Mary Padilla, Data Marketing Communications ‘22, came into the program with a wealth of knowledge and professional experiences already under her belt, but she knew she had more to learn and to share.
“I incorporate data and storytelling into my everyday business life. It is something that is critical to bringing insights to the team that I work with and to making decisions based on data,” Mary said. “Data-driven decision making is critical in what we’re doing.”
Currently, Mary works at the Kansas University Alumni Association in marketing and content strategy after previously supporting the strategic communications and storytelling team.
In her time with the WVU Marketing Communications Online Graduate Programs, Mary found the “learn it today, apply it tomorrow” mentality in the coursework to be one of her favorite parts of the program. She could take what she was learning in her courses back to work and with her in future semesters.
“I really enjoyed the process of layering information. You begin with a foundation, and then every class builds on that. I really enjoyed that particular part of it,” she said. “After a few semesters in, you really are integrating all of the different things you’ve learned in your classes.”
Mary spent time in the industry before returning for her master’s degree, and this experience helped her through her degree. While juggling school and full-time work can be difficult, Mary found completing her degree to be one of the most rewarding things she’s done.
“I’m very happy that I chose this program. While it is difficult to be working full-time and you do have to make a serious time commitment to it, it’s the best thing that I’ve done in a very long time,” Mary said. “I am so happy with what I have learned and so very proud to have done it. I’m so excited to share this new knowledge with my team.”
I am so happy with what I have learned and so very proud to have done it. I’m so excited to share this new knowledge with my team. Mary Padilla