TorchLight October Contractor of the Month: Rachel Arnold
Congratulations to our Contractor of the Month Rachel Arnold! Read on to learn more about Rachel – where she grew up, the best advice she’s ever received from a manager and her exciting bucket list destination.
Where did you grow up and where did you go to college? What did you study?
I grew up in Rochester and Stillwater, Minnesota. I started college at Century College, a community college in White Bear Lake, MN, and then transferred to the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities. I studied Spanish Language and Literature, and spent time studying abroad in Mérida, Venezuela.
What did (or do!) you want to be when you grow up?
Since I was a wee child, I’ve always wanted to be a singer.
How did you get into marketing and communications?
After college, I started working at a non-profit dental clinic in Minnesota. That sparked my interest in fundraising for causes I care about, and I started to learn how to write effective fundraising appeals both digitally and via direct mail. I learned how to use digital and offline channels to cultivate and deepen relationships with constituents. That then led me to marketing and communications.
What do you like to do for fun?
I like to practice yoga, sing, cook, travel, hike, read and spend time with my family, friends and dog.
Favorite food? Drink?
It’s hard to for me to select one favorite…At the moment, my favorite food is tacos and my favorite drink is natural wine, particularly pet nat, frizzante and orange wine.
One bucket list destination…
India! My partner and I are going to our friends’ wedding in Goa, India in Feb. 2024, and we are going to spend time touring the country after the festivities! It’s going to be a once-in-a-lifetime trip!
What’s the best advice a manager has ever given you?
To advocate for yourself and find mentors who will guide you along the way.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in their career?
Challenge yourself to get outside of your comfort zone when you can. Offer to support projects that interest you, even if you don’t have a lot of expertise yet. Remember to set boundaries, though. It’s okay to say you don’t have the bandwidth to offer support if your plate is already full. Take breaks and occasional mental health days to avoid burnout.
What work accomplishment are you most proud of?
I designed, created, and implemented the social media strategy and content for an international exchange organization I worked for. I grew our audiences across Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn by 53%, which increased the number of mid-funnel constituents so we could cultivate deeper relationships with them and increase conversions.
What do you like most about being a contractor?
The flexibility it allows me to have. I’ve been able to set timelines for myself and have discovered the power of blocking time in my calendar to complete my deliverables. I work from home full-time, and the flexibility has allowed me to continue to hone my project management and interpersonal communication skills via online tools.
What do you like about working for TorchLight?
The team at Torchlight is so kind and supportive. I’m able to speak honestly and openly about my needs, and I’ve been given wonderful advice and guidance that has allowed me to grow professionally.
Congratulations again to our October Contractor of the Month, Rachel Arnold. Keep up the good work! Check out our last Contractor of the Month, Munazzah Aslam.
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