Jenae Rogers

I think a lot of that perspective comes from living with a chronic health condition called CRPS, which essentially means living with chronic pain. I’ve had it since high school, and over time it’s taught me a lot about resilience and determination. When you’re constantly tired, in pain, and not feeling well, it can be really easy to give up on things. When I was first diagnosed, that’s exactly what I did. I dropped out of school, I wasn’t working, and I moved back in with my parents. I remember thinking, I’m in pain, I’m exhausted—why even try?

But eventually I realized that if I stayed in that place, nothing in my life was going to move forward. Living with CRPS definitely makes things harder. Working full time, pursuing other goals, and just keeping up with everyday life can take a lot more energy. But in many ways, it’s made me stronger and more intentional about how I live.

I try to be very intentional with the things that matter most to me—my marriage, my friendships, and my family. And it’s also made me incredibly grateful for where I am today. Ten years ago, I don’t think the version of me back then would have believed I’d be here now.

The best career advice I’ve ever received actually came from my mom, who I’ve always looked up to. She’s been in her job for almost 20 years, and she’s incredible in so many ways (I may be a bit biased). One thing she told me that has really stuck with me is, “Jenae, you can’t expect YOU from everyone else.”

I’m a very organized and detail-oriented person, and I tend to do things in a very particular way. For a long time, I struggled when other people didn’t approach things the same way I did—whether that meant timelines, organization, or just how a task got done. What my mom’s advice helped me realize is that it’s not about lowering expectations; it’s about giving people grace. Not everyone works the same way I do, and that’s okay. People have different processes, different strengths, and different ways of getting things done.

Social media is actually a perfect example of that. Everyone I’ve talked to who works in social media approaches it a little differently, and there really isn’t just one “right” way to do it. It’s about finding the groove that works for you and for your organization, while recognizing that someone else’s approach might look completely different—and that’s okay.

I know it might sound a little cheesy, but my biggest advice is to just go for it. Don’t let people discourage you. Social media is one of those fields where people often say, “Oh, it’s just social media—anyone can do that.” But the reality is that it’s much more complex than people realize. There’s strategy behind everything: psychology, audience behavior, messaging, timing, and so many other factors that shape how content performs.

At the same time, it’s also incredibly fun and impactful work. You get the opportunity to tell the story of an organization or brand and connect with people in meaningful ways. In many ways, you’re inviting people to invest in what your organization is doing. I think some people hesitate to pursue social media because of the stigma that sometimes surrounds content creators or influencers. But social media marketing and brand strategy are very different from that, and they can be incredibly rewarding careers.

If you’re interested in social media in fields like higher education or nonprofits, it may start slowly. You’ll probably wear a lot of hats and learn a lot along the way. But if you’re passionate about it, it’s absolutely worth pursuing, because being able to tell stories and see the impact of that work is incredibly rewarding.

One of the biggest challenges in social media right now, especially in higher education and nonprofit spaces, is resources. A lot of times, social media teams are very small. Sometimes it’s just one person, and that person ends up wearing a lot of different hats. You’re not just managing social media. You’re also doing graphic design, photography, videography, analytics, content planning, strategy, and sometimes even things like event coverage or marketing support for other departments.

Because of that, time can be one of the biggest challenges. There are always more stories to tell, more content you could create, and more platforms to keep up with, but there are only so many hours in the day. Budget can also be a limitation, especially when it comes to tools, advertising, or expanding a team.

At the same time, I think that challenge also creates a lot of opportunity. When you’re working with limited resources, you learn how to be creative and strategic with what you have. You get really good at prioritizing what matters most and finding authentic ways to tell your organization’s story. In many ways, that can lead to some of the most meaningful and engaging content, because it’s real and it comes directly from the community you’re serving.

For me, authenticity is really important. I want to know that the people in my life—the people I’m talking to and spending time with—are being real. Especially in a world shaped so much by social media, there are so many ways for things to feel inauthentic. People can hide behind anonymous accounts, create fake profiles, or present a version of themselves that isn’t really who they are. Because of that, authenticity matters a lot to me in my personal life. I want to be real with the people around me, and I want them to be real with me too. I don’t think you can have a genuine relationship, whether it’s romantic, a friendship, family, or even a professional relationship, if people aren’t being authentic.

When you’re not being real, people never actually get to know who you are. And to me, that’s the most important part: being able to show up as your true self and be accepted for who you are. Not everyone is going to like you, and that’s okay. What matters most is that you’re being honest about who you are and surrounding yourself with people who value that.