You go to college, earn a degree, and expect that your education will seamlessly adapt to the workforce.
Transitioning from student to professional was an exciting yet challenging endeavor. The theoretical knowledge from my agricultural business courses became invaluable as I navigated real-world situations. Understanding market segmentation and consumer behavior helped me craft effective marketing strategies for clients, while teamwork and communication skills were crucial in collaborating with colleagues and articulating ideas clearly. Every day at a marketing agency feels like a group project. As you adapt academic principles to the dynamic business environment, your educational foundation proves to be a strong starting point for professional growth and success, but it’s just that—a starting point. There is so much that I learned through baptism by fire.
My first big-girl job was as an account coordinator at Jeffrey Scott Agency (JSA). This role evolved from an unpaid, for-credit internship to a part-time position while finishing my degree, to full-time upon graduation. At JSA, I was exposed to virtually every facet of marketing and advertising. From working on 360 campaigns to rebrands and launching new products, I had my hands in a bit of everything. I worked directly with clients, serving as the middleman between them and the creative team, to bring concepts to life.
JSA was truly a baptism by fire and I had to adjust quickly. I was given strict deadlines and had to make things happen, often without fully understanding what I was doing. I had great support from my colleagues, but they didn’t coddle me. I often had to fake it until I made it. Project by project, I improved, learning both what to do and what not to do.
Working at an agency gives you the opportunity to interact with a variety of people. Collaborating with different clients, account managers, and creatives teaches you how to work with diverse personalities. As an account coordinator, the biggest lesson I learned was how to set my team up for success, recognizing that each person has different needs.
Now, I’m in my second big-girl job, and I wouldn’t be here without the education from Fresno State and the baptism by fire from JSA. For anyone interested in a marketing career, I highly recommend starting at an agency. You get exposure to many different aspects of the industry, helping you determine which direction you want to pursue.
As you transition from student to professional, it’s important to embrace the learning curve. At first, you may feel like the least knowledgeable person in the room, but this is actually a good thing. It gives you an opportunity to learn and grow from experienced colleagues. Over time, you’ll find yourself becoming more confident in your abilities. Remember, every expert was once a beginner, and your willingness to learn will benefit you in the future.
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