Antonio, Marketing Associate at University of San Diego, Knauss School of Business: Advize Career Interview
Antonio's journey to Marketing Associate at the University of San Diego's Knauss School of Business, proves that unconventional paths can lead to rewarding careers.
From television broadcast direction and plumbing to freelance social media marketing and an MBA, the path highlights the importance of time management, self-discipline, and a willingness to embrace vulnerability.
A typical day involves creating engaging content, managing social media, and enjoying supportive coworker relationships. Challenges like imposter syndrome are reframed as opportunities for learning and growth.
Thriving in the marketing industry requires proactive content creation, consistent performance tracking, and a willingness to connect with others.
Success, for a Marketing Associate, stems from consistency, commitment, and seizing every opportunity to build a strong portfolio and demonstrate measurable results.
The role blends visual creativity with the fast-paced nature of social media, making it "invigorating" and fostering personal growth and connection, while the suggestions of freelancing or acting as a teaching assistant during college provide entry-level insight for interested students.
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Antonio Flores
Marketing Associate
University of San Diego, Knauss School of Business
California State University Long Beach
MBA with concentration in Marketing from University of San Diego
Film, Media Arts, Visual Arts
Advertising, Communications & Marketing
Communication and Marketing
Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, LGBTQ, First Generation College Student
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Career Path of a Marketing Associate at University of San Diego
Antonio's path to becoming a Marketing Associate at the University of San Diego was "a little bit unconventional," starting with film school aspirations and a job as a television broadcast director and plumber, which led to crafting a freelance social media marketing business "in the evenings, on the side, on the weekends" to find a creative outlet and ultimately pursuing an MBA with a concentration in marketing at the University of San Diego to formalize practical marketing knowledge.
Main Responsibilities of a Marketing Associate at University of San Diego Knauss School of Business
As a Marketing Associate at the Knauss School of Business, a main responsibility is event promotion, especially preparing content for the "September rollout" and highlighting school events. The role involves pre- and post-event outreach, which includes managing student engagement on Instagram through "ask me anything" sessions to ensure students "have the right information and that they know where to go."
A Day In The Life Of A Marketing Associate At University Of San Diego
A marketing associate's day is quite varied, with mornings often dedicated to creating TikTok content for a finance account, involving "script writing, editing, and a lot of brand management." Antonio's afternoons are spent at the University of San Diego, where video editing, creating promotional flyers, and enjoying the company of coworkers fill the time, with a bit of freelance editing rounding out the day.
Most Important Skills For A Marketing Associate At University Of San Diego Knauss School Of Business
Antonio, a Marketing Associate at the University of San Diego's Knauss School of Business, emphasizes that time management and self-discipline are crucial for success in social media and digital marketing, particularly drawing from experience as a freelance worker where "you gotta do what you gotta do" to find clients, organize shoots, and deliver content effectively and in a timely manner. Though prioritizing comfort and rest is important, Antonio highlights the need to "put on your big boy pants" and motivate oneself to work, even on weekends.
Favorite Parts of Being a Marketing Associate at Knauss School of Business
Antonio enjoys the creativity of the marketing role at the Knauss School of Business, finding it "very invigorating" and fostering personal growth and connection, a stark contrast to feeling "out of place" in a previous plumbing job. The supportive environment and strong coworker relationships are also a significant highlight, making Antonio feel like coming to work is "like a breath of fresh air".
Biggest Challenges Faced by a Marketing Associate at University of San Diego
Antonio's biggest challenge as a Marketing Associate stems from "imposter syndrome" and self-doubt inherent in a creative role, especially in the unpredictable realm of social media marketing where success often relies on "trial and error" and constant readjustment based on data, leading to internal struggles when a campaign "flops." The challenge lies in overcoming the feeling of inadequacy after unsuccessful posts and reframing it as a learning opportunity to "collect data and readjust" rather than a personal failure.
Favorite Parts of Working in the Marketing Industry as a Marketing Associate
Antonio enjoys that marketing at the Knauss School of Business blends their passion for visual creativity, stemming from their filmmaking background, with the fast-paced, accessible nature of modern social media marketing where "you get to see your results pretty quickly," which is more rewarding than the long turnaround times of the film industry. The role allows someone to be "visually creative" and put out content on a faster basis.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Marketing Industry According To A Marketing Associate At Knauss School Of Business
To thrive in the marketing industry, especially in roles like content creation or account management, one must "just gotta do it" and "take like a leap of faith" by consistently creating content and monitoring results. Antonio emphasizes the importance of actively starting and maintaining a consistent online presence while diligently tracking performance and brand positioning to achieve success in the field.
What A Marketing Associate At USD Knauss School Of Business Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Marketing Industry
Antonio wishes someone had warned that success in marketing requires vulnerability and openness. One "can't expect [oneself] to block [oneself] off from the world" but instead must "embrace interpersonal connections" to create resonant content and learn from others, even though doing so can be initially scary, especially for introverted individuals.
Entry-level Positions for Aspiring Digital Marketing Associates at University of San Diego
For aspiring marketers, Antonio suggests freelancing to build a strong portfolio with demonstrable results like "views, followers, engagement," and recommends leveraging opportunities like a teaching assistant position with a marketing professor for free lectures and tuition benefits. In particular, Antonio suggests pitching to local business like coffee shops or hair stylists so that one can "become their in-house, um, like little social media, Instagram, uh, manager, and just start from there."
Significant Career Lesson From A Marketing Associate At University Of San Diego
Antonio's most significant career lesson is that success is attainable for everyone, even after feeling stuck and like a "failure" in previous roles. The key is to "stay committed and be consistent," building confidence and a portfolio over time to demonstrate measurable results and realize that success is out there to claim.
College Experiences That Helped a Marketing Associate at University of San Diego Knauss School of Business Succeed
To prepare for a marketing career at the University of San Diego, Knauss School of Business, Antonio emphasizes the importance of seizing "every opportunity," even ones that seem uncertain, as this creates fallback options and maximizes the college experience. As Antonio says, "it really is what you make of it," so applying oneself to various programs, even facing rejections, opens doors to unexpected opportunities and ensures a worthwhile investment.
Advizer Personal Links
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/antoniofloresmarketing , Marketing Portfolio: https://antoniofloresmarketing.my.canva.site/