Alumni On The Move: Timothy Eads
Timothy Eads is a two-time graduate of West Virginia University, holding both a bachelor’s degree in Strategic Communications (now Advertising and Public Relations) and a master’s in Integrated Marketing Communications. He currently serves as Assistant Director of Undergraduate Enrollment Management for the WVU School of Medicine. During his time at WVU, he also served as the University’s 66th Mountaineer. We spoke with Timothy about his time at WVU, the impact of his IMC degree, and what it means to him to be a Mountaineer.
Q: How did your WVU master’s degree shape your career path?
TE: My master’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications really put me on a trajectory to work in higher education, which is where I am now. It not only helped me land my current job with the School of Medicine, but also my prior position with the Reed School of Media and Communications. It accelerated my career at a quicker rate than if I had not pursued it.
Would you say the degree opened new opportunities for you?
Definitely. I just passed my one-year anniversary with the School of Medicine, and I believe my degree was the catalyst for opening doors and creating opportunities. I think it will also help with future growth.
What did you study as an undergraduate?
My bachelor’s degree was also through the Reed College of Media (now Reed School of Media and Communications). I was part of the last class of students to graduate with a major in Strategic Communications before it became Advertising and Public Relations. My emphasis was in Public Relations, so essentially modern-day Ad/PR.
Can you share a moment in your professional life where you thought, “this is what I studied for”?
In my current role, I’ve had more opportunities to get involved in marketing strategy than in past jobs. Whether it’s building out an email campaign or working on a content strategy, I often stop and realize these are skills I learned during my time in the IMC program.
Was there a course that challenged your thinking or influenced your work the most?
One that stands out is IMC in Higher Education. We were able to pick an institution similar to where we worked, and I chose the University of Michigan. The course really helped me think about identifying student markets and communicating with them, which I use in my day-to-day work. Another course that really stuck with me was IMC Entrepreneurship. Even though I’m not in an entrepreneurial role, it was probably my favorite class and I still use the skills I learned there.
How did you balance work, life, and graduate school?
I started the IMC program right after finishing my bachelor’s and thought I would just be a graduate assistant. But during my first semester, I was offered a full-time recruiter position with the Reed College of Media. That made things more challenging, but IMC offered good flexibility. As long as I set aside time each week for coursework, I could manage school, work, and home life.
Where did you feel the most productive while studying?
I’ve always been more productive in a quiet space. I’m not someone who works well in a busy coffee shop. I preferred sitting at my desk with headphones in and music up, which allowed me to focus.
What separates a good graduate student from a great one?
A great graduate student builds a schedule and sticks to it. It’s important to dedicate the right amount of time to each assignment and not approach graduate school with the mindset of just finishing. You should pursue a master’s degree because you want to learn as much as possible and develop a deeper level of knowledge in your field.
How did WVU help you grow beyond academics?
The IMC program helped me grow personally and socially, not just professionally. I met my fiancée (now wife) during the program, and we completed our degrees together. We encouraged and supported each other the entire way. We also built relationships with classmates that we still keep up with today. Those connections are just as valuable as the academic experience.
What does being a WVU alum mean to you?
Being a WVU alum means everything to me. I’m a two-time graduate, I’ve worked at the University for four years, and I also served as the Mountaineer mascot as an undergraduate. Growing up in West Virginia, I always saw the Flying WV, and now to hold two diplomas from WVU is something I truly cherish. The gold and blue definitely run deep for me.