We had the good fortune of connecting with Samantha Betia and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Samantha, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
I’ve learned to practice work-life integration, where establishing a balance is essential to health and wellbeing. Allocating time for activities and passion projects outside a 9-to-5 is key to happiness and growth. It shouldn’t be regarded as a mere afterthought. In this digital age where we are presented with so many opportunities to hone our skills and challenge our creativity, there are many ways to pursue activities that allow us to grow and expand our horizons. It took me a few years to realize that focusing solely on my corporate job will not define who I am and my success. Work is only a small fraction of life and what I am capable of doing. I now think of this balancing act as a circular movement—a wheel that continues to move harmoniously with its surroundings. I’ve started to impose boundaries through my working hours (easier said than done, I know!) and have begun to organize a schedule for side projects and tasks that I enjoy and would like to practice: from outdoor activities and creative pursuits to volunteering and giving back to communities. I opened my eyes to the endless possibilities outside of my usual professional scope. As a result of this, I began learning more about myself and attracted interesting new opportunities along the way.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a Filipina with humble beginnings.
My mother taught me to always look back at my roots as it defines who I am – a communicator with a creative mindset. Back home, we value family ties, arts, food, culture, and the importance of hard work and resilience. These elements are my source of inspiration and have continued to shape both my personal and professional career.
I have over six years of experience working in public relations, branding, and sustainability, where I started out as a stakeholder engagement assistant in a water infrastructure investments firm based in Manila, Philippines. The corporate journey exposed me to many different stakeholders, helped me adapt to fast-paced environments, and provided me with amazing learning experiences outside my comfort zone. Being able to work for a company that serves a basic need to communities instilled a sense of purpose and fulfillment in me, which made me continue to work only for brands that contribute to the attainment of the sustainable development goals (SDGs). I then ended my stint as the company’s department head of PR and sustainability to pursue further studies. Before my corporate job, I freelanced in radio, copywriting, and hosting gigs where a career in communications became of interest.
I am currently an MBA candidate in Phoenix, Arizona (class of ’23) and work as a part-time branding consultant to local and international brands ranging from corporate entities and food and beverage to retail and non-governmental organizations. I do back-end work by giving advice to clients and providing them with the necessary design thinking tools and frameworks in establishing their brand identity. I thrive under pressure and enjoy the mix of being in the business development space while doing creative projects on the side. This setup provides me with a great balance in dealing with work, studies, and hobbies involving the arts.
Although I have so much more to learn and experience in my line of work, one of my key realizations is that we are all capable of exploring other pursuits based on our skills and passions. Venturing into the unknown can be quite daunting, but it is essential for growth. Juggling multiple endeavors really is challenging but if you can focus and prioritize well, you will be surprised by what you can achieve. It is also important to forge lasting relationships with those who impart knowledge and help drive career growth such as having a mentor, and surrounding yourself with a reliable support system to guide you in building your career track—one step at a time.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Phoenix is a melting pot of Southwestern culture and the arts. It radiates a unique blend of desert landscapes and contemporary influences all around the city. I’d recommend the following hotspots for a great travel itinerary:
Nature and otherworldly landscapes:
Road trip to the Navajo Nation – Upper & Lower Antelope Canyon and Sedona
Camelback Mountain
Botanical Garden
Arts and Culture:
Phoenix Art Museum
Art Walk at Old Town Scottsdale and Roosevelt Row
Taliesin West – Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation
Dining:
Agritopia Complex for farm-to-table restaurant options, cafes, and a speakeasy tiki bar
Maple & Ash
Queen Creek Olive Mill
Downtown Phoenix brunch spots and Futuro – my favourite coffee shop/art showroom
Shopping:
Kierland Commons
Fashion Square Scottsdale
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to give a shoutout to my loved ones: Loi, Tony, Anton, Capuno-Betia family, Jenny Yaker, Kelli and Aaron Chiu, Carlos Pagdanganan, Lizelle Naval, Bobby and Cindee Kanapi, my close friends and support groups, academe instructors from university and grad school, especially to my faculty advisors—Professors Andy and Eve for this nomination. My mentors from the Metro Pacific group, Cannes Creative Academy ‘22, and colleagues from various industries and NGOs. I will always be grateful for your unwavering support.
Connect with Samie:
Instagram: @_samieb
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/samanthabetia