Career Path of an Account Executive at Deutsch LA
Christopher's career path began early, with high school radio and freelance journalism experience, building into college roles as news director and general manager of an independent radio station, demonstrating "a lot about the business of media." Post-graduation, networking and a proactive cold email secured a coordinator role at Deutsch LA, leading to Christopher's current Account Executive position managing the Walmart account.
Media Industry, Account Management, Career Progression, Networking, Cold Emailing
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Christopher Morales
Account Executive
Deutsch LA
Cornell University, 2020
N/A
Communications
Arts, Entertainment & Media, Advertising, Communications & Marketing
Creative
Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Transfer Student, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. High school experience in radio broadcasting and freelance journalism developed writing and communication skills.
2. College experience as news director and general manager of an independent radio station provided valuable leadership and business management experience.
3. Proactive job searching, including networking and sending cold emails, led to a successful career start in the advertising industry despite a hiring freeze.
Transcript
Could you walk me through your career path, starting with your experience in college? Please include any internships or jobs you had before your current role.
I currently work in advertising, which is adjacent to the media industry. I consider my start in the media industry to have been in high school.
My high school had a radio station and a radio club, so I hosted music shows on the weekends between classes. I also had my own show where I created my own segments and playlists. I used to narrate soccer matches as well.
Additionally, a friend who was a travel journalist gave me the opportunity to write for their blog. This allowed me to hone my writing skills and gain experience writing about amusement parks, sporting events, and museums.
After high school, I pursued radio again in college, becoming a news and sports reporter. By my junior year, I was the news director for my college radio station. I was responsible for creating my own reports, conducting local interviews, and managing other news reporters.
In my senior year of college, I served as the general manager of the radio station. This station was independent from the university, meaning we managed our own operations, programming, and funding. It taught me a great deal about the business of media.
My internships included time at a talent agency in Hollywood, a marketing agency, and freelance journalism in my hometown of Los Angeles. These experiences were invaluable for content creation. I graduated in May 2020, in the middle of the pandemic.
Despite a hiring freeze, I maintained communication with professionals to understand their career paths and seek advice. In November 2020, I sent a cold email to my current company, Deutsche La, outlining my background and interest in employment opportunities.
Although they had nothing available at the time, they contacted me a few weeks later. They were forming a new team and specifically seeking a coordinator for their account management and performance marketing team. I interviewed and started in January 2021. Since then, I have progressed within the account management department, and I am currently working on the Walmart account.