The term “Women in SPAM” is all over the internet right now. SPAM stands for social media, public relations, advertising, and marketing, fields often associated with the women many of us grew up watching in hit rom-coms and series such as “The Devil Wears Prada,” “Emily in Paris,” and “Sex and the City.”

But there is more to these careers than what we see on screen. Beyond the romanticized image of burnout, overwork, and high-pressure environments, working in SPAM takes grit, creativity, and resilience. To help today's youth understand what it really means to be a woman in SPAM, we asked women leaders in their respective fields what it takes to thrive in the industry.

Be willing to learn and start from the bottom. Despite having all the information at your fingertips, it's still important to have a unique voice, point of view, taste, and people skills to survive in this industry. For now, keep reading not just blogs or social media posts but actual books. Get as much information as you can from all sources, get an internship, and train your people skills by joining communities or events whenever you can. Network as early as you can because these connections will help you in the long run.

I'm a proud AB Communication graduate, but if there's one thing I wish I had done differently, it would have been to pursue a different field of study in college. Why? Because most of what I apply in my job today wasn't something I learned in the classroom. I learned it through internships, by doing the work, immersing myself in the industry, making mistakes, and figuring things out along the way. One of the mentors I admire most in the SPAM industry actually finished a pre-med course. Imagine that. She didn't build an incredible career because she studied communications; she built it because she brought the discipline, analytical thinking, and rigor that came with studying medicine into everything she did.

Succeeding as a woman in the media, PR, advertising, and social media landscapes requires a mindset shift from trying to blend in to unapologetically standing out. The creative industry has historically been male-dominated at the leadership level, but true disruption happens when women leverage their unique perspectives rather than trying to fit into pre-existing corporate molds. Lead with heart and purpose; Embrace emotional storytelling; Protect your creative voice; and build collaborative communities.

Work on your writing. Clear, concise, grammatically sound writing is the foundation of effective communications. Re-read “Elements of Style” and “On Writing Well” every year. Work on your presentation. It’s one thing to write well; it’s another thing to present articulately. You will always be in pitch mode, whether to a client, a reader, or a journalist. Practice, practice, practice. Stay updated. This is a fast-moving industry, and things can change overnight. Broaden your reading, build your knowledge, always be curious, and always seek to learn more.

Whether your dream is to work in publishing, advertising, public relations, social media, or marketing, a career in SPAM is far more than its glamorous reputation. Behind every viral campaign, magazine cover, or successful brand story are years of learning, collaboration, and perseverance. As these women leaders remind us, succeeding in the industry starts with staying curious, finding your voice, and never being afraid to start from the ground up.