"Remember who you are and where you're from."

NYC transplant Katie Holt has been taking over the city ever since she arrived in early 2015. This digital media and advertising guru works tirelessly for Microsoft's One Consumer team -- essential skills she acquired from The University of Georgia. Get to know our #WCW and Southern belle who has brought her charm and the love for the Dawgs to the north:

1. What's your story? What makes you unique?

I graduated from a small high school just south of Atlanta in 2010. My parents always encouraged my siblings and I to live our dreams, so in the Fall of 2009 I began the process of interviewing for the US Naval Academy. After getting an appointment to the academy I ended up not making it to the last very round, and I decided to go to the University of Georgia shortly there after.

During the first semester, I will be 100% transparent, I almost quit. I wasn’t sure of what I wanted out of school, but I knew I had my friends and that’s all I needed. I stuck it out until the end of the year and decided to stay - but a change of major was definitely in order to make me happy.

I decided advertising was for me because, “that’s just selling stuff, right?” My first advertising class was life changing. I immediately felt at ease with like-minded students - they didn’t take themselves too seriously. The teacher, Dr. Hamilton (if you’re at UGA please take his class) talked a thousand miles a minute and would switch subjects without warning. “HELLO!!” he would burst out after each slide. I became obsessed with AdAge and AdWeek as I found out the ins and outs of the industry. Wouldn’t you know that advertising is not all writing copy like Mad Men? Just want to make that clear.

After a trip to New York to tour agencies and see first hand the work environment I literally became obsessed. I would rave about my “one day move to New York,” and “I could SO live there one day!”. But after graduation I made a tough decision to stay in Atlanta for a variety of personal reasons. I got on at an agency as an assistant media planner and loved every second of it. My coworkers became my second family.

One thing that we were always told in our advertising classes, “you will lose your job at least once in your career.” I didn’t believe them. I was 19 and literally scoffed at the idea. Alas, my first job we got the news that the piece of business I was working on was moving to another agency. Wrap your mind around that as a 22 year old at her first job. I could have sat around and hoped they offered me another position in the Atlanta office, but I decided to be proactive. After (literally) badgering HR about volunteering to move cities I got a call about being relocated to New York. I’m not kidding when I say that I found out I was moving to New York in two weeks time after not even knowing if I had any job prospects 72 hours earlier. Currently I am loving being in the media world as an Assistant Digital Planner on the Digital Activation team at Empowering Media for Microsoft's One Consumer team. If you're like my parents and ask, "What does that role even mean?" just know that we essentially make those pesky ads on your computer and phone pop up on your screen. Sorry I'm not sorry.

I moved to New York with only two suitcases on the coldest day of the year with three random roommates who have become some of my best friends. I started work with about 3 inches of snow outside and zero money in my savings account, so needless to say, “Toto, I don’t think we’re in Atlanta anymore". Ever since then I’ve learned that everything here is hella expensive and life is really what you make it. I have my days - and who doesn’t - where I walk down the road and feel like I’m literally in a fight with the city and it's an abusive boyfriend. Other days I can’t wipe the childish grin off my face because I’m here!! I made it. I’m finally living my dream and working at an amazing agency on an account that I would have never imagined working on in my entire career. If that doesn’t deserve a Go Dawgs, I don’t know what does.

2. What motivates you?

I've heard what motivates people - their faith in God, money, the list could go on. My biggest motivation, however, is my happiness. My faith and family and friends and my career and this crazy city and a very large cup of iced coffee all contribute to that happiness but at the end of the day that's what it boils down to.

3. Who is a hero of yours?

I look up to my dad probably more than anyone in the world. He taught me the importance of work ethic and that nothing can break your faith when things get tough. Although he can be a grump (what dad isn't?) and is never afraid to share the ugly truth, he has never once discouraged any of my dreams. When I wanted to learn to fly he encouraged it. When I wanted to go to the University of Georgia he encouraged it but paid that tuition with a Georgia Tech check every time. When I wanted to move to New York he actually just hung up the phone but didn't discourage my decision since he knew that's what was best for my career. He is one of the funniest, snarkiest, and smartest people that I know and love, and if it wasn't for him I wouldn't be who I am today.

4. What's your future plan? Your goals?

I wish I could give a straight answer to this. I have a lot of things I would enjoy doing, but nothing is set on a straight trajectory as of now. I’ve always had a plan, ask anyone. I literally can’t function without a plan.

I would really enjoy writing or working with a lifestyle brand, I would really enjoy executing some business ventures I joke about starting up, and I would really enjoy moving back down south so I can grab a Chickfila Chicken Biscuit when I get a craving.

As of now, though, I’m going to keep on dabbling in writing on my blog and work towards being the best I can at my current role and eventually moving upward while taking in all the information I possibly can, God-willing.

5. If you could give one piece of advice, what would it be?

Remember who you are and where you're from. Really - this is one of the most important things I was ever told growing up. Before any slumber party, trip, and even before leaving to go back to college my family would always (jokingly) remind me of this. No matter matter where life takes you you will always come back to your roots in some way or another. They shape you, they define you, they become a part of you. After moving over 1,000 miles from home, these words could never ring more true.

6. What is something you feel strongly about (a cause, belief, etc.)?

I feel strongly about a lot of things - like not pulling all the way through a parking spot, not turning off your blinker as you drive down the road, and smacking gum. But one of the causes that I feel the most most passionate about is the Guide Dog for the Blind Foundation. In 2013 I was fortunate to become involved in the small regional "chapter", if you will, at UGA. Students and members of the community are able to volunteer to become a "puppy raiser" to help train a small 8 week old ball of fluff into a 12 to 18 month old dog that is well on it's way to being formally trained to become a service animal to someone with a disability. Often times the dogs are transferred to GDF's sister organization, America's VetDogs, go on to become trained as ATF dogs, or various other forms of service animals.

Out of the many dogs I had the chance to handle a handful have graduated to become guides for the blind and some have become VetDogs, one became an ATF canine, one became a comfort dog for young children, and some have become breeders. I am very fortunate to live just a short train ride away from Smithtown, where the Guide Dog Foundation is located, and I am able to visit my first guide dog puppy who is now a breeder and lives with an awesome family!

Being in New York and seeing the work first hand is one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever been apart of. You can read about my journey with my pup, Rumba, here. You can also read about her littermate who is currently an active guide to his handler, Bob!

7. What's one of the coolest things you've ever done?

I could fly an airplane before I could legally drive a car. Talk about feeling like a badass at 15. I lived with some family friends for a summer in Wisconsin to take flying lessons. On my 16th birthday they flew down to Georgia to watch me solo for the first time. It was early February, a little rainy, and I was wearing 2 hoodies under my letterman jacket. It was the most freeing experience I have ever had.

8. Anything we haven't asked that you'd like to talk about.

Crying is okay, I promise. If you’re at this stage of your life, it’s okay to not be okay. But do not limit yourself because you feel the need to shut yourself in a room or stay in on a Saturday night to work on job applications. Just live a life you're proud of and dance in the rain. Take every little thing in while you can. Read the news. Be active on Twitter. Call your grandparents. Adopt a puppy. Do everything you possibly can do. And please, for the love of God, don’t take yourself too seriously. Because once you’re true to yourself, everyone around you will be too.