Names are an individual's brand, not just a random label

I used to despise my name.

Growing up I wanted nothing more than a personalized Mickey Mouse pen with my name on it. However, most every place had pre-made items with "common" names, which my sister Ashley made sure to rub in my face.

I definitely got my fair share of "you have a boy name" throughout grade school and the embarrassment of a lecture from my teacher after a fellow male kindergartner told me I was supposed to spell my name T-y-l-e-r. It even went so far as accidently being introduced as "Trailer Scrivner" at my high school soccer game.

I think I even found myself debating whether or not to legally change my first name to something a little more attractive once I was of age.

College has definitely changed anything I recently thought about a name and my perception of self.

As I've tried to establish myself as a writer and professional, the comments about my "weird" name have taken the back burner. I don't think until recently, and maybe it's just because of my choice to pursue journalism, that I've realized a name is no longer just a name, it's a brand.

As a society we spend so much time focusing on what we don't have and the what ifs than making the most out of what we already do. A name is now much more. It's now who we are and it's what we do. Our name is now associated with all our accomplishments.

I'm now glad I have a chance of not being mixed up with the Brittanys and the Rachels and have a chance to stand out as being an individual. Especially now when I'm sending out massive quantities of resumes in a hard economy, standing out amongst peers is crucial.

What once used to embarrass me has now given me a step ahead of some. I find that people remember me because I'm "the girl with the weird-spelled name." Even if I'm not yet being remembered by my work, at least I'll be remembered at all, and that's worth something.

Although that's not quite the lasting impression I want to make, being remembered is a start.

And let's face it, you gotta start somewhere.