LCA Made Women: Taylor Grayson Says Her Experience Working For Lambda Chi is Good Stepping Stone to Enter Sports Industry
“You’re a woman and you work for a fraternity?”
“Weren’t there any qualified men for that position?”
These are questions the women on staff at International Headquarters hear often.
March is National Women’s History Month, so we are introducing you to some of the women on our staff and sharing their passion for not only their position, but Lambda Chi’s mission.
First up is Associate Director of Communications Taylor Grayson:
Q: How did you end up at Lambda Chi Alpha, and what do you do on staff?
A: It’s a funny story, actually. I graduated from Indiana University in 2016 and immediately went to work for the Indianapolis Indians (Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates). That was a post-graduate internship, however. So in October, I found myself looking for a job again. I was not Greek at IU, but both of my parents were, and that’s how they met at IU. So I have always been really fond of the Greek system. One day, I was looking through jobs on Indeed and stumbled across Associate Director of Communications for Lambda Chi. I thought it sounded super interesting and like a really unique environment to tell stories, so I applied. Literally two weeks later, I had the job. In my role as AD of Communications, I serve as the editor of the Cross & Crescent magazine, contribute to all of our social media sites, produce videos, and figure out how we can tell the best possible stories.
Q: Why did you want to work for a fraternity, and where do you find your passion for an all-male organization?
A: As I mentioned above, I have always been a fan of Greek life, because if it had not been for that, I wouldn’t be here now. During my time at IU, I was very involved in the athletics side of the university through internships and club tennis, so I really didn’t have time to be in a sorority. I love the concept, though, of being part of a group that is bigger than yourself, much like a sports team. My passion for Lambda Chi Alpha really comes through in the stories we tell. I can’t emphasize enough how great it feels to have an interview with a brother who is just so passionate about the fraternity and all of the good it stands for. Sure, there can be bumps along the way, but those positive stories really make everything I do worth it. When someone is in the fraternity for the right reasons, it can be a magical thing to watch this organization shape them into a better man.
Q: What have you gained professionally and learned about yourself in this role?
A: I cannot thank my family here at Lambda Chi Alpha enough for the professional and personal growth I have experienced since taking this job more than a year ago. Professionally, I have gained so many skills I never thought I would get the chance to experience, such as management and video work. Everyone here is so supportive of me, and if there is something I want to try, the sky is really the limit. Personally, as I said before, this is very much my family. Though I am not a brother, I still feel so much passion for what we are trying to accomplish and how this organization has the potential to shape so many lives. Through the travel I get to do for stories, I have met many interesting people and also created lifelong friendships with people that I never would have met without this position. For that, I will always be grateful. As far as what I have learned, it is all about controlling what you have the power to and letting slide the things you can’t.
Q: It is National Women’s History Month. Why is it important, do you think, to have female representation in all jobs/careers? Why is it important, in your opinion, that we celebrate how far women have come in this nation?
A: I believe it is so important to have female representation in careers because I feel that women are able to bring fresh perspectives to their roles. Coming from a sports background, which is very heavily male-dominated, it can be hard sometimes to speak up and say what is on your mind. I have found that coming from the sports world into the fraternal world has made me tough beyond reason. I hope this is true for women in all careers. It is important to celebrate how far women have come because there are so many great ideas coming from women, which should always be encouraged.
Never miss a post! To subscribe to our email list, click here.
