Little Rebecca would be incredibly proud of where I am today, because somehow, some way, I made it into the tech world
I grew up in the heart of Silicon Valley, surrounded by rapid innovation and ever-evolving technology. In school, STEM was always a priority. Whether it was guest speakers sharing their careers in tech or the nonstop push to take more STEM classes, the message was clear: Technology was the future.
From an early age, that message stuck with me.
Outside of school, I found myself going to places where I could embrace my curiosity. I would go to Tech Interactive, the Children’s Discovery Museum and the California Academy of Sciences. I loved exploring the exhibits and getting lost in the hands-on experiments that made science feel like magic.
Beyond museums and school, my dad’s workplace shaped my view of the tech world the most. He was a software engineer at Apple for over 40 years, and before security got stricter, I was lucky enough to spend lots of time on the Infinite Loop campus when it was Apple’s headquarters. Family dinners at the cafeteria were a regular event, and I remember looking around, seeing groups of colleagues laughing together, families sharing meals and friends stopping by here and there to say hello.
It was more than just a workplace; it was a true community. I knew I wanted to be a part of it, but I wasn’t sure where I would fit in.
When I got to college at the University of Oregon, I discovered public relations and quickly fell in love. I knew this was the career path I wanted to pursue, but I didn’t know where tech fit into the equation. Most of what I heard about PR revolved around consumer brands, the glitzy product launches and celebrity endorsements, but that world felt disconnected from the kind of innovation I had grown up admiring.
Then, in October 2023, my PRSSA chapter visited PR agencies in Portland, and one of the stops was The Hoffman Agency. That was the light bulb moment. I saw an uplifting, creative environment that blended writing with technology and strategy with storytelling. In that moment, I knew this was where I could find my place in the tech world. It was a place that valued community, creativity and innovation.
Now as I start my journey at Hoffman, it feels like a full-circle moment. Silicon Valley showed me the power of tech, and now I get to help tell those stories. Little Rebecca would be so proud, and I cannot wait to see where this journey takes me!
