My interest in communication started from a young age. Growing up, I would attempt to convince my family members to listen to my amateur news reports given in the form of a hairbrush microphone. As my communication and computer skills sophisticated, my attention turned to utilizing them both through online outlets. I took pride in crafting the perfect AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) away message. As the days of AIM faded, my passion for communication remained.
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When exploring undergraduate majors at UNCW, communication studies immediately piqued my interest and was a natural choice. Enrolling in courses such as interpersonal communication and integrated marketing communication provided me with fundamental skills in the field. Completing a degree in Communication Studies and a Minor in Leadership ultimately led to the beginning of my career in advertising and marketing at WECT-TV following graduation in 2015.
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Little did I know, my first full-time job would expose me to the world of digital communications and marketing while providing a blueprint for my future career path. Through the mentorship of my manager at WECT, I was able to gain professional skills such as programmatic advertising, analytics reporting, website development, and content creation. These skills eventually led to an opportunity at Capitol Broadcasting Company as a Digital Marketing Strategist. Through my role as a Digital Strategist, I was able to help both small and large businesses develop multi-channel marketing strategies. Working for a media agency helped to further my professional skills and learn new skills such as search engine optimization, Google AdWords, and reputation management. After partnering with multiple businesses in different industries, I decided to focus my skill set on developing one brand. This decision guided my journey to my current role as a Marketing and Communications Manager at IAT Insurance Group. Through my current position, I am responsible for overseeing IAT’s corporate website strategy, social media channels, vendor relationships and digital advertising. These professional experiences have solidified my decision to pursue marketing communication as a lifelong career.
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Being immersed in the communication marketing field for the past ten years has helped develop and shape my personal and professional goals. One of these goals included expanding my current skill set, which motivated me to pursue a master's degree in integrated marketing communication at UNCW. The marketing communication field is consistently evolving and staying abreast of current trends and business insights are essential. By successfully completing the M.A. program, I have gained invaluable skills such as crisis communication, digital storytelling, brand analysis and research, marketing strategy, and more. These skills have resulted in the ability to apply IMC theories and concepts, making me a more efficient marketer and strategist.
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I am a driven and motivated professional with a passion for digital media and IMC. If you are interested in learning more about my communication style, please check out my Forté Communication Style Report below. This report details my natural communication preferences and strengths, highlights how I have recently been adapting to specific individuals, teams, and environments, and how I am most likely coming across to others. Lastly, I have also included a link to my resume below as well if you would like to learn more about my experience. If you have any questions or would like to connect, please do not hesitate to reach out!
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