Each semester the WVU Marketing Communications online programs is excited to welcome a new group of individuals into the MCNetwork. The WVU Marketing Communications graduate student population consistently varies in their levels of experience and expertise, with some just completing their undergraduate studies to those holding senior-leadership positions at the world’s most elite agencies and brands. Each students brings unique style and perspective to the program.
Meet some of the students who will be joining the WVU Marketing Communications Network in the fall semester:
Maria Mitchell
M.S. Integrated Marketing Communications
Marketing Contractor for micro businesses
What are your interests outside of marketing?
If I am not working or doing schoolwork, I'm probably at a skate park or motocross track!
Why did you choose to pursue the WVU IMC master’s degree?
Interestingly, it was a WVU billboard on I-81 that led me to look up graduate programs online. I read the program requirements and course information and knew that this program would really help me in my career and not just be an expensive piece of paper! The flexibility of the program allows me to still work and take care of my children, and the 8-week classes will allow me to finish quickly.
What are you most looking forward to throughout your studies?
I'm looking forward to gaining more real-world experience through discussions and assignments, that will help me be a more skilled marketer.
What class are you most excited to take?
I tend to lean more towards the analytical side than the creative aspect of marketing, so the research and analysis class interests me, as well as the emerging media class since it's important to stay up to date!
How do you hope your degree will advance your career after graduation?
I am hoping that my education will qualify me to work with larger companies and I will have more steady work. With a very small business (often just a husband-and-wife team), marketing help (me) seems to be the first expense to cut when budgets get tight. My dream job(s) would be to work with a motorcycle company like KTM, and to teach marketing.
Angela Westerfield
M.S. Integrated Marketing Communications
VP of Marketing at SeaWorld Orlando
What are your interests outside of marketing?
Outdoor nature activities like hiking trips with my husband, live music (Pearl Jam is my favorite band), exploring new towns and their local food and craft breweries, and hanging out with my 3 dogs and cat. I am also going on 13 years volunteering at the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey here in Central Florida. It's a rescue, rehab and education facility specializing in owls, hawks, eagles and more. It's a dirty job, but tons of fun!
Why did you choose to pursue the WVU IMC master’s degree?
I believe the WVU IMC Masters will help me fulfill two important goals: 1) sharpen my skills in areas that I may not have as much recent hands-on experience, and 2) open my eyes to powerful new perspectives, as I learn and network with professionals in different industries outside my own and in different areas of the country (or world!). I also really like the flexibility to choose what classes I get to take, as this helps me even more to plug into those knowledge gaps.
What are you most looking forward to throughout your studies?
Meeting new people from different backgrounds and at different stages of their career. I've learned incredibly valuable lessons from both my mentors with 15+ years more experience than myself, as well as from the fresh-out-of-undergrad interns. A great idea, or a new way of thinking, can come from anywhere. I'm looking forward to all those new perspectives.
What class are you most excited to take?
I'm excited for anything data driven. In marketing, there are so many decisions (like creative) that can easily head down a very subjective path, so having insights into the why and the who is always important to ground your decision-making in. And with ever-changing technology, the availability and how you use data is also ever-changing, so it's important to keep up our education with these tools. I am also excited for anything about content creation. Early on in my life I gravitated to art and storytelling as a passion of mine, and this translated to now really enjoying the process of creative concepting and production. That world too is always evolving with so many content platforms out there now, there are endless creative ways for brands to engage with fans.
How do you hope your degree will advance your career after graduation?
Besides just making me a more well-rounded and better marketer, I'm not sure yet. Hoping my time at WVU will help spark some ideas!
Jennifer Gish
M.S. Integrated Marketing Communications
Associate VP of Marketing and Communications at The College of Saint Rose
What are your interests outside of marketing?
For fun, I love spending time with my children, as well as gardening and running (often with one of my kids). I'm very passionate about the cause of domestic violence prevention/awareness. Although I've stepped away from leading Strong Through Every Mile, a nonprofit organization I started several years ago that empowers DV survivors through the sport of running, I'm so proud of the new leadership. And I look forward to returning as a volunteer coach after I've given myself a semester to adjust to graduate school.
Why did you choose to pursue the WVU IMC master’s degree?
My two bachelor's degrees are in journalism and women's studies, so I do not hold a degree in marketing. Although I've pursued professional development opportunities and found that my journalism background translates well to my current work, I am always looking to grow my skills. I've also always wanted to earn a master's degree, and I am finally in a position in my life to focus on that goal.
What are you most looking forward to throughout your studies?
I'm looking forward to the knowledge I'll gain and tackling something that feels like a big challenge at the moment – going back to school after not being a college student for more than 20 years. But my career is about promoting the opportunities that higher education offers, and I think it's important to put that into practice for myself.
What class are you most excited to take?
I'm looking forward to the marketing research course, as well as digital marketing.
How do you hope your degree will advance your career after graduation?
My hope is that my degree will enhance the work I'm doing at my current job. I'm both goal-oriented and team-oriented, and I want to be part of my institution achieving its goals. I have an incredible team at Saint Rose, and I want to bring my best to them every day.
Interested in growing your career with a master's degree in Data, Digital or Integrated Marketing Communications? Request more information today!