College Experiences That Helped a Brand Marketing Manager at AutoCamp Succeed
Alannah's undergraduate success stemmed from "joining clubs and being involved in things," specifically holding marketing leadership roles within a sorority and another club, providing valuable early experience. The breadth of courses taken, including unexpected subjects like rural agriculture and wine, helped develop self-awareness regarding collaboration preferences and ultimately clarified career interests, proving that "taking advantage of that opportunity to take different classes" yielded unexpected benefits.
Leadership, Networking, Career Exploration, Communication, Teamwork
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Alannah Paren
Brand Marketing Manager
AutoCamp
University of California Berkeley, 2020
UCLA MBA (in progress)
Film, Media Arts, Visual Arts
Hospitality, Restaurants & Events
Communication and Marketing
Honors Student, Greek Life Member, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. Taking on leadership roles in college clubs provided practical marketing experience and networking opportunities.
2. Exploring diverse college coursework helped identify personal strengths and interests, clarifying career goals.
3. Leveraging alumni networks within college clubs offered valuable mentorship and insights into potential career paths.
Transcript
What did you do in undergrad to set you up for success in your career?
Looking back, I wouldn't have said that moment was great for my career. Now that I'm out of school, I can see it differently. Reflecting on my undergrad experience, joining clubs and taking on leadership positions was really helpful in getting me to where I am today.
I was involved in a sorority and served as the marketing chair. I was also the marketing chair for another club. These roles looked and felt different, with varying responsibilities. I think this is a low-risk way to start exploring areas aligned with marketing.
It’s also a great way to connect with alumni who held similar positions. You can see where they are now and learn from them. Joining clubs and getting involved is, as I said, a low-risk but insightful way to start understanding what a field looks like.
The next thing that was really helpful in my success was taking a variety of classes. Every school is different, with some having set tracks and others encouraging exploration. Berkeley was the latter, and at times, it felt like too much.
However, I really think taking advantage of the opportunity to take different classes was beneficial. I took a class on rural agriculture and another on wine, alongside a class on surveys. While these aren't directly related to what I do now, they got me thinking and pushed me out of my comfort zone.
Even if the learning is indirect, like discovering you enjoy collaboration or prefer independent work, taking a variety of classes outside your major helps you discover your interests and yourself. This self-awareness is incredibly helpful in your career and in figuring things out.
When you're an undergrad, the world is your oyster. It's about finding clarity. So, expanding yourself by joining clubs and taking classes different from your major is awesome and helps you later in life.