Social media positions are known for being some of the most demanding roles in the industry. When done incorrectly, a company’s social media accounts can come across as impersonal and overly promotional; however, when done right, they establish a connection with the audience that feels personal, resonating with them on an individual level. The success of The Everygirl’s social media presence can be largely attributed to Abigail Yonker.
Back in April 2018, while sitting in my senior year college apartment, anxiously awaiting my morning virtual training session, I was more nervous about the training than the interview that had led me to secure an internship at The Everygirl. However, when the phone call came from an unknown Chicago number and Abigail Yonker introduced herself on the other end, my nerves dissipated, and the conversation flowed as if I were talking to an old friend.
I had already familiarized myself with Abigail through extensive research on The Everygirl during my internship application process and had stumbled upon a video of her that had instantly convinced me of her charm and relatability. Her ability to make one feel at ease and comfortable, effortlessly blending friendliness into every interaction, was apparent from our very first conversation during the training. Over the course of two years filled with numerous wine nights, meetings, and coffee breaks, I came to realize that Abigail possessed a unique quality that everyone desires but few possess.
If you are not familiar with Abigail, you may not be paying close attention. Known informally among my acquaintances as “the blonde who’s always on The Everygirl’s Instagram stories” but formally recognized as The Everygirl’s Social Media Editor, Abigail plays a crucial role within our company. Her presence signals the start of the workday at the office, characterized by her sunny disposition and a cup of iced Americano in hand. Her dedication, creativity, and engaging Instagram captions form the core of The Everygirl. Abigail’s career journey has been marked by hurdles and persistence, leading her to where she is today, and I am thrilled to share her story with all of you.
Name: Abigail Yonker, Social Media Editor + Internship Program Manager at The Everygirl
Age: 26
Location: Chicago, IL
Education: BS in Strategic Communication from Texas Christian University (with a minor in film—I love throwing that fact in there so people take my movie recommendations seriously, lol)
Let’s start from (almost) the beginning. As the editor of your high school newspaper, you were familiar with a newsroom setting from a young age. Did you always know you wanted to pursue journalism? How did that experience affect your career path?
I harbored a desire to be a writer from a very young age, even before I had mastered the art of spelling. Believing it may sound fabricated, I recall carrying a notebook and a pencil, scribbling lines before even completely grasping how to write. Once proficient in this skill, I amassed journals and composed short stories on my parents’ computer. I vividly remember meticulously filling a notebook with “newspaper pages” while my parents were away on vacation for a week. This early fondness for writing laid the foundation for my passion. I was introduced to high school journalism through my older sister’s copies of her school newspaper, which kindled my excitement to contribute to a real publication. Throughout my four years in high school journalism, including a term as the paper’s editor-in-chief, my ardor for writing and editing grew, coupled with a talent for layout design, unknowingly honing skills relevant to my current work with social media graphics.
Given the above, I have never envisioned a career outside the realm of writing.
You started at The Everygirl as an Editorial Intern. How did you decide to apply? What was the application process like?
During college, I veered off course from my original aspirations, tending towards apprehension regarding a journalism career. Discovering my inclination towards storytelling rather than hard news reporting, I pivoted my major from journalism to strategic communications, presuming it aligned better with my interest in crafting engaging copy. In retrospect, I wish I had recognized that one could pursue both paths concurrently. Upon graduating and relocating to the Chicago suburbs, my job search yielded no full-time opportunities, leading to multiple rejections and a sense of dejection. In the fall, while working sporadically for a family friend, a series of events unfolded. One friend informed me of an entry-level position at a PR firm in New York, initiating an interview process there. Simultaneously, another friend directed me to The Everygirl website, where I later stumbled upon an internship listing. Although initially dismissing it due to perceived lack of job openings, a serendipitous internship opportunity emerged a few weeks later, and I applied impulsively.
After submitting a fervent application, I underwent interviews with Alaina and Danielle, the cofounders of The Everygirl, via Skype, eventually landing the internship starting in January 2017. In that same week, I received a verbal offer for a full-time role in New York City at my friend’s company, opting against the internship. Regretting my choice, I longed for the writing job but was met with a change in fortune when the New York company rescinded the offer, opting for a more experienced candidate. This turn of events devastated me. Frantically reaching out to Alaina and Danielle, expressing my willingness to take on any role, led to a transformative email, altering the course of my life, and inviting a sense of relief upon reading their affirmative response.
Rejections from various job applications were so plentiful that I received rejection emails from companies I had forgotten applying to.
We both started at The Everygirl at the same time (way back in 2017!). What do you wish you knew on your first day?
Arriving at The Everygirl on my first day as the “Desperate Email Girl,” I harbored significant anxiety about how my colleagues and our readers perceived me. A morning mishap, resulting in a pants rip and a broken phone while walking to the office, initially set a foreboding tone for the job. Looking back, the fear of conforming to The Everygirl’s perceived image weighed heavily on me. In time, I learned that The Everygirl’s identity is adaptable and evolving, and I am privileged to have contributed to its evolution over the years. I wish I could advise my 22-year-old self not to fear speaking up with ideas and to recognize that confidence comes with time.
Name: Abigail Yonker, Social Media Editor + Internship Program Manager at The Everygirl
Age: 26
Location: Chicago, IL
Education: BS in Strategic Communication from Texas Christian University (with a minor in film—I love throwing that fact in there so people take my movie recommendations seriously, lol)
Let’s start from (almost) the beginning. As the editor of your high school newspaper, you were familiar with a newsroom setting from a young age. Did you always know you wanted to pursue journalism? How did that experience affect your career path?
I wanted to be a writer even before I learned how to spell words. I used to carry a notepad and pencil, scribbling lines before mastering writing. Upon learning this skill, I avidly collected journals, penning short stories on my parents’ computer. I distinctly remember filling a notebook with “newspaper pages” during my parents’ week-long absence, creating weather reports and headlines like “My Brother Was Very Annoying Today, And I Wish You Had Been Here to Yell At Him.” I even printed faux magazine covers and crafted accompanying articles.
Exposure to my sister’s high school newspaper sparked my interest in journalism. Eagerly awaiting the opportunity to contribute to a genuine publication, I ambitiously tackled every assignment in my freshman year. Despite missing out on a section editor position due to lacking sufficient votes, I seized the opportunity to become the copy editor, a role that turned out to be my first non-internship position at The Everygirl nearly a decade later. Life has a way of coming full circle!
My high school journalism experience, culminating in a year as the paper’s editor in chief, further fueled my passion for writing and editing. Unbeknownst to me at the time, my talent for layout design, arranging articles and photos on a page, foreshadowed my current work with social media graphics.
With that said, my ambition has always centered on a career in writing.
You started at The Everygirl as an Editorial Intern. How did you decide to apply? What was the application process like?
After graduating and facing challenges securing a full-time job in the Chicago suburbs, I contemplated a shift away from journalism towards storytelling, leaning towards careers in advertising or public relations. During this uncertain period, a confluence of events unfolded. A friend recommended me for an entry-level position at a New York PR firm, presenting an opportunity that nearly came to fruition through multiple interview rounds. Simultaneously, another friend shared The Everygirl’s website, sparking my interest. Initially feeling disheartened by the perceived lack of job openings, my perception altered upon later stumbling upon an internship listing.
In a bold move, I submitted an enthusiastic application, which led to Skype interviews with Alaina and Danielle, eventually earning an internship at The Everygirl scheduled to commence in January 2017. That same week, I received a verbal full-time job offer from the New York firm, spurning the internship. Regretting my decision, I yearned for the writing opportunity. A twist of fate occurred when the New York company rescinded the offer for a more senior candidate. Devastated, I reached out to Alaina and Danielle in a desperate plea for another chance, a move that would prove to be life-altering upon receiving a positive response.
Rejections from various job applications were so plentiful that I received rejection emails from companies I had forgotten applying to.
We both started at The Everygirl at the same time (way back in 2017!). What do you wish you knew on your first day?
Embarking on my first day at The Everygirl as the “Desperate Email Girl,” I grappled with feelings of anxiety concerning my co-workers’ perceptions. A series of unfortunate events, including a wardrobe malfunction and a broken phone, cast a shadow over the beginning of my work journey. Looking back, I wish I had realized earlier that The Everygirl’s identity is adaptable, and I am grateful to have played a role in shaping it over the years. If I could offer advice to my 22-year-old self, it would be to shed any fears of voicing ideas and to understand that confidence comes with time.
Name: Abigail Yonker, Social Media Editor + Internship Program Manager at The Everygirl
Age: 26
Location: Chicago, IL
Education: BS in Strategic Communication from Texas Christian University (with a minor in film—I love throwing that fact in there so people take my movie recommendations seriously, lol)
Let’s start from (almost) the beginning. As the editor of your high school newspaper, you were familiar with a newsroom setting from a young age. Did you always know you wanted to pursue journalism? How did that experience affect your career path?
I wanted to be a writer even before I learned how to spell words. I used to carry a notepad and pencil, scribbling lines before mastering writing. Upon learning this skill, I avidly collected journals, penning short stories on my parents’ computer. I distinctly remember filling a notebook with “newspaper pages” during my parents’ week-long absence, creating weather reports and headlines like “My Brother Was Very Annoying Today, And I Wish You Had Been Here to Yell At Him.” I even printed faux magazine covers and crafted accompanying articles.
Exposure to my sister’s high school newspaper sparked my interest in journalism. Eagerly awaiting the opportunity to contribute to a genuine publication, I ambitiously tackled every assignment in my freshman year. Despite missing out on a section editor position due to lacking sufficient votes, I seized the opportunity to become the copy editor, a role that turned out to be my first non-internship position at The Everygirl nearly a decade later. Life has a way of coming full circle!
My high school journalism experience, culminating in a year as the paper’s editor in chief, further fueled my passion for writing and editing. Unbeknownst to me at the time, my talent for layout design, arranging articles and photos on a page, foreshadowed my current work with social media graphics.
With that said, my ambition has always centered on a career in writing.
You started at The Everygirl as an Editorial Intern. How did you decide to apply? What was the application process like?
After graduating and facing challenges securing a full-time job in the Chicago suburbs, I contemplated a shift away from journalism towards storytelling, leaning towards careers in advertising or public relations. During this uncertain period, a confluence of events unfolded. A friend recommended me for an entry-level position at a New York PR firm, presenting an opportunity that nearly came to fruition through multiple interview rounds. Simultaneously, another friend shared The Everygirl’s website, sparking my interest. Initially feeling disheartened by the perceived lack of job openings, my perception altered upon later stumbling upon an internship listing.
In a bold move, I submitted an enthusiastic application, which led to Skype interviews with Alaina and Danielle, the cofounders of The Everygirl, eventually earning an internship at The Everygirl scheduled to commence in January 2017. That same week, I received a verbal full-time job offer from the New York firm, spurning the internship. Regretting my decision, I yearned for the writing opportunity. A twist of fate occurred when the New York company rescinded the offer for a more senior candidate. Devastated, I reached out to Alaina and Danielle in a desperate plea for another chance, a move that would prove to be life-altering upon receiving a positive response.
Rejections from various job applications were so plentiful that I received rejection emails from companies I had forgotten applying to.
We both started at The Everygirl at the same time (way back in 2017!). What do you wish you knew on your first day?
Embarking on my first day at The Everygirl as the “Desperate Email Girl,” I grappled with feelings of anxiety concerning my co-workers’ perceptions. A series of unfortunate events, including a wardrobe malfunction and a broken phone, cast a shadow over the beginning of my work journey. Looking back, I wish I had realized earlier that The Everygirl’s identity is adaptable, and I am grateful to have played a role in shaping it over the years. If I could offer advice to my 22-year-old self, it would be to shed any fears of voicing ideas and to understand that confidence comes with time.
After your internship had concluded, you created a new path within the company by becoming our part-time Copy Editor and continuing to write for the site. How did you approach that transition?
When I wasn’t interned, I approached the role with the mindset of anticipating the needs of the business owners, Alaina and Danielle. Besides assisting with regular tasks like fetching coffee or reorganizing the workspace, I focused on addressing emerging demands. By volunteering for tasks others overlooked, participating in unique projects such as developing our inaugural video series, and establishing myself as the “career writer” to secure exclusive career profile interviews, I aimed to make a substantial contribution beyond my current role. Despite the presence of a copy editor at the time, I made a concerted effort to produce error-free articles to underscore my value to the company. My actions were driven by a desire to showcase my worth and commitment, a vital aspect for anyone seeking to stand out and carve a path within a new organization. By identifying and fulfilling unmet needs proactively, one can establish themselves as an indispensable asset in any workplace.
