TorchLight April Contractor of the Month: Alison Pruitt
Congratulations to Alison Pruitt for her selection as TorchLight’s April Contractor of the Month! Read on to learn more about Alison—her hobbies, how she got into freelancing and what she likes most about being part of the TorchLight team!
April Contractor of the Month: Alison Pruitt
Where did you grow up and where did you go to college? What did you study?
I grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia and was an English major at Oberlin College. Later, I got my M.A. and Ph.D. in English literature from Rutgers University.
What did (or do!) you want to be when you grow up? How did you get into marketing and communications?
Initially, I wanted to be a ballerina. 😊 But by high school, I decided I wanted to be a writer. My writing and editing skills seemed like a natural fit with marketing and communications. I particularly enjoy the wide variety of things I learn about when I write for different clients.
How did you get into freelancing?
I’ve been freelancing for years, but I started it full-time around 2008 when I was laid off. The job market wasn’t good, and I had small children. It was easier to work on a freelance basis. I enjoy how it lets me arrange my own schedule and work from home.
What do you like to do for fun? (Pre-COVID or currently or both 😊)
Mostly I read. I read 190 books in 2020 (although that was atypical because COVID meant there weren’t a lot of other things to do). I also watch movies and enjoy traveling with my family when it’s safe to do so.
Favorite food? Drink?
Pizza and Diet Coke.
One bucket list destination…
It’s hard to choose just one! Alaska maybe.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in their career?
I wouldn’t recommend starting as a freelancer. It’s easier to freelance if you have several years of experience under your belt and connections with potential clients.
What work accomplishment are you most proud of?
I’m proud of having built a freelance career that has brought me to a place where I am in demand as a writer.
What has been the biggest plus about working from home during the pandemic? Challenge?
I’d already been working from home before the pandemic. The biggest challenge is that my husband is now working from our dining room and he has a loud voice. But it’s been nice that COVID has given us more family time. We have dinner with our kids a lot more frequently.
Finally, what do you like about working for TorchLight?
Torchlight has given me some great assignments with some really interesting organizations. I’m very grateful that they’ve found opportunities for me that I wouldn’t have found on my own.
Congratulations again to our April Contractor of the Month, Alison Pruitt. Keep up the good work! Check out our last Contractor of the Month, Jenny Regan.
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