It’s funny how things come full-circle. I’ve been asked to speak on an Interactive Marketing Panel at an upcoming Industry Focus Night event in Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, where I graduated a year and a half ago and met Jeff Hilimire, Engauge’s Chief Digital Officer. Rather than posting a summary blog after the event on the 21st, I thought I’d try doing things a little differently. I have received a list of anticipated questions for the panel, which made me examine and reflect on my time with Engauge and the opinions I’ve formulated about the industry and our company. Hope you enjoy reading and learning a bit more about Engauge and our industry as much as I enjoyed reflecting! This has really been a fun learning exercise that I hope will inspire others to give it a shot.
• Describe your agency.
Engauge is a total marketing solutions agency dedicated to delivering transformational ideas that move someone — to act, to choose, to believe in a brand. We focus on discovering true insights, developing ideas with real impact, and then measuring that interaction and gauging the results. Engauge’s three Centers of Excellence combine the disciplines of branding, digital, and direct marketing to partner with clients such as Kraft Foods, Best Buy for Business, Chick-fil-A, The Home Depot, Sony, NGK, and Huntington Bank. We have offices in Columbus, Austin, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, and Orlando.
• Describe what you do (e.g., a typical day).
I am the Executive Assistant to Jeff Hilimire, the Chief Digital Officer of Engauge, who has given me the freedom and flexibility to have my hands in a little bit of everything around the office. I manage several individuals’ calendars and travel accommodations, participate in the proposal stage of many sales processes, assist in research and social media, and coordinate special events in and out of the office.
• What skills and personal qualities help you to do your job successfully?
An executive assistant is a problem-solver and time-reliever. The ability to multitask is the single most important quality to have in my position. It is something that you can only develop from experience. When 3 executives run to you at the same time with 5 high-priority tasks, you learn to be extremely organized and flexible. One must also leave the word “no” out of their vocabulary. I often have to take on responsibility for tasks for which I have no idea how to complete. But sometimes in my position, I accept responsibility first, and then figure out how to get it done second.
• What advice would you give to a student interested in your field (i.e., skills they should be developing, experience, coursework, etc.)?
There are so many different disciplines and backgrounds that make up our agency (along with some really random, unrelated degrees) that the “position-matching” degree isn’t necessarily a requirement. Personality and culture-fit is more of an indicator of success at our agency than any transcript or coursework. Immerse yourself in the internet and the social space to stay on top of emerging media.
• Discuss some of the misconceptions students may have about the industry.
Students may think that we are playing on Facebook and Twitter all day. And while we may like to position ourselves in that light, we actually do spend a lot of time working. It just so happens to be more fun to work in an environment where people are tuned in and aren’t patrolling your computer monitors for any dangerous signs of being social. Because we do a lot of social media work for our clients.
• What is the job market like for students entering interactive marketing?
When looking at any agency I think you will be faced with peaks and valleys in terms or hiring sprees. A new client demanding more billable hours than we have the resources to accommodate means more hiring. I would suggest that internship openings are one of the best ways for undergrads to get their foot in the door if full-time positions are unavailable.
• How did you get your first job?
I met my employer in the exact same place where I will be joining this panel. Jeff was actually sitting on an Entrepreneurship panel at Emory in the spring of 2008 giving insight into how he built his interactive marketing agency Spunlogic from the ground up – leading to an eventual acquisition by Engauge. I spoke up after the event, asking the panelists how an entrepreneurial-minded individual could go about securing a mentorship-type role at a company post-graduation. Fate worked in everyone’s favor that day, as Jeff was actually looking for an assistant at that time to fill this type of role. A few introductions and interviews later, and I secured an internship that turned into full-time work for an employer and industry that I love. All from raising my hand at a panel event 
• How do you currently “network” to stay in touch with contacts, etc.?
In less than 140 characters.
• What advice would you give to a new graduate about how they can best distinguish themselves on their first job?
Take risks, and be genuine. Ask for help, since no one expects you to know everything. Remember that everyone was in your spot at one point in time, so the tremendous expectations that you (should) have of yourself are probably higher than the expectations they set for you. Take advantage of that to impress your employer and colleagues.
• What are the most common mistakes that new employees make at your organization…is it work-related OR a culture/fit issues?
New employees have to pass the culture fit test well before they start at the company. The most common mistake would have to be looking at the position as just another job. Employees won’t succeed if they don’t view this as a passion and a career, and put in the extra effort to treat it as such.
• Please share the best piece of career advice you have received.
“Passion, Intelligence, and Hard Work are the three most important traits of an entrepreneur.” That was some of the advice Jeff shared when he sat on a panel and I was in the audience listening. I think those three traits universally apply to success.
Reflections on my position, our company, and our industry
It’s funny how things come full-circle. I’ve been asked to speak on an Interactive Marketing Panel at an upcoming Industry Focus Night event in Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, where I graduated a year and a half ago and met Jeff Hilimire, Engauge’s Chief Digital Officer. Rather than posting a summary blog after the event on the 21st, I thought I’d try doing things a little differently. I have received a list of anticipated questions for the panel, which made me examine and reflect on my time with Engauge and the opinions I’ve formulated about the industry and our company. Hope you enjoy reading and learning a bit more about Engauge and our industry as much as I enjoyed reflecting! This has really been a fun learning exercise that I hope will inspire others to give it a shot.
• Describe your agency.
Engauge is a total marketing solutions agency dedicated to delivering transformational ideas that move someone — to act, to choose, to believe in a brand. We focus on discovering true insights, developing ideas with real impact, and then measuring that interaction and gauging the results. Engauge’s three Centers of Excellence combine the disciplines of branding, digital, and direct marketing to partner with clients such as Kraft Foods, Best Buy for Business, Chick-fil-A, The Home Depot, Sony, NGK, and Huntington Bank. We have offices in Columbus, Austin, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, and Orlando.
• Describe what you do (e.g., a typical day).
I am the Executive Assistant to Jeff Hilimire, the Chief Digital Officer of Engauge, who has given me the freedom and flexibility to have my hands in a little bit of everything around the office. I manage several individuals’ calendars and travel accommodations, participate in the proposal stage of many sales processes, assist in research and social media, and coordinate special events in and out of the office.
• What skills and personal qualities help you to do your job successfully?
An executive assistant is a problem-solver and time-reliever. The ability to multitask is the single most important quality to have in my position. It is something that you can only develop from experience. When 3 executives run to you at the same time with 5 high-priority tasks, you learn to be extremely organized and flexible. One must also leave the word “no” out of their vocabulary. I often have to take on responsibility for tasks for which I have no idea how to complete. But sometimes in my position, I accept responsibility first, and then figure out how to get it done second.
• What advice would you give to a student interested in your field (i.e., skills they should be developing, experience, coursework, etc.)?
There are so many different disciplines and backgrounds that make up our agency (along with some really random, unrelated degrees) that the “position-matching” degree isn’t necessarily a requirement. Personality and culture-fit is more of an indicator of success at our agency than any transcript or coursework. Immerse yourself in the internet and the social space to stay on top of emerging media.
• Discuss some of the misconceptions students may have about the industry.
Students may think that we are playing on Facebook and Twitter all day. And while we may like to position ourselves in that light, we actually do spend a lot of time working. It just so happens to be more fun to work in an environment where people are tuned in and aren’t patrolling your computer monitors for any dangerous signs of being social. Because we do a lot of social media work for our clients.
• What is the job market like for students entering interactive marketing?
When looking at any agency I think you will be faced with peaks and valleys in terms or hiring sprees. A new client demanding more billable hours than we have the resources to accommodate means more hiring. I would suggest that internship openings are one of the best ways for undergrads to get their foot in the door if full-time positions are unavailable.
• How did you get your first job?
I met my employer in the exact same place where I will be joining this panel. Jeff was actually sitting on an Entrepreneurship panel at Emory in the spring of 2008 giving insight into how he built his interactive marketing agency Spunlogic from the ground up – leading to an eventual acquisition by Engauge. I spoke up after the event, asking the panelists how an entrepreneurial-minded individual could go about securing a mentorship-type role at a company post-graduation. Fate worked in everyone’s favor that day, as Jeff was actually looking for an assistant at that time to fill this type of role. A few introductions and interviews later, and I secured an internship that turned into full-time work for an employer and industry that I love. All from raising my hand at a panel event
• How do you currently “network” to stay in touch with contacts, etc.?
In less than 140 characters.
• What advice would you give to a new graduate about how they can best distinguish themselves on their first job?
Take risks, and be genuine. Ask for help, since no one expects you to know everything. Remember that everyone was in your spot at one point in time, so the tremendous expectations that you (should) have of yourself are probably higher than the expectations they set for you. Take advantage of that to impress your employer and colleagues.
• What are the most common mistakes that new employees make at your organization…is it work-related OR a culture/fit issues?
New employees have to pass the culture fit test well before they start at the company. The most common mistake would have to be looking at the position as just another job. Employees won’t succeed if they don’t view this as a passion and a career, and put in the extra effort to treat it as such.
• Please share the best piece of career advice you have received.
“Passion, Intelligence, and Hard Work are the three most important traits of an entrepreneur.” That was some of the advice Jeff shared when he sat on a panel and I was in the audience listening. I think those three traits universally apply to success.