’s main focus is on communications for INRLA.

“I have jokingly said after the past couple of months that the best way to learn a job quickly is to be hit with a global pandemic weeks into starting,” Gabby says, her sense of humor shining through even in a difficult situation. “No joke, I was in my new office for less than a month before being quarantined.”

Having achieved so much in less than a decade since graduating, Gabby has advice for students: be prepared to leave your comfort zone when applying for internships and jobs. “You'll quickly learn what you like and don't like. I always thought it was a bad thing that I didn't have a dream job or exact path I wanted to take right out of college but being open to new experiences has worked out really well for me.”

And if you have no idea what you want your career to look like? Keep learning and keep applying for internships that pique your interest. “You will find where you belong, or it will find you. Just give it time, trust in yourself and your abilities, really put effort into learning what you do and don't want and continue to be yourself despite how much people may try to change you.”