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What do you do?
I am responsible for assisting with strategy development for direct marketing communications (Web sites, direct mail campaigns, etc.) for various business-to-business and business-to-consumer components of Ford Customer Service Division. I am also responsible for coordinating creative development, production and maintenance of these programs, while serving as a liaison for various client contacts. Basically, on a day-to-day basis I may be developing and/or obtaining approval of project scopes, writing and presenting creative briefs, working with project managers on project plans and timelines, reviewing creative, and organizing and leading internal and external meetings. As a member of the account team, I have the opportunity to work with various teams within the agency including creative, planning, project managers, traffic, interactive and production.

How did you get your job?
I transferred to the Detroit office, from the Ogilvy-New York office in August of 2001. I started with Ogilvy-New York after graduating in May of 2000 from the J-School. I got my initial position as an assistant account executive by submitting my resume and interviewing with the Agency. While conducting my job search, I also contacted various J-School alumni and set up informational interviews to better understand the business and potential opportunities. As a student, there are many resources and alumni contacts that will help you when you are graduating and looking for a job.

Best professional lesson learned at the J-School?
The importance of always being a student...even beyond graduation. Especially in today's fast-paced and ever-changing world, it is important to never stop learning and continuing to expand your knowledge. What is relevant today may not be a year or two from now. This lesson - ingrained in us when we are in J-School - has continued to help me as I started off in the business, whether it be in understanding and learning new techniques in the advertising and communications arena, or in building knowledge of the client's business.

What would be your best advice to current students?
Don't be afraid to take initiative. Whether you are looking for a job, or already in a position, if you take initiative and work hard, you will standout.

What is one thing you wish you had done?
There really isn't anything that I wish I had done. I believe that everything happens for a reason, and if there is something that you want to do - or wished you had done - just go do it. If you work hard enough, you can achieve anything.