Statement of Purpose: The Essay That Became My Actual Life

Once upon a time there was a girl who wanted to be a doctor. She hated anatomy and physiology, but loved structure and systems. She matriculated through university as a business major. She completed the required 1000 hours to become a licensed cosmetologist. She published two books. She spent her days branding through social media, website development, and copy editing. Turns out, she simply wanted the world to be written with her hand, pronounced with her voice, expressed with her tone. Turns out, she wanted to be a storyteller. She wanted to tell stories — and for each time she did, that story to be a brand, that brand be seen in books, those books be called beautiful, that beauty be made a business, and that business become better.

"A time" is now. "She" is me.

And all this time while she believed she didn't want to be a doctor anymore, she discovered she was purposed to be a phrase physician. Carefully analyzing the DNA of complexly structured sentences and making them simple and clear through contextual metaphors and the science of narration. Dissecting organizational challenges, peeling back the layers of seemingly complicated matters to find that beneath the surface, the answers are in optimizing webpages with keywords and refocusing on consistent brand messages. Keeping a critical eye on a company's vital signs — the pulse of its reputation, the temperature of its employees, the rate at which decisions are made — seeing where strategic communication can be a rescue.

Why neither option worked.

Doctors typically have to run a round of tests before treating a suspected illness. My first mind told me I needed an MBA — that I should completely invest in the business side of my skills. Shortly after partially deciding against that, I applied and was accepted into an MFA for Creative Writing program; a leap into developing the other half. In an act of God, I discovered I was expecting and delayed the decision to return to school at that time. I stumbled across the Corporate and Organizational Communications program and realized why neither of the previous options worked. I was almost going down the path of treating the symptoms of my purpose rather than finding the cure.

Northeastern, once before, afforded me the opportunity to perfectly blend my marketing and cosmetology passions through co-ops — and I was confident this program would help me do it again. No other institution cares more deeply about the results of their students, where their programs lead, and how they had a hand, foot, and heart in getting them there. As a Double Husky, I could trust again that learning would not only happen inside the classroom and that real-world experience would meet me wherever I was.

The cure.

I'd bring back to Northeastern a thirst for fresh knowledge, a wealth of creativity — specifically through the use of language — and a powerful problem-solving aptitude. I'd graciously return with the skills I was blessed to have heightened as I left: critical thought, analysis methods, and written communication, all proven as worthy assets through my professional advancement.

A Master's in Corporate and Organizational Communications is my cure. It's the vaccine that exposes me to crisis management, effective resourcing, project assessment, and further leadership development — and gives me the boost to carry out these skills with fortitude. It will turn me into the medicine that prevents the spread of potentially dangerous communication and public relations disasters. I intend for this educational experience to transform me into a healing vessel — through words creating reconciliation in any corporate circumstance.

I almost didn't think it was possible to equally merge my passions for writing and strategy. But here we are. This. Then, finally, a Doctorate in Organizational Communications. wink.

I got in. I enrolled. I start Monday. 😆

Sometimes I take credit for my writing gift.

Oftentimes, God — not so subtly — reminds me that all good gifts come from Him. There are some ideas that divinely come together through the shifting of my hands that prove, more than I could ever explain, to be only God's work. This was the best of one of those times.

This was the statement of purpose I was required to write for admission. In turn, it became my personal statement of purpose — God's revelation of His plan for me; what He requires from the gift out of His heart to the work of my hands.

And so, this is not simply the announcement of my return to Northeastern and the beginning of my Master's journey. This is also the announcement of the start of my business. As you read, I was aligning all of the compliance requirements to make my name my official brand. Dominique Brienne, Writing & Communications Specialist | Brand Marketing Strategist, offering:

WRITING
Ghostwriting, Developmental Editing, Editing, Website Design, Website Copy, Copywriting, Copyediting, Proofreading

PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Communications Strategy, Brand Strategy, Marketing Strategy

COMMUNICATIONS
Press Releases, Newsletters, Grant Writing, Blogs, Blurbs & Biographies, Speech Writing, Sermon Editing

BRANDING
Social Media, Resume Writing + Formatting, Resume Editing, LinkedIn Editing, Brochures, Menus, Flyers, Invitations, Book Covers, Logo Design

I couldn't be more excited about what God is doing. I'm scared as all scared — but I'm trusting in the only source of solid strength. I anticipate your continued support and appreciate your love for my gift and endeavors. I look forward to building your brand, preserving your purpose, and editing your edicts.

#LetsWork #WordWork #DoctorDom

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Originally published in 2019. This was the list as it existed at launch — a snapshot of where it all began. What God has done with it since is a whole other story.

See what this has become; browse here on domwritenow.com and visit dominiquebrienne.com.