Name: Matt Augustin
Profession: Social Strategist at DigitasLBi in Chicago, Social Strategist for Marcus Graham Project, CEO of The Kamikaze Experience LLC, and Event Manager for MAFA Chicago
Age? 25
I have put my passion to purpose by: ensuring that I don’t just relax after doing my 9-5 duties, but also immerse myself in programs and organizations that allow me to create opportunities to see more individuals that look like myself enjoying a career in this amazing industry.
During the winter of 2014-15 the City of Chicago was experiencing record breaking cold temperatures hitting -45 degrees with wind chill. Matt Augustin was in the midst of it all. Having recently left his job in outside sales to pursue a career in public relations and marketing, Augustin was not only feeling the chill of the Chicago air but the sting of unemployment. “Now, neither of my parents are American so they didn’t truly understand some of my choices, but as their son they supported the decision,” Augustin tells BE Modern Man. “That was one weight on my shoulders, and I soon landed an unpaid internship in downtown Chicago which was a two hour commute from my apartment.”
In order to pay for the bills that were stacking up and gas to get to and from work Augustin had to get a job delivering pizzas. “That was probably one of the most humbling experiences in my life,” says Augustin. “Here I was a college graduate that all my peers looked at as a motivational young man on his way and I was driving through downtown Chicago’s icy streets trying to make sure someone’s pizza topping didn’t get cold.”
Feverishly working to gain unpaid experience and delivering pizzas while trying to dodge the calls of bill collectors was without a doubt one of the roughest and most humbling moments for Augustin. Finally there was a bit of warmth in the midst of it all. Augustin landed a paid Social Media and Digital Internship opportunity for an ad agency in downtown Chicago. “I was able to leave my unpaid internship, my delivery job, and enjoy my first taste of advertising life,” Augustin tells BE Modern Man. “This is also when I met Lincoln Stephens
, founder of The Marcus Graham Project.”There were two weeks remaining in a boot camp (rigorous internship) opportunity wit the Marcus Graham Project when Augustin accepted a new salaried role. He says, “an agency in Chicago created the position for me based on my story and my drive. It’s crazy to think that was only a little over a year ago.”
The realization that things were falling into place came when Augustin woke up one morning with a feeling that the search has ended. “I was still thirsty for knowledge and striving to become a better person overall, but that feeling of being lost began to diminish,” Augustin tells BE Modern Man.
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Pouring his effort into his work, and beginning to place professional goals ahead of personal pleasures was when he knew this where he was meant to be. “When I began to truly become a walking billboard for not only the programs I have been a part of, but the industry as a whole I knew,” says Augustin. “Now it’s not a
matter of if this is what I want to do. Now my mentality is finally focused on what are the next steps to become a thought leader within my discipline while making an impact on my industry as a whole.”Struggling to make ends meet and questioning if the experience gained would pay off in the end, Augustin’s story is a living example of learning to do what you can with what you have while also staying involved in things that you love. “I had to deliver pizza to pay bills. It sucked. It took up a majority of my time but I also sacrificed leisure time with an internship in marketing which would eventually lead me down this road.”
Discipline along with the passion for the industry is what kept Augustin moving forward during those times when many would have given up. “My advice is make sure that no matter what, you always leave time to do what you love,” Augustin tells BE Modern Man. He adds, “one day it will become what you do for a living. The profits will always come with
time, but what good are they if you’re miserable inside? I wake up at 5:00am and head into work by 6:30am. Some call me crazy, I call it passion. I love this industry and what I do, so to me it’s simply waking up and living.”Named a finalist for the Bill Sharp Award and an ADCOLOR FUTURE for 2015, Augustin is indeed making an impact. “Being a BE Modern Man means that you are doing something right. It’s a reminder that I need to appreciate the journey in its entirety and be thankful and humbled, but also continue to set an example.”
The BlackEnterprise.com team salutes Matt Augustin for his perseverance in the face of some very challenging moments. His ability to believe in himself while pursuing his passion is why we are proud to call him a BE Modern Man. We look forward to seeing his growth in the industry and the positive impact he makes in within the communities he touches.
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