About
AJ Espada is an audio engineer at The Wave Music Studio. He holds an Associate's degree in Criminal Justice from Everest University and a Bachelor's degree in Audio Production from Full Sail University. He is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Public Relations at Full Sail University. He also teaches drums and music theory to children and adults in Cumming, Georgia.
Intention Statement
In February 2026, I decided to embark on a new journey and enrolled in the Public Relations Master's program at Full Sail University. As a small business owner, I chose this career path to expand my knowledge and apply what I've learned when helping clients with their needs, tailoring their projects to their specific requests. I also plan to set up a PR department at The Wave Music Studio. Completing this Master's program will give me the understanding to help our clients develop better strategies to expose their products to different demographics. It will also give me the opportunity to collaborate with others in different industries. When I moved to Georgia, I reconnected with my inner child and returned to my roots by playing drums. At that time, I began meeting people from diverse social backgrounds who visited the academy where I taught drums. After several conversations, I realized that, in addition to helping artists, I could also help people with small businesses, book authors, and so on. This realization is what motivated me to continue and embark on my journey with this Master's degree in Public Relations. During this year, while in the PR Master's program, I will learn about new areas that I'm unfamiliar with and interested in exploring, such as Innovative Public Relations Tools and Resources. This will help me use the proper tools to help our clients. I'm also interested in the Legal Aspects of Media course, which will give me insight into how to resolve issues that arise in our daily business or those of our clients. I am incredibly happy to have started this new journey which will teach me new techniques, tools, and knowledge to help my clients.
Inspirational
"Masters and those who display a high level of creative energy are simply people who manage to retain a sizeable portion of their childhood spirit despite the pressures and demands of adulthood (Greene, 2013).
Sometimes, with the twists and turns life throws my way, I wonder if I chose the right path, if doing what I love—creating—is what will lead me to achieve my goal. This reminds me of what Greene says in his book Mastery: "We all possess an inborn creative force that wants to become active." Greene, R. (2013). Mastery. Penguin Books.
As a Public Relations student, I follow several companies and individuals who have influenced my journey toward completing my Master's degree. These are key people and companies that shape our daily work with marketing strategies and innovative ideas for making public relations more engaging. One of the people I follow is Gary Vaynerchuk, also known as "GaryVee."
Inspirational (Post 2)
“It's not rocket science: if you genuinely help people they will help you back.” Willyerd, K., Mistick, B. (2016). Stretch:How to future-proof yourself for tomorrow’s workplace. Wiley.
I chose this quote because it resonated with me a lot since I have experienced it before; it is a law of life that the positive or good that you genuinely offer or give, the universe takes care of returning the favor.
Mastery Journey Timeline
March 1, 2026
Mastery Journal Timeline:
March 29, 2026
My favorite assignment in this course was writing the PSA script. This task taught me how to write a script for a Public Service Announcement and how to organize it into sections to ensure it aligns with the message intended for the audience. The brainstorming process for this assignment was somewhat challenging because, as I was writing the script, I was simultaneously assembling video clips and constructing the sequence of the PSA video. This is the exact opposite of the standard video production workflow—which typically involves writing the script first, followed by scouting filming locations, and finally, editing. This assignment taught me that the purpose of a PSA is to raise awareness, encourage positive behavioral changes, inform the public, and promote safety and well-being. It also taught me that a PSA must be concise, clear, engaging, actionable, and simple. I believe that all the topics addressed in this course will serve as valuable references and prove useful throughout my journey as a public relations professional. Starting with "Case Studies," this assignment allowed me to step into my clients' shoes and brainstorm ideas and solutions to support their businesses—for instance, by creating new strategies to foster stronger community engagement, boost brand awareness, and increase revenue. Writing a “PSA script” was also beneficial, as it helped me learn how to organize my thoughts when crafting short, 30-second commercials. Furthermore, the “drafting a press release outline” was extremely helpful in understanding exactly where every detail belongs; it taught me that there is a specific structure a press release must follow to be effective. This structure includes writing a headline that captures the audience's attention, a lead paragraph that covers the "who, what, when, where, and why," and body content that provides the audience with specific details about the event or activity. It also involves incorporating quotes to add credibility, a boilerplate section describing the company, and contact information to help communication between the media and the person in charge of the event. The knowledge I have acquired this month has prepared me to carry out specific tasks and to work at the necessary level, ensuring that—when the opportunity arises—I am ready to execute any assigned duty. This could involve drafting a PSA script or video, writing a press release, or conducting a business analysis for companies or brands that require assistance in building brand awareness, fostering deeper connections with their community, or integrating new business strategies to reach new audiences without losing their essence or alienating their loyal customers.
Credits:
Greene, R. (2013). Mastery. Penguin Books. Willyerd, K., Mistick, B. (2016). Stretch:How to future-proof yourself for tomorrow’s workplace. Wiley. Music Authority El gato barber shop