July 24, 2025 • 34 mins
What happens when you tell your academic advisor you "just want to travel the world and get paid for it"? For Skye Sherman, it launched a successful career as a travel writer and journalist whose bylines appear in Travel + Leisure, Southern Living, US News and World Report and Palm Beach Illustrated.
In this fascinating conversation, Skye reveals how she transformed from an undeclared college major to a respected voice in travel journalism. Rather than following a traditional career path, she created her own way forward, initially thinking she wanted to be a travel influencer before discovering her true passion for writing for established publications. "I've been making it up as I go," she admits, yet her approach has clearly worked.
Today, Skye has cultivated relationships with editors who regularly assign her stories while still pitching her own ideas. She writes Palm Beach Illustrated's "New and Now" section, contributes Florida and cruise content to major travel publications, and occasionally takes on lucrative content marketing projects. All while pursuing her ambitious personal goal of visiting every country in the world by age 60 (she's currently at about 51 countries).
We dive into Skye's organizational strategies (she's "obsessively organized" with a non-negotiable inbox zero policy), her advice for PR professionals (pitch in the exact style of headlines she already writes), and her surprising background as a pilot who earned her license at 18. She also shares memorable destinations, including Michigan's car-free Mackinac Island and her recent sailing adventure through the British Virgin Islands.
For aspiring travel writers, Skye offers candid advice based on her own journey, including what she might have done differently. This conversation provides a rare glimpse into the life of a successful travel journalist and shows how passion, persistence and organization can build a career that spans the globe.
Connect with Skye at Skye@SkyeSherman.com; IG: @skyesherman; FB: Skye Sherman and LinkedIn.
Please take a moment to rate, review and subscribe to the Media in Minutes podcast here or anywhere you get your podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/media-in-minutes/id1555710662
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Angela Tuell (00:05):
Welcome to Media in Minutes.
This is your host, Angela Tuell.
This podcast features in-depthinterviews with those who report
on the world around us.
They share everything fromtheir favorite stories to what
happened behind the lens andgive us a glimpse into their
world From our studio here atCommunications Redefined.
This is Media in Minutes.
Today, we're talking with SkyeSherman.
(00:31):
Skye is a freelance travelwriter, journalist and editor
whose work has appeared innational outlets like Southern
Living, travel and Leisure, usNews and World Report, palm
Beach Illustrated and manyothers.
Based in Florida, she coverseverything from local hidden
gems to internationaldestinations.
Skye is passionate abouttelling stories that connect and
(00:52):
inspire, whether she's writingabout luxury hotels, cruises or
the top trending destination.
Hello Skye, thank you forjoining us today.
Skye Sherman (01:02):
Thanks so much for having me.
I'm happy to be here.
Angela Tuell (01:05):
Yes, let's start from the beginning.
How did you first get intowriting in journalism?
Was this always your path ordid it evolve over time?
Skye Sherman (01:16):
Every time somebody asks me this, I tell
them the same thing, which isthat I don't really know.
I just have been making it upas I go.
It kind of all started I'vealways loved to travel, traveled
with my parents throughout mychildhood and everything, and I
was in college and I stayedundecided like undeclared major
(01:40):
as long as I could, and then, Ithink after sophomore year, my
academic advisor said you reallyhave to declare a major now and
I just didn't know what Iwanted to do.
I feel like I still don't knowwhat I want to do, but I joked
with her in a meeting one time Ijust want to travel the world
(02:00):
and get paid for it.
I kind of said it flippantlylike the world and get paid for
it.
You know, I kind of said itflippantly like, oh, you know,
that would be the dream.
And she looked at me and said,okay, people do that.
You know, you're smart, you'rea great writer, why couldn't you
do that?
And I was like I don't know, Inever thought about it.
So, you know, and it's notreally clear, there's not a
(02:25):
clear career path for you know,maybe becoming a travel
journalist or a writer or a TVhost or any of those things.
So it's not like you can majorin that exactly.
There's just sort of adjacentfields like journalism and you
know press and communications,things like that, and you know
(02:46):
press and communications, thingslike that.
So after that I ended updeclaring an English major which
, looking back, I probablyshould have studied journalism.
That would have been a littlemore applicable to what I ended
up doing.
But studied English gave me areally strong base in, you know,
research and critical thinkingand reading and writing and just
sort of soft skills I guess youcould call them.
(03:09):
And from there, you know, justwriting had always come
naturally to me, and not reallycreative writing.
I've never been someone who,you know, writes stories or
things like that, but more soreporting and research, and just
like essays more than poems, ifthat makes sense, okay, yeah.
(03:31):
So I, yeah, basically justgraduated college.
My husband and I.
We got married in college.
So I had a husband when Igraduated college, we moved out
of our apartment and just sortof left to travel the world and
live out of our suitcases.
And then, as I went that was in2016, when I graduated college
(03:56):
which was sort of the height ofInstagram and influencing and
that sort of thing.
It was really coming to like ahead of, you know, travel
inspiration.
So I thought what I wanted todo is be sort of like an
Instagrammer and a blogger.
So as we went, I, you know,documented our travels and
(04:17):
posted about the wholeeverything on Instagram and
wrote blogs and stuff.
But I quickly realized I did notwant to be a blogger or, you
know, make my own outlet, Iguess you could say.
I realized pretty quickly thatI wanted to write for
established outlets instead andsort of be published there.
So kind of switched gears alittle bit and I don't know,
(04:41):
just started pitching, pitching,pitching and I would, you know,
go on press trips and meeteditors and just sort of, like I
said, made it up as I went andfound opportunities to write for
bigger and bigger outlets and,yeah, just sort of built on
itself from there over the pastalmost 10 years.
(05:03):
Looking back, I feel like itwas last year.
Angela Tuell (05:07):
Right and you've become very successful at it.
What does?
Your current work look like youknow what outlets are you
writing for more often or whattype of articles.
Skye Sherman (05:18):
Yeah.
So right now you know I hate tosay it, I wouldn't call it lazy
, I haven't gotten lazy.
I do still have to pitch a lot,but I've really sort of settled
into like a rhythm and regularoutlets that I contribute to and
sort of letting work come to merather than always pitching,
(05:39):
pitching, pitching.
So I have been writing the newand now section for Palm Beach
Illustrated since 2019, which isa print magazine, a local,
regional luxury lifestylemagazine in South Florida where
I live, and I absolutely lovethat.
It's a beautiful magazine.
(06:00):
The team is so talented.
I've I actually interned therein college and I've always loved
writing for them.
So that section is really funfor me because I get to
incorporate, you know, thecommunity where I live and get
to know what's going on andwhat's new and now and things
like that around here.
And it's print work which Ireally really love and write
(06:24):
that section and occasionalfeatures and sometimes travel
content for them as well.
But so that's sort of like thelifestyle writing side of things
.
And then in travel, my mostfrequent, I guess, outlets right
now are Travel and LeisureOnline and Southern Living
(06:45):
Online.
Those are both under the dotdash Meredith umbrella, so
they're sort of like sisterpublications in a way.
I do a lot of travel news,florida content, southern
content, some travel forSouthern Living as well, though
(07:06):
obviously travel leisure iswhere I do most of the travel
writing.
I also write for US News andWorld Report pretty frequently
doing cruise articles andreviews, and then I would say
those are my sort of maindrivers, and when I say you know
, I've gotten lazy, like I have,you know, my regular editors
(07:29):
that I work with there, whooftentimes come to me with
assignments and sometimes I'mpaying them too.
But it's sort of a mix ofpitching and just sort of being
assigned things that are in mywheelhouse and then I also work
on, you know, the occasionalcontent marketing assignments,
(07:52):
blogs, guides, things like that.
A lot of those are usuallywithout a byline but they pay
really well.
So yes yeah, it's sort of a mixof everything.
And then, you know, sometimesI'm pitching new outlets as well
, but I would say those are likeless frequent, not not really
an ongoing contributorrelationship, but OK yeah that's
(08:17):
pretty nice when you get intothe situation where don't have
to hustle as much.
Exactly, I really prefer it.
And you know, having thoserelationships with editors is
amazing, but you know it's justnot always the case, especially
when there's just new ideas I'mhaving or places I want to go
and and stories I want to place.
(08:37):
So it's still a mix of pitchingand stuff, but not as heavy of
a hustle.
It wasn't the beginning whenI'm was still really trying to
get a name for myself and getbigger and bigger bylines.
Angela Tuell (08:51):
So yeah, yeah, do you have any?
I don't want to say maybefavorites not the right word but
any stories.
Recently you've really enjoyedwriting.
Skye Sherman (09:02):
Yeah, actually, what comes to mind is I wrote a.
This is not my usual at allbecause I'm really not a food
writer, but I wrote a articlefor Southern Living on my mom's
key lime pie.
You know, recipe secrets, Iguess you could call it okay.
(09:26):
Um, let me see the title.
Yeah, the head was my mom's, athird generation Floridian, and
she just spilled the secret herkey lime pie.
Um, and it's not really arecipe article but just a little
bit of a story and like hersecrets to an authentic Florida
key lime pie, which was just funbecause it's it's just sort of,
(09:47):
you know, capturing somethingthat's important to me and my
family and my home state.
I'm a fourth generationFloridian.
I just I really really loveFlorida and living here and
being from here, so it was justspecial to sort of get to
capture that and, you know, askmy mom for her insight for a
story which is, like I said, notmy usual kind of writing, but
(10:11):
it was just fun to sort ofcapture that and came out cute
and it was just like a specialarticle to have.
Angela Tuell (10:17):
But yeah, so that was that was a.
Skye Sherman (10:20):
That was a recent fun favorite.
Angela Tuell (10:23):
I love that, and how often are you traveling?
Skye Sherman (10:29):
I would say I've slowed down a bit, been sticking
closer to home.
The past couple years myhusband has been growing a
beverage company that he startedcalled Breeze and it's just
really really taken off likewildfire.
So yeah, travel gets a littlebit more complicated because we
(10:51):
really prefer to travel togetherand see new places together,
but it's just a little moreinterruptive than it used to be
as we've gotten older and sortof started this beverage company
.
So I still probably travel on amonthly basis.
I would say I travel prettyfrequently, especially compared
(11:14):
to, you know, friends and familywho don't travel a lot.
But I'm slowing down andthey're like, doesn't?
look like it to me.
But I have a goal to visitevery country in the world
during my lifetime and I need toaverage about five new
countries per year to hit all ofthem by age 60.
(11:35):
So I'm still, you know, goingas much as I can, and sometimes
there's just, you know,opportunities you can't resist
and places you just can't say noto.
So I'm prioritizing trips tocountries I haven't been to yet
when I can.
But also there's so manywonderful places that we just
love and love to return to andand just cool opportunities.
(11:59):
So Right.
Angela Tuell (12:01):
Or it takes multiple trips to see a you know
to see Right.
Or it takes multiple trips tosee a play you know to see an
entire country, exactly.
Skye Sherman (12:20):
So I, you know, still traveling pretty often,
but I would say I'm not, youknow, because it's just, it's
just more of a, not a hassle,but it's just more of a you know
undertaking now, and especiallyif my husband's coming, because
it just kind of affects, youknow, the work thing and we do
work on the road as well, we canwork remotely and do everything
(12:40):
from our computers, but youknow he has a team of like 50
people under him, so it justaffects things.
So, yeah, yes, definitely.
Angela Tuell (12:51):
How do you, besides being a country you
haven't been to, how else do you, decide if you should take a
hosted trip or not, likeanything you prefer?
Skye Sherman (12:58):
Yeah, honestly, that's sort of my priority right
now.
Like I said, trips to countriesI haven't been to yet.
but yeah other than that.
Sometimes it's just a reallygreat opportunity or a really
cool itinerary that seems, likeyou know, really aligned with
(13:18):
what I write about or want towrite about.
Sometimes I I get assigned atrip from an editor, which I
love to take those, because it'sjust like so cut and dry, clear
cut, like go on this, writeabout this, and you know I
really prefer that.
Or sometimes, you know, like Isaid, it's just a really unique
(13:40):
opportunity or something reallyluxurious or like hey, I'm going
to fly you here on businessclass or a private jet or
something.
I'm like, you know, I justcan't say no to that.
So it just depends.
I would say you really uniqueor once in a lifetime
experiences or anything tied tolike special events going on.
(14:04):
Like you know, maybe it's aonce a year, once in a lifetime
sort of thing.
That kind of stuff I I canalways find a fit for and love
to.
You know, make space for that.
Angela Tuell (14:16):
So yeah, have you um.
So how many countries have youbeen to then now so far?
I?
Skye Sherman (14:21):
think I'm like 51, 52.
I need to check my app.
I keep track of it in an appcalled Ben B-E-E-N.
But yeah, it's a great littleapp I've never heard of that one
yeah.
I'm at like 50 something.
So yeah, like I said, Irealized if I do five a year,
which is really doable.
(14:42):
I can visit all of them by age60, which is still so young, so
that's my goal.
Angela Tuell (14:49):
That's a great goal.
I love it.
Are there any destinationsyou've been to that you've
really and I'm sure you'veenjoyed most of them, but any?
That stand out to you or youknow favorites.
Skye Sherman (15:01):
You know I get asked this question a lot.
I feel like my answer isdifferent every time.
It just depends what's on thebrain or what's fresh, but right
now I'm really excited about anupcoming return to Mackinac
Island in northern Michigan.
It's a really unique place thatI kept going to.
Oh, have you?
Yeah?
Yeah, it's so special to me.
(15:24):
My family has history theresince, like I don't know, the
50s maybe, so it's somewhere Igrew up going and has just
always been really nostalgic andspecial to me.
And for anyone who hasn't beenthere, the main appeal of it is
it's a tiny island with no cars,and the only way to get around
(15:47):
is horse-drawn carriage orbicycles or your own two feet
yes, so it smells like horse,yeah yes, it does.
It smells like horse and fudge,because the main street is lined
with fudge shops.
It's like the home of fudge orlike the capital of fudge, I
don't know, but um, it's just somagical and it's really only
(16:11):
open and accessible during thesummer.
Um, they have a lilac festivalevery june.
I think that's going on now orjust happened, um, but the whole
island blooms with lilacs andit's just magical, like it's a
storybook.
Um, anyway, just finishedplanning a trip there at the end
of july.
(16:31):
Um, and that was just personal,not really working or on
assignment, you know, just sortof did our own plan with that.
My husband and I are going andalso my mom, so that'll be
really fun.
Um, also just returned fromsailing the british virgin
islands, which was an incredibletrip.
We went with dream yachtworldwide and they do sailboat
(16:54):
vacation charters yes, we workedtogether on that.
Yes yes and truly, though I havetold everyone about it because
it was amazing.
It's my like I've alwaysdreamed of learning to sail, but
now I really, now I'm likereally on it, yeah, exactly.
Angela Tuell (17:19):
But it is pretty nice.
The charter that you were on is, you know, has a skipper.
Skye Sherman (17:22):
It's pretty nice to also be that driven.
Angela Tuell (17:25):
I'm a little torn.
It's pretty nice to also bethat driven to be voted around.
Skye Sherman (17:27):
I'm a little torn.
Yeah, I'm like well, I want tolearn to sail, just to say I can
, but do I actually want to besailing myself?
No, I think like having acaptain and a chef on board is
probably the way to go and, likeyou know, sail on occasion when
you want, but not have to belike in charge of it all the
time.
Angela Tuell (17:45):
Yes, yes, but not have to be like in charge of it
all the time, yes, yes andbelieve it, or?
Not.
The thing, you know, that wassurprising to me when we started
working with them is howaccessible.
It is affordable really.
Yeah, yeah.
Skye Sherman (17:55):
That's what shocked me and has shocked
everyone.
I told about this trip becausepeople look at you know, sailing
through the British VirginIslands for a week with a cat
and chef and think that must be.
I'm sure it's nice, but itsounds unattainable.
And when I tell people theprice and how affordable and
(18:16):
accessible, it is.
Angela Tuell (18:17):
They're like what, yeah, yeah and it really
depends.
But just for those listening,if you're interested, it's.
I mean it can start at $1,200 aperson, it depends on boat and
charters, you know, and all ofthat, but for a week.
Skye Sherman (18:26):
For a week and your food, and you're on the
islands and you're staying onthis boat like sure it's a
little, you're not like?
On a yacht or something, but itwas truly amazing.
I, I loved it.
I would go on like a sailboatevery week, so that was.
That was a really so that was areally standout favorite recent
(18:55):
destination.
Angela Tuell (18:56):
So I keep rambling to everyone who asked me about
the British Virgin Islands.
Skye Sherman (19:03):
So, with everything that you've mentioned
all the different roles youplay, the traveling.
How do you stay organized whenyou're juggling all of that?
This is such a funny questionfor me because I am just like,
really known in my friend groupsand family for being so type A,
organized and obsessive aboutthis.
I just can't.
I can't function if thingsaren't organized Like inbox.
(19:25):
Zero is a non-negotiable for me.
I am obsessively organized inGoogle Docs and my calendar and
my notes app.
I write everything down, I setreminders.
I just don't give anything tochance or relying on my brain to
keep it all in there.
It's like immediately it getswritten down and out of my brain
(19:46):
or it I will not remember so100%.
Angela Tuell (19:51):
Sometimes I worry if that is made will make my
memory worse.
I don't rely on it.
Skye Sherman (19:57):
Yeah, same.
Maybe it's not the best, butI'm the one who's always like
making a schedule and anitinerary and writing down all
the details of a trip in oneplace, like yes.
I I don't know, I've just alwaysbeen that way.
I can't function any other way.
So it's not really.
It's not really.
(20:17):
It doesn't feel like a choicefor me, it just feels like how
my brain works.
Um so, and it's just a lot tojuggle.
I do a lot.
I'm always handling thelogistics and details and admin
side of things you know,personally and professionally,
and I just I do a lot ofdifferent things within my own
(20:38):
career and travel writing, butjust also outside of it as well,
like I help with my husband'scompanies and I sort of handle
like the home admin tasks.
Like that is all me.
So it just, it just has to beorganized or it will be a big
cluster.
Angela Tuell (20:56):
Yeah, there's no way to do it.
If you don't, I don't know howanyone could do it.
No, I can't.
Yeah, yeah.
Skye Sherman (21:02):
And I'm just not laid back enough to like, not
care like or let things fallthrough the cracks.
Like somehow other people, itjust works for them.
Yes, unfortunately that justdoes not work for me, but it
sounds really nice.
I'm jealous.
Angela Tuell (21:15):
I am, the same way , Talking a little bit.
You know our audience is a lotof PR professionals Talking a
little bit about us, or themtalking a little bit about us or
them.
What makes, you know, a pitchstand out to you?
Or, you know, can you think ofsomething that was really caught
your attention or helpful, orany?
(21:36):
You know, pet peeves or kind ofthings that PR pros do that are
not helpful.
Skye Sherman (21:41):
Okay.
So obviously it's like you know, asking just for, I just need
the perfect thing at the perfecttime in the perfect way.
So, just read my mind.
I'm just kidding.
But, um, you know a well-timedpitch that's actually relevant
to me and what I write.
It can be hard to land but,like I said, the perfect pitch
(22:04):
at the perfect time, helping meland in new outlets or helping
me land stories because that'salso my goal is great.
I'd say.
A piece of advice or like agood rule of thumb is pitch in
the exact style of the headlineor story you hope to land,
because if you can envision it,then me, my editor probably can
(22:28):
too, which probably meansthere's a fit On the flip side.
If you have a heart in figuringout how to make it work, then I
probably will too.
And at the end of the day, wekind of have the same goal PR
professionals want coverage fortheir clients and I want to
write those stories and work andmany.
So you know, it's like kind ofseeing what I write and the sort
(22:55):
of headlines I write andstories I write and topics I
cover.
If you have a story that's likeyou know a carbon copy of one
of those, but different, or youknow a different destination or
a different topic, it'llprobably work if that makes
sense.
So if it's something reallysimilar to what I already write,
(23:18):
then I can probably.
You know I know how to.
I know how to do that again.
I know how to land that again.
Obviously, outlets don't want alot of the same story written
again and again, but they dohave a certain style or tone or
type of story that they publishand if it is aligned with that
(23:41):
and if I've written stories likethat, then it's probably going
to work all around.
But on the flip side, if it'slike I don't really know how
this works or you guys neverwrite things like this, then
it's probably not going to work.
You kind of asked like a petpeeve.
So I will say one of my petpeeves.
(24:03):
I don't know if this is everywriter or just me, but I really
don't like to be asked what I'mworking on right now because I
don't really know.
This question is so open-endedand vague and requires like
effort on my part to like stopand think about it and be like I
(24:24):
don't know and formulate aresponse and like list all out
and all like.
So I just usually don't respondto that sort of email.
I don't really have like a listgoing of what I'm working on,
like maybe some writers do, butI just for me, I'm working on
whatever an editor assigns to me, and it's usually on a short
(24:46):
deadline and I don't really haveit, you know, like all figured
out in advance.
Like, hey, I'm working on these10 topics, like, do you have
anything that works for that?
Maybe some writer's workflow islike that and it sounds really
nice to be that organized likeyou know, and it sounds really
nice to be that organized likeyou know, knowing what's going
on ahead of time.
But for me it's usually likeI'm just I'm working on.
(25:10):
I don't really know.
Whatever I'm working on and if Ineed help or support, what I
usually do is search my inboxfor things relevant to that and
I'll reach out.
So a lot of times it's likemaybe I don't answer emails, but
(25:32):
then I'm searching thatdestination or hotel or topic in
my inbox.
Later I end up reaching out andgetting in touch.
So it's kind of the same asreading a magazine cover to
cover before pitching for it,like look at what they publish,
look at what I publish, and thenyou know recently and get a
feel for what I'm working on.
And then, if it's, you know, inthat same vein, then I'm
probably doing things similar tothat, if that makes sense.
Angela Tuell (25:57):
Yeah, that's a great tip.
I've never asked that questionbecause I talk to myself.
How would I answer that?
You know what?
I mean Like list a millionthings.
Skye Sherman (26:05):
Yeah, it's like I don't know a lot, but it takes
more time for me to like sitthere and like tell you I'm
working Like I don't know, butI'll reach out if I'm fine, that
I'm working on something thatyou can help with, but otherwise
I just really don't answer that.
And I get yeah, I get themotivation behind that question.
(26:25):
I don't fault anyone for askingit, but I just it's just like
not an email.
I tend to answer.
Angela Tuell (26:31):
so no, that's good to know, and our job is to make
your job easier too, not harder.
Skye Sherman (26:37):
Exactly exactly.
Angela Tuell (26:39):
If you could go back to, maybe, college students
, guy, you know what is onepiece of advice you would give.
Skye Sherman (26:47):
So I thought about this question and I, you know
it's sort of all worked outpretty well.
So I hate to say like I wouldchange anything, but I kind of
touched on this earlier.
I think if go back, I wouldmajor in journalism or study
(27:18):
journalism, just so I had thatlike foundation of learning the
basics and, you know, orlearning the textbook approach,
I guess, to this field.
It's something I've sort oftaught myself, I guess, because
I didn't study it in college andI mean it's worked out fine and
also, you know, interning at amagazine helped.
But I would say sometimes Ithink I would have more
confidence if I had majored injournalism because I would know
like yes, I know exactly whatI'm doing, this is the steps,
(27:41):
like this is I'm doing it right,and half the time now I'm like
exactly what I'm doing, this isthe steps, like this is I'm
doing it right, and half thetime now I'm like I just worry
like oh, maybe I'm missingsomething, or like maybe I
interview wrong or you know sothings like that.
So I would say majoring injournalism would have probably
been helpful, just so I knew thefundamentals.
(28:02):
But I've learned them on myfeet and on the job, I guess.
But I, yeah, that would I alsofind myself now that I'm in my
early thirties.
I look back and I'm like Ireally wish I had done an
internship in New York City andjust sort of gotten that New
(28:22):
York City publishing, journalismexposure firsthand.
I end up working with a lot ofNew York-based publications and
people and love being there, butjust kind of wish I had that
early 20s, you know, young,scrappy internship sort of
experience.
So a little more time in NewYork City and maybe some
(28:45):
journalism studies would havebeen helpful.
But I've kind of self educatedas I go and, you know, traveled
all around.
So I would say it's.
You know I'm not, I don'tregret it, but that could have
been helpful.
Angela Tuell (29:01):
Yeah, and I went to journalism school and was a
TV reporter for a few years inthe beginning of my career, but
then when I moved into PR, itwas the same way, though.
Oh, I wish I would have youknow.
Do I need to go back to schoolfor public relations Cause?
Skye Sherman (29:13):
I don't know what I'm doing.
You know, yeah, it's like youknow what you're doing, but then
you second guess yourself andyou're like maybe I don't know
what I'm doing.
Like maybe I'm missing a reallykey ingredient and I just don't
even know that I'm missing it.
Angela Tuell (29:25):
No, no, but you're right.
In PR there's something calledthe accreditation in PR, so then
in public relations.
So then I did that and didrealize I was doing it right.
But here's what it's called.
That's amazing.
Skye Sherman (29:36):
Now you just like have a piece of paper that you
can be confident Like okay yes.
I certified, know what I'mdoing.
Angela Tuell (29:43):
Right, and I don't think they don't have that in
journalism really.
Skye Sherman (29:45):
No, but before we go.
Angela Tuell (29:49):
I must ask you about being a pilot and
receiving your license at 18.
So what led to that, and howoften do you fly?
Skye Sherman (30:00):
I am ashamed to admit I do not fly very often
anymore.
I'm not current, but I need toget current.
I really have a reason not to,other than it's a little less
convenient now than it was.
When I was growing up.
I grew up on an airstrip and mydad was a pilot, not for his
job, just for his hobby.
(30:22):
It was like his passion and heloved it.
So I grew up in really anaviation community, an aviation
family, and my dad had everycertification under the sun, I
guess a pilot, with all thecertifications you can get,
(30:43):
including his instructor rating,which means that he could teach
and certify others to be apilot.
So I was entering my senior yearof high school, or maybe after
junior year, and I realized I'mgoing away to college next year,
I am moving away from home andI don't have any plans to come
(31:05):
back, so I should really takeadvantage of learning my
parents' skill sets while I'm athome.
So all year, long after that, Iwould cook with my mom.
She kind of taught me to cookall year because she's an
incredible chef, not for a jobagain, but just because she
(31:26):
loves to cook and be in thekitchen and learn to fly with my
dad, so that was really special.
He ended up passing away in2015.
So, especially looking backlike I just really really value
all that time we spent and thatexperience.
So he taught me to fly allthroughout my senior year of
(31:46):
high school I don't know if Isaid college or high school, but
I meant high school, and alsoone of his friends who is a
doctor.
I learned from him as well, soended up doing all my hours and
training and then, the summerafter I graduated, was ready to
(32:06):
take my test and do my checkrideand, yeah, ended up getting my
pilot's license when I was 18,after I graduated high school,
and I still can fly.
You know, you don't lose it,you just need to get current
again.
I definitely would want to takea little bit of a refresher
(32:29):
before, you know, fully gettingup in the air again, but I, yeah
, I need to, I need to get backup there, but I love it and it's
something that you know, isreally, really special to me and
was just a really funachievement, I guess, to do so.
It's something I love, like thefreedom of being able to, yeah,
(32:50):
fly your own plane, so it wasreally an awesome experience,
especially living with my dad,like I said.
Angela Tuell (32:57):
So, yeah, how incredibly mature, or like
forward thinking too, to sayI've only got a year left here.
Let me, what can I learn frommy yeah like let me take
advantage of this so great yeah,yeah.
Well, thank you for sharingthat.
How can our listeners bestconnect with you online?
Um?
Skye Sherman (33:17):
Instagram is probably the best place.
Best place I handle.
There is just my name at SkyeSherman.
I also am a little active onFacebook and like X and things
like that, but Instagram is moreso daily place that I am active
(33:38):
.
Great, and yeah, not reallyLinkedIn or any of the others.
Angela Tuell (33:43):
I'm not very up to date there.
There's too many yeah.
Skye Sherman (33:44):
Um and yeah, not really LinkedIn or any of the
others.
Angela Tuell (33:47):
Not very uh up to date there, but too many.
Skye Sherman (33:48):
Yeah, exactly, I can't keep up with it all, even
if grandma's a job.
Angela Tuell (33:52):
So right, right.
Well, we will link to those inour show notes.
Thank you so much.
Thanks for having me.
That's all for this episode ofmedia and minutesutes a podcast
by Communications Redefined.
Take a moment to rate, reviewand subscribe to our show.
We'd love to hear what youthink you can find more at
communicationsredefined.
com/ podcast.
(34:14):
I'm your host, Angela Tuell.
Talk to you next time.
Welcome to Media in Minutes.
This is your host, Angela Tuell.
This podcast features in-depthinterviews with those who report
on the world around us.
They share everything fromtheir favorite stories to what
happened behind the lens andgive us a glimpse into their
world From our studio here atCommunications Redefined.
This is Media in Minutes.
Today, we're talking with SkyeSherman.
(00:31):
Skye is a freelance travelwriter, journalist and editor
whose work has appeared innational outlets like Southern
Living, travel and Leisure, usNews and World Report, palm
Beach Illustrated and manyothers.
Based in Florida, she coverseverything from local hidden
gems to internationaldestinations.
Skye is passionate abouttelling stories that connect and
(00:52):
inspire, whether she's writingabout luxury hotels, cruises or
the top trending destination.
Hello Skye, thank you forjoining us today.
Skye Sherman (01:02):
Thanks so much for having me.
I'm happy to be here.
Angela Tuell (01:05):
Yes, let's start from the beginning.
How did you first get intowriting in journalism?
Was this always your path ordid it evolve over time?
Skye Sherman (01:16):
Every time somebody asks me this, I tell
them the same thing, which isthat I don't really know.
I just have been making it upas I go.
It kind of all started I'vealways loved to travel, traveled
with my parents throughout mychildhood and everything, and I
was in college and I stayedundecided like undeclared major
(01:40):
as long as I could, and then, Ithink after sophomore year, my
academic advisor said you reallyhave to declare a major now and
I just didn't know what Iwanted to do.
I feel like I still don't knowwhat I want to do, but I joked
with her in a meeting one time Ijust want to travel the world
(02:00):
and get paid for it.
I kind of said it flippantlylike the world and get paid for
it.
You know, I kind of said itflippantly like, oh, you know,
that would be the dream.
And she looked at me and said,okay, people do that.
You know, you're smart, you'rea great writer, why couldn't you
do that?
And I was like I don't know, Inever thought about it.
So, you know, and it's notreally clear, there's not a
(02:25):
clear career path for you know,maybe becoming a travel
journalist or a writer or a TVhost or any of those things.
So it's not like you can majorin that exactly.
There's just sort of adjacentfields like journalism and you
know press and communications,things like that, and you know
(02:46):
press and communications, thingslike that.
So after that I ended updeclaring an English major which
, looking back, I probablyshould have studied journalism.
That would have been a littlemore applicable to what I ended
up doing.
But studied English gave me areally strong base in, you know,
research and critical thinkingand reading and writing and just
sort of soft skills I guess youcould call them.
(03:09):
And from there, you know, justwriting had always come
naturally to me, and not reallycreative writing.
I've never been someone who,you know, writes stories or
things like that, but more soreporting and research, and just
like essays more than poems, ifthat makes sense, okay, yeah.
(03:31):
So I, yeah, basically justgraduated college.
My husband and I.
We got married in college.
So I had a husband when Igraduated college, we moved out
of our apartment and just sortof left to travel the world and
live out of our suitcases.
And then, as I went that was in2016, when I graduated college
(03:56):
which was sort of the height ofInstagram and influencing and
that sort of thing.
It was really coming to like ahead of, you know, travel
inspiration.
So I thought what I wanted todo is be sort of like an
Instagrammer and a blogger.
So as we went, I, you know,documented our travels and
(04:17):
posted about the wholeeverything on Instagram and
wrote blogs and stuff.
But I quickly realized I did notwant to be a blogger or, you
know, make my own outlet, Iguess you could say.
I realized pretty quickly thatI wanted to write for
established outlets instead andsort of be published there.
So kind of switched gears alittle bit and I don't know,
(04:41):
just started pitching, pitching,pitching and I would, you know,
go on press trips and meeteditors and just sort of, like I
said, made it up as I went andfound opportunities to write for
bigger and bigger outlets and,yeah, just sort of built on
itself from there over the pastalmost 10 years.
(05:03):
Looking back, I feel like itwas last year.
Angela Tuell (05:07):
Right and you've become very successful at it.
What does?
Your current work look like youknow what outlets are you
writing for more often or whattype of articles.
Skye Sherman (05:18):
Yeah.
So right now you know I hate tosay it, I wouldn't call it lazy
, I haven't gotten lazy.
I do still have to pitch a lot,but I've really sort of settled
into like a rhythm and regularoutlets that I contribute to and
sort of letting work come to merather than always pitching,
(05:39):
pitching, pitching.
So I have been writing the newand now section for Palm Beach
Illustrated since 2019, which isa print magazine, a local,
regional luxury lifestylemagazine in South Florida where
I live, and I absolutely lovethat.
It's a beautiful magazine.
(06:00):
The team is so talented.
I've I actually interned therein college and I've always loved
writing for them.
So that section is really funfor me because I get to
incorporate, you know, thecommunity where I live and get
to know what's going on andwhat's new and now and things
like that around here.
And it's print work which Ireally really love and write
(06:24):
that section and occasionalfeatures and sometimes travel
content for them as well.
But so that's sort of like thelifestyle writing side of things
.
And then in travel, my mostfrequent, I guess, outlets right
now are Travel and LeisureOnline and Southern Living
(06:45):
Online.
Those are both under the dotdash Meredith umbrella, so
they're sort of like sisterpublications in a way.
I do a lot of travel news,florida content, southern
content, some travel forSouthern Living as well, though
(07:06):
obviously travel leisure iswhere I do most of the travel
writing.
I also write for US News andWorld Report pretty frequently
doing cruise articles andreviews, and then I would say
those are my sort of maindrivers, and when I say you know
, I've gotten lazy, like I have,you know, my regular editors
(07:29):
that I work with there, whooftentimes come to me with
assignments and sometimes I'mpaying them too.
But it's sort of a mix ofpitching and just sort of being
assigned things that are in mywheelhouse and then I also work
on, you know, the occasionalcontent marketing assignments,
(07:52):
blogs, guides, things like that.
A lot of those are usuallywithout a byline but they pay
really well.
So yes yeah, it's sort of a mixof everything.
And then, you know, sometimesI'm pitching new outlets as well
, but I would say those are likeless frequent, not not really
an ongoing contributorrelationship, but OK yeah that's
(08:17):
pretty nice when you get intothe situation where don't have
to hustle as much.
Exactly, I really prefer it.
And you know, having thoserelationships with editors is
amazing, but you know it's justnot always the case, especially
when there's just new ideas I'mhaving or places I want to go
and and stories I want to place.
(08:37):
So it's still a mix of pitchingand stuff, but not as heavy of
a hustle.
It wasn't the beginning whenI'm was still really trying to
get a name for myself and getbigger and bigger bylines.
Angela Tuell (08:51):
So yeah, yeah, do you have any?
I don't want to say maybefavorites not the right word but
any stories.
Recently you've really enjoyedwriting.
Skye Sherman (09:02):
Yeah, actually, what comes to mind is I wrote a.
This is not my usual at allbecause I'm really not a food
writer, but I wrote a articlefor Southern Living on my mom's
key lime pie.
You know, recipe secrets, Iguess you could call it okay.
(09:26):
Um, let me see the title.
Yeah, the head was my mom's, athird generation Floridian, and
she just spilled the secret herkey lime pie.
Um, and it's not really arecipe article but just a little
bit of a story and like hersecrets to an authentic Florida
key lime pie, which was just funbecause it's it's just sort of,
(09:47):
you know, capturing somethingthat's important to me and my
family and my home state.
I'm a fourth generationFloridian.
I just I really really loveFlorida and living here and
being from here, so it was justspecial to sort of get to
capture that and, you know, askmy mom for her insight for a
story which is, like I said, notmy usual kind of writing, but
(10:11):
it was just fun to sort ofcapture that and came out cute
and it was just like a specialarticle to have.
Angela Tuell (10:17):
But yeah, so that was that was a.
Skye Sherman (10:20):
That was a recent fun favorite.
Angela Tuell (10:23):
I love that, and how often are you traveling?
Skye Sherman (10:29):
I would say I've slowed down a bit, been sticking
closer to home.
The past couple years myhusband has been growing a
beverage company that he startedcalled Breeze and it's just
really really taken off likewildfire.
So yeah, travel gets a littlebit more complicated because we
(10:51):
really prefer to travel togetherand see new places together,
but it's just a little moreinterruptive than it used to be
as we've gotten older and sortof started this beverage company
.
So I still probably travel on amonthly basis.
I would say I travel prettyfrequently, especially compared
(11:14):
to, you know, friends and familywho don't travel a lot.
But I'm slowing down andthey're like, doesn't?
look like it to me.
But I have a goal to visitevery country in the world
during my lifetime and I need toaverage about five new
countries per year to hit all ofthem by age 60.
(11:35):
So I'm still, you know, goingas much as I can, and sometimes
there's just, you know,opportunities you can't resist
and places you just can't say noto.
So I'm prioritizing trips tocountries I haven't been to yet
when I can.
But also there's so manywonderful places that we just
love and love to return to andand just cool opportunities.
(11:59):
So Right.
Angela Tuell (12:01):
Or it takes multiple trips to see a you know
to see Right.
Or it takes multiple trips tosee a play you know to see an
entire country, exactly.
Skye Sherman (12:20):
So I, you know, still traveling pretty often,
but I would say I'm not, youknow, because it's just, it's
just more of a, not a hassle,but it's just more of a you know
undertaking now, and especiallyif my husband's coming, because
it just kind of affects, youknow, the work thing and we do
work on the road as well, we canwork remotely and do everything
(12:40):
from our computers, but youknow he has a team of like 50
people under him, so it justaffects things.
So, yeah, yes, definitely.
Angela Tuell (12:51):
How do you, besides being a country you
haven't been to, how else do you, decide if you should take a
hosted trip or not, likeanything you prefer?
Skye Sherman (12:58):
Yeah, honestly, that's sort of my priority right
now.
Like I said, trips to countriesI haven't been to yet.
but yeah other than that.
Sometimes it's just a reallygreat opportunity or a really
cool itinerary that seems, likeyou know, really aligned with
(13:18):
what I write about or want towrite about.
Sometimes I I get assigned atrip from an editor, which I
love to take those, because it'sjust like so cut and dry, clear
cut, like go on this, writeabout this, and you know I
really prefer that.
Or sometimes, you know, like Isaid, it's just a really unique
(13:40):
opportunity or something reallyluxurious or like hey, I'm going
to fly you here on businessclass or a private jet or
something.
I'm like, you know, I justcan't say no to that.
So it just depends.
I would say you really uniqueor once in a lifetime
experiences or anything tied tolike special events going on.
(14:04):
Like you know, maybe it's aonce a year, once in a lifetime
sort of thing.
That kind of stuff I I canalways find a fit for and love
to.
You know, make space for that.
Angela Tuell (14:16):
So yeah, have you um.
So how many countries have youbeen to then now so far?
I?
Skye Sherman (14:21):
think I'm like 51, 52.
I need to check my app.
I keep track of it in an appcalled Ben B-E-E-N.
But yeah, it's a great littleapp I've never heard of that one
yeah.
I'm at like 50 something.
So yeah, like I said, Irealized if I do five a year,
which is really doable.
(14:42):
I can visit all of them by age60, which is still so young, so
that's my goal.
Angela Tuell (14:49):
That's a great goal.
I love it.
Are there any destinationsyou've been to that you've
really and I'm sure you'veenjoyed most of them, but any?
That stand out to you or youknow favorites.
Skye Sherman (15:01):
You know I get asked this question a lot.
I feel like my answer isdifferent every time.
It just depends what's on thebrain or what's fresh, but right
now I'm really excited about anupcoming return to Mackinac
Island in northern Michigan.
It's a really unique place thatI kept going to.
Oh, have you?
Yeah?
Yeah, it's so special to me.
(15:24):
My family has history theresince, like I don't know, the
50s maybe, so it's somewhere Igrew up going and has just
always been really nostalgic andspecial to me.
And for anyone who hasn't beenthere, the main appeal of it is
it's a tiny island with no cars,and the only way to get around
(15:47):
is horse-drawn carriage orbicycles or your own two feet
yes, so it smells like horse,yeah yes, it does.
It smells like horse and fudge,because the main street is lined
with fudge shops.
It's like the home of fudge orlike the capital of fudge, I
don't know, but um, it's just somagical and it's really only
(16:11):
open and accessible during thesummer.
Um, they have a lilac festivalevery june.
I think that's going on now orjust happened, um, but the whole
island blooms with lilacs andit's just magical, like it's a
storybook.
Um, anyway, just finishedplanning a trip there at the end
of july.
(16:31):
Um, and that was just personal,not really working or on
assignment, you know, just sortof did our own plan with that.
My husband and I are going andalso my mom, so that'll be
really fun.
Um, also just returned fromsailing the british virgin
islands, which was an incredibletrip.
We went with dream yachtworldwide and they do sailboat
(16:54):
vacation charters yes, we workedtogether on that.
Yes yes and truly, though I havetold everyone about it because
it was amazing.
It's my like I've alwaysdreamed of learning to sail, but
now I really, now I'm likereally on it, yeah, exactly.
Angela Tuell (17:19):
But it is pretty nice.
The charter that you were on is, you know, has a skipper.
Skye Sherman (17:22):
It's pretty nice to also be that driven.
Angela Tuell (17:25):
I'm a little torn.
It's pretty nice to also bethat driven to be voted around.
Skye Sherman (17:27):
I'm a little torn.
Yeah, I'm like well, I want tolearn to sail, just to say I can
, but do I actually want to besailing myself?
No, I think like having acaptain and a chef on board is
probably the way to go and, likeyou know, sail on occasion when
you want, but not have to belike in charge of it all the
time.
Angela Tuell (17:45):
Yes, yes, but not have to be like in charge of it
all the time, yes, yes andbelieve it, or?
Not.
The thing, you know, that wassurprising to me when we started
working with them is howaccessible.
It is affordable really.
Yeah, yeah.
Skye Sherman (17:55):
That's what shocked me and has shocked
everyone.
I told about this trip becausepeople look at you know, sailing
through the British VirginIslands for a week with a cat
and chef and think that must be.
I'm sure it's nice, but itsounds unattainable.
And when I tell people theprice and how affordable and
(18:16):
accessible, it is.
Angela Tuell (18:17):
They're like what, yeah, yeah and it really
depends.
But just for those listening,if you're interested, it's.
I mean it can start at $1,200 aperson, it depends on boat and
charters, you know, and all ofthat, but for a week.
Skye Sherman (18:26):
For a week and your food, and you're on the
islands and you're staying onthis boat like sure it's a
little, you're not like?
On a yacht or something, but itwas truly amazing.
I, I loved it.
I would go on like a sailboatevery week, so that was.
That was a really so that was areally standout favorite recent
(18:55):
destination.
Angela Tuell (18:56):
So I keep rambling to everyone who asked me about
the British Virgin Islands.
Skye Sherman (19:03):
So, with everything that you've mentioned
all the different roles youplay, the traveling.
How do you stay organized whenyou're juggling all of that?
This is such a funny questionfor me because I am just like,
really known in my friend groupsand family for being so type A,
organized and obsessive aboutthis.
I just can't.
I can't function if thingsaren't organized Like inbox.
(19:25):
Zero is a non-negotiable for me.
I am obsessively organized inGoogle Docs and my calendar and
my notes app.
I write everything down, I setreminders.
I just don't give anything tochance or relying on my brain to
keep it all in there.
It's like immediately it getswritten down and out of my brain
(19:46):
or it I will not remember so100%.
Angela Tuell (19:51):
Sometimes I worry if that is made will make my
memory worse.
I don't rely on it.
Skye Sherman (19:57):
Yeah, same.
Maybe it's not the best, butI'm the one who's always like
making a schedule and anitinerary and writing down all
the details of a trip in oneplace, like yes.
I I don't know, I've just alwaysbeen that way.
I can't function any other way.
So it's not really.
It's not really.
(20:17):
It doesn't feel like a choicefor me, it just feels like how
my brain works.
Um so, and it's just a lot tojuggle.
I do a lot.
I'm always handling thelogistics and details and admin
side of things you know,personally and professionally,
and I just I do a lot ofdifferent things within my own
(20:38):
career and travel writing, butjust also outside of it as well,
like I help with my husband'scompanies and I sort of handle
like the home admin tasks.
Like that is all me.
So it just, it just has to beorganized or it will be a big
cluster.
Angela Tuell (20:56):
Yeah, there's no way to do it.
If you don't, I don't know howanyone could do it.
No, I can't.
Yeah, yeah.
Skye Sherman (21:02):
And I'm just not laid back enough to like, not
care like or let things fallthrough the cracks.
Like somehow other people, itjust works for them.
Yes, unfortunately that justdoes not work for me, but it
sounds really nice.
I'm jealous.
Angela Tuell (21:15):
I am, the same way , Talking a little bit.
You know our audience is a lotof PR professionals Talking a
little bit about us, or themtalking a little bit about us or
them.
What makes, you know, a pitchstand out to you?
Or, you know, can you think ofsomething that was really caught
your attention or helpful, orany?
(21:36):
You know, pet peeves or kind ofthings that PR pros do that are
not helpful.
Skye Sherman (21:41):
Okay.
So obviously it's like you know, asking just for, I just need
the perfect thing at the perfecttime in the perfect way.
So, just read my mind.
I'm just kidding.
But, um, you know a well-timedpitch that's actually relevant
to me and what I write.
It can be hard to land but,like I said, the perfect pitch
(22:04):
at the perfect time, helping meland in new outlets or helping
me land stories because that'salso my goal is great.
I'd say.
A piece of advice or like agood rule of thumb is pitch in
the exact style of the headlineor story you hope to land,
because if you can envision it,then me, my editor probably can
(22:28):
too, which probably meansthere's a fit On the flip side.
If you have a heart in figuringout how to make it work, then I
probably will too.
And at the end of the day, wekind of have the same goal PR
professionals want coverage fortheir clients and I want to
write those stories and work andmany.
So you know, it's like kind ofseeing what I write and the sort
(22:55):
of headlines I write andstories I write and topics I
cover.
If you have a story that's likeyou know a carbon copy of one
of those, but different, or youknow a different destination or
a different topic, it'llprobably work if that makes
sense.
So if it's something reallysimilar to what I already write,
(23:18):
then I can probably.
You know I know how to.
I know how to do that again.
I know how to land that again.
Obviously, outlets don't want alot of the same story written
again and again, but they dohave a certain style or tone or
type of story that they publishand if it is aligned with that
(23:41):
and if I've written stories likethat, then it's probably going
to work all around.
But on the flip side, if it'slike I don't really know how
this works or you guys neverwrite things like this, then
it's probably not going to work.
You kind of asked like a petpeeve.
So I will say one of my petpeeves.
(24:03):
I don't know if this is everywriter or just me, but I really
don't like to be asked what I'mworking on right now because I
don't really know.
This question is so open-endedand vague and requires like
effort on my part to like stopand think about it and be like I
(24:24):
don't know and formulate aresponse and like list all out
and all like.
So I just usually don't respondto that sort of email.
I don't really have like a listgoing of what I'm working on,
like maybe some writers do, butI just for me, I'm working on
whatever an editor assigns to me, and it's usually on a short
(24:46):
deadline and I don't really haveit, you know, like all figured
out in advance.
Like, hey, I'm working on these10 topics, like, do you have
anything that works for that?
Maybe some writer's workflow islike that and it sounds really
nice to be that organized likeyou know, and it sounds really
nice to be that organized likeyou know, knowing what's going
on ahead of time.
But for me it's usually likeI'm just I'm working on.
(25:10):
I don't really know.
Whatever I'm working on and if Ineed help or support, what I
usually do is search my inboxfor things relevant to that and
I'll reach out.
So a lot of times it's likemaybe I don't answer emails, but
(25:32):
then I'm searching thatdestination or hotel or topic in
my inbox.
Later I end up reaching out andgetting in touch.
So it's kind of the same asreading a magazine cover to
cover before pitching for it,like look at what they publish,
look at what I publish, and thenyou know recently and get a
feel for what I'm working on.
And then, if it's, you know, inthat same vein, then I'm
probably doing things similar tothat, if that makes sense.
Angela Tuell (25:57):
Yeah, that's a great tip.
I've never asked that questionbecause I talk to myself.
How would I answer that?
You know what?
I mean Like list a millionthings.
Skye Sherman (26:05):
Yeah, it's like I don't know a lot, but it takes
more time for me to like sitthere and like tell you I'm
working Like I don't know, butI'll reach out if I'm fine, that
I'm working on something thatyou can help with, but otherwise
I just really don't answer that.
And I get yeah, I get themotivation behind that question.
(26:25):
I don't fault anyone for askingit, but I just it's just like
not an email.
I tend to answer.
Angela Tuell (26:31):
so no, that's good to know, and our job is to make
your job easier too, not harder.
Skye Sherman (26:37):
Exactly exactly.
Angela Tuell (26:39):
If you could go back to, maybe, college students
, guy, you know what is onepiece of advice you would give.
Skye Sherman (26:47):
So I thought about this question and I, you know
it's sort of all worked outpretty well.
So I hate to say like I wouldchange anything, but I kind of
touched on this earlier.
I think if go back, I wouldmajor in journalism or study
(27:18):
journalism, just so I had thatlike foundation of learning the
basics and, you know, orlearning the textbook approach,
I guess, to this field.
It's something I've sort oftaught myself, I guess, because
I didn't study it in college andI mean it's worked out fine and
also, you know, interning at amagazine helped.
But I would say sometimes Ithink I would have more
confidence if I had majored injournalism because I would know
like yes, I know exactly whatI'm doing, this is the steps,
(27:41):
like this is I'm doing it right,and half the time now I'm like
exactly what I'm doing, this isthe steps, like this is I'm
doing it right, and half thetime now I'm like I just worry
like oh, maybe I'm missingsomething, or like maybe I
interview wrong or you know sothings like that.
So I would say majoring injournalism would have probably
been helpful, just so I knew thefundamentals.
(28:02):
But I've learned them on myfeet and on the job, I guess.
But I, yeah, that would I alsofind myself now that I'm in my
early thirties.
I look back and I'm like Ireally wish I had done an
internship in New York City andjust sort of gotten that New
(28:22):
York City publishing, journalismexposure firsthand.
I end up working with a lot ofNew York-based publications and
people and love being there, butjust kind of wish I had that
early 20s, you know, young,scrappy internship sort of
experience.
So a little more time in NewYork City and maybe some
(28:45):
journalism studies would havebeen helpful.
But I've kind of self educatedas I go and, you know, traveled
all around.
So I would say it's.
You know I'm not, I don'tregret it, but that could have
been helpful.
Angela Tuell (29:01):
Yeah, and I went to journalism school and was a
TV reporter for a few years inthe beginning of my career, but
then when I moved into PR, itwas the same way, though.
Oh, I wish I would have youknow.
Do I need to go back to schoolfor public relations Cause?
Skye Sherman (29:13):
I don't know what I'm doing.
You know, yeah, it's like youknow what you're doing, but then
you second guess yourself andyou're like maybe I don't know
what I'm doing.
Like maybe I'm missing a reallykey ingredient and I just don't
even know that I'm missing it.
Angela Tuell (29:25):
No, no, but you're right.
In PR there's something calledthe accreditation in PR, so then
in public relations.
So then I did that and didrealize I was doing it right.
But here's what it's called.
That's amazing.
Skye Sherman (29:36):
Now you just like have a piece of paper that you
can be confident Like okay yes.
I certified, know what I'mdoing.
Angela Tuell (29:43):
Right, and I don't think they don't have that in
journalism really.
Skye Sherman (29:45):
No, but before we go.
Angela Tuell (29:49):
I must ask you about being a pilot and
receiving your license at 18.
So what led to that, and howoften do you fly?
Skye Sherman (30:00):
I am ashamed to admit I do not fly very often
anymore.
I'm not current, but I need toget current.
I really have a reason not to,other than it's a little less
convenient now than it was.
When I was growing up.
I grew up on an airstrip and mydad was a pilot, not for his
job, just for his hobby.
(30:22):
It was like his passion and heloved it.
So I grew up in really anaviation community, an aviation
family, and my dad had everycertification under the sun, I
guess a pilot, with all thecertifications you can get,
(30:43):
including his instructor rating,which means that he could teach
and certify others to be apilot.
So I was entering my senior yearof high school, or maybe after
junior year, and I realized I'mgoing away to college next year,
I am moving away from home andI don't have any plans to come
(31:05):
back, so I should really takeadvantage of learning my
parents' skill sets while I'm athome.
So all year, long after that, Iwould cook with my mom.
She kind of taught me to cookall year because she's an
incredible chef, not for a jobagain, but just because she
(31:26):
loves to cook and be in thekitchen and learn to fly with my
dad, so that was really special.
He ended up passing away in2015.
So, especially looking backlike I just really really value
all that time we spent and thatexperience.
So he taught me to fly allthroughout my senior year of
(31:46):
high school I don't know if Isaid college or high school, but
I meant high school, and alsoone of his friends who is a
doctor.
I learned from him as well, soended up doing all my hours and
training and then, the summerafter I graduated, was ready to
(32:06):
take my test and do my checkrideand, yeah, ended up getting my
pilot's license when I was 18,after I graduated high school,
and I still can fly.
You know, you don't lose it,you just need to get current
again.
I definitely would want to takea little bit of a refresher
(32:29):
before, you know, fully gettingup in the air again, but I, yeah
, I need to, I need to get backup there, but I love it and it's
something that you know, isreally, really special to me and
was just a really funachievement, I guess, to do so.
It's something I love, like thefreedom of being able to, yeah,
(32:50):
fly your own plane, so it wasreally an awesome experience,
especially living with my dad,like I said.
Angela Tuell (32:57):
So, yeah, how incredibly mature, or like
forward thinking too, to sayI've only got a year left here.
Let me, what can I learn frommy yeah like let me take
advantage of this so great yeah,yeah.
Well, thank you for sharingthat.
How can our listeners bestconnect with you online?
Um?
Skye Sherman (33:17):
Instagram is probably the best place.
Best place I handle.
There is just my name at SkyeSherman.
I also am a little active onFacebook and like X and things
like that, but Instagram is moreso daily place that I am active
(33:38):
.
Great, and yeah, not reallyLinkedIn or any of the others.
Angela Tuell (33:43):
I'm not very up to date there.
There's too many yeah.
Skye Sherman (33:44):
Um and yeah, not really LinkedIn or any of the
others.
Angela Tuell (33:47):
Not very uh up to date there, but too many.
Skye Sherman (33:48):
Yeah, exactly, I can't keep up with it all, even
if grandma's a job.
Angela Tuell (33:52):
So right, right.
Well, we will link to those inour show notes.
Thank you so much.
Thanks for having me.
That's all for this episode ofmedia and minutesutes a podcast
by Communications Redefined.
Take a moment to rate, reviewand subscribe to our show.
We'd love to hear what youthink you can find more at
communicationsredefined.
com/ podcast.
(34:14):
I'm your host, Angela Tuell.
Talk to you next time.
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