Growing Up and Getting Social: Advice on Career in Marketing
I began my marketing career in the warm safe and stable arms of traditional media. Through a series of twists and turns I ended up at Everywhere, plum center in the middle of the SOCIAL MEDIA UNIVERSE. This vast and unknown arena has been a catalyst of growth to what had been my traditional education. I went from placing ads and collecting affidavits to the fast paced community of Twitter chats, TweetUps and Blogger Briefings. Which is how I ended up making my Blog Talk Radio Broadcast debut. I was sitting quietly tweeting my own business while Danica and Britton shared their expert advice on Ananda Leeke’s Digital Sisterhood Radio Show, when suddenly I was called upon for my two cents.
Zane Collins, the guest host of the Digital Sisterhood Radio Show asked me what advice I would give to those graduating college and beginning a career in Marketing. I answered quickly that the greatest lesson I have learned is to establish a relationship with every person you meet. Introduce yourself to every speaker, professor and classmate that is on top of their game. Pick their brains, make an impression and collect all the contact information you can. These are the connections and “ins” you will need when trying to get your foot in the door for an interview. It is what will give you the edge over the competition when it comes down to you versus another candidate.
Hindsight is 20/20 and the more I reflected over the advice I’d given the more my nugget of advice grew. I wanted to write a whole book to toss in the backseat of my DeLorean and gun it back to May of 2006. Being a natural born rebel after college I often snubbed my nose at the conventional (albeit true) wisdom that was handed down to me. Had I been able to get something through my thick stubborn brain it would be:
- Volunteer for things that terrify you. It is only possible to grow when pushed out of your comfort zone. It will help you achieve more than you ever hoped.
- It is only when you stop caring about what people think that you stop being nervous. It doesn’t happen overnight and it takes a lot of practice, but remind yourself of this everyday and it will help conquer your nerves.
- Trust your instincts. Following your gut is an easy way to ensure you can live with your decisions.
- Have humility, it will take you far.
- Realize that every person you encounter (whether they seem important or not) may one day be a future colleague, boss, client or networking resource. Don’t burn your bridges.
The work landscape today has changed drastically in the five years since I graduated, but my final piece of advice is to be open to evolving. There is an entirely new way to share your message and connect, and that’s through social media. Be open to exploring new platforms, join the conversation that is connecting people all around you. Join a Twitter Chat or listen to a Blog Talk Radio show. You never know, you may be asked to give some guidance!
Kelly, we are thrilled to have you on our team! And sage advice, we should all take to heart whether we are just graduated from college or well into our careers!
“Be open to exploring new platforms, join the conversation that is connecting people all around you.” I totally agree!
Wise words, Kelly. One more thought to add-Choose your boss carefully…one who enjoys teaching and developing people, who expresses pride about the people she or he has “grown”. Over my 25 years, that has been more important than the job title itself!
I love the idea of “choosing your boss carefully.” It’s not just a job, it’s really about the leadership and the community you join!
Thanks, I’m often caught between “when you stop caring about what people think” and “Don’t burn your bridges.” But who said it was easy?
Kelly, well said. Its a super small world, and while you are still climbing your way up, you need every bridge you can get. And I agree on the importance of choosing the right boss. Until you have a really good boss and a really bad boss, I think its hard to grasp how truly impactful it is in your career. Its now the single most important factor for me when choosing a job.
Excellent! Your tips ring true for all of us — at whatever stage. I’m working on the part about being “open to evolving!” It seems vitally important over the long haul.