Laila Ben-Brahim, Social Media Specialist at Melodics Ltd

Working in and around music and creative people was the ultimate career goal for Laila Ben-Brahim, Social Media Specialist and Melodics. With that in mind, it looks and sounds like she has found her dream environment.

We caught up with Laila to learn more about her career journey into working for a tech company, which included enduring the common struggles as a freelancer. She shares some insight into how she changed tact and ultimately found her way into Melodics, as well as some great career advice for anyone else early in their own journey. Thanks for sharing your story, Laila.

Firstly, how would you explain to a five-year-old what it is you do?

I make sure that the company has pictures and videos on the internet (like Facebook), that tell a story about who we are, what we do, and how.

And for the adults, what does that translate to in regards to your day-to-day?

I apply marketing based thinking and strategy to help create and administer content suited to all relevant social media platforms for the company.

The purpose of my role is to build an audience, educate people about our product and company, and drive them to the product.

Monitoring site metrics, design, and human engagement with our followers and readers are also crucial aspects of being successful in the role.

What are some of the common misconceptions about working as a Social Media Specialist

That it doesn’t involve strategic or in-depth thinking because it is commonly judged for its mechanical duties (posting). That social media is solely Facebook or Instagram. Managing multiple social media accounts has a lot of moving parts and it is often seen as quite linear.

Was working in tech something you dreamed about doing as a kid, if not what was?

Working in a tech company was something that I had never even thought about as a kid. Working in or around music or creative people was my ultimate goal and I’ve found that being part of a tech company has been a really nice and welcomed surprise.

Being in the music and tech world means you’re challenged in the best ways and working with great people who combine a diverse range of skills.

Tell us a little bit more about your career journey and ultimately about how you ended up working at Melodics?

I have played music since I was very young and loved it so much that I continued studying and practicing music after high school.

I tried my best to search for creative roles and found the precarious nature of ‘gig’ life or ‘project-based’ payment wasn’t providing me with enough security to live comfortably.

I went back to uni to study communications which is also something I’m really enthused about and had since been working in various comms-based roles.

Office life had become incredibly pressing on my passions and identity. I was overworked, underappreciated, and not satisfied with my day-to-day role.

I saw the ad for Melodics which sat well with my communications background and when I researched more about Melodics, I saw an opportunity to combine my two worlds with a company that truly values its people.

I’m so thankful that I was given the opportunity to work here and my journey served as a reminder to keep on going and never give up hope!

What is the best piece of career advice you have ever received?

I come from an immigrant family, raised beneath the poverty line and where no one completed any higher education. My pathway was systemically laid out for me and statistically speaking, my chances of breaking that cycle were slim.

Not only have I been incredibly fortunate to study and work in jobs that my parents struggle to understand, I feel like I've made it, scored a try.

Furthermore, not only have a great job and career path, I work in a role that makes me excited about work and for a company that values my identity.

It’s a cliche, but don’t give up! A moment can fool you into thinking it’s forever but it truly isn’t. Keep going and trekking to your true north.

What do you love about working at Melodics?

Melodics is the first company I’ve worked for that stand true to and live out their values every single day.

Everyone is considered an equal, and each individual is valued for who they are inside of work, outside of work, and what they bring to work.

If most companies are a skyscraper where people are separated on different levels for various reasons, and each level has its own functions and limitations, then Melodics is like a horizon.

It's where everyone is on the same page and path, but each person contributes a different natural element that all comes together to make an incredible view. (couldn’t help the metaphor!)

Lastly, Melodics continues to grow and evolve, what are the key traits and characteristics of people that will be well placed to work there?

Melodics is filled with talented and open-minded people. I do think we’re a bit heavy on the introverted side and perhaps some more extroverted personalities would balance the room traits.