One Year As a Marketer

This post is not so much about my one-year anniversary at my agency. It’s more about what I’ve gone through over the last year, and really leading up to the start of my job, to get to where I am today.

First off, some brief insight to what was happening before October 16, 2013. I had been working in education for the first five years of my professional life. Educators are admirable people, and having been raised by two (both my parents were incredibly good at what they did), I have much respect for those in the profession. However, like any other profession, education is not for everyone. When I made the choice to change careers, I recognized all of the cliches immediately: I was scared of going into something I was unfamiliar with, but also excited for a new adventure. Curious to what would come next; worried it wouldn’t work out. The usual.

My first marketing job was a dud. This was before my current position. I won’t go into much detail on it, but I will say that they didn’t know what it meant to truly do marketing. That employer read a couple of books. (Mostly those in the “..For Dummies” series; they’re fine books, but not for truly understanding a topic.) They’d look at the fads. They thought what they did worked; they were wrong. That was a long 11 months. After leaving that job, I didn’t give up on getting into marketing. I just needed the right agency in the right position. That brings us to today, one year ago.

In September of 2013, I applied for a job with Highforge. I found the job online, checked out the website, and thought it looked like a cool opportunity, so I went for it. But I wasn’t content with just sending in my resume online. So the day after I submitted my resume, I showed up at their office. Yeah, you read that right. I came in around 5pm, resume in hand, and just showed up. Bold move. But I got myself an impromptu interview. Pretty nice move. After that, and a couple of follow-up phone calls, I got a second interview. Met the CEO, had a long conversation, and that ended with him offering me the job, and letting me know I’d start on Wednesday, October 16, 2013.

Now here’s the introspective part. The part where I look at myself from one year ago to today. Well, let’s start with something I was told in my interview:

“We’re going to make you a marketer, whether you’re ready or not.” 

(I may be paraphrasing a bit.) I got the job with virtually no experience (again, my previous marketing job was a dud), and all I really had was some self-learned knowledge and a good writing background. They took a chance on me (in the same way I took a chance by showing up at the office). I was promised a new learning experience; I was not disappointed.

This job has pushed me to a variety of personal limits. In a good way, of course. I’ve learned a lot about the way a business should work, not just ours, but dozens of our clients. I’ve come across new terms and processes in digital marketing, web development, and graphic design. In fact, I feel like I’ve learned more in my one year with Highforge than anywhere else. I work everyday with some of the brightest and most creative people out there. And each day, they push me to see what I’m capable of. I’m thankful for that.

Here’s the best part: I wake up everyday and go to work and do something I truly enjoy. I get to do something I like, I’m encouraged to continue learning, and I’m never fully satisfied with what I’ve learned so far. I want more, and the best part is I’m in an environment where I’m allowed, encouraged, and expected to want more. That’s the dream, folks.

That’s a summary of what I’ve gone through, but the changes have happened throughout. I can’t visit websites without thinking about how they could move certain elements and make it more presentable, or check out something on my phone without getting annoyed if the site isn’t responsive. I find gaps in SEO strategies and get frustrated when I see a company missing an opportunity with their social media. I don’t look at the world the same way I did one year ago. And that’s thanks to the adventure I’ve been given.

So, I revisit the statement my CEO made to me one year ago: “We’re going to make you a marketer.” I was given a promise, and that has been fulfilled.

I am a marketer. 

And I’m a part of the best team in Orlando. Last year, I was given a great opportunity. Next year, expect to see much more from me. One of the great things about my team and this profession is I know how much I can do. And you’re going to be seeing much more of me.