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Clare, Account Coordinator at Costin Public Outreach Group: Advize Career Interview
An Account Coordinator at Costin Public Outreach Group navigates a dynamic career path shaped by a passion for people and community.
The role involves diverse responsibilities, from crisis management to event planning, requiring flexibility, sociability, and attention to detail.
Day-to-day work varies, balancing remote tasks with in-office relationship building and unique assignments like gathering public feedback on bus routes.
What excites most is the constant learning, growth opportunities, and seeing the positive impact of projects, particularly transportation initiatives, on people's lives.
Thriving in public outreach requires emotional intelligence, adaptability, and passion. At Costin Public Outreach Group, internships and entry-level account coordinator positions offer a chance to "feel it out" and develop skills over time.
A significant lesson learned is to trust capabilities while remaining humble and open to feedback, following a natural path, even if unconventional, to a fulfilling career.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Clare Bastian
Account Coordinator
Costin Public Outreach Group
Chapman University
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Philosophy
Advertising, Communications & Marketing
Consulting
Watch all of this Advizer's videos below
Career Path of an Account Coordinator at Costin Public Outreach Group
Clare didn't have a specific post-grad plan, but the leadership program, the minor being in leadership, opened doors and helped realize a passion for people and community, leading to roles working with students, at-risk youth, and learning community outreach; this experience ultimately led to current role as an Account Coordinator where Clare handles communications and works with people, saying "I get to do a lot of people stuff."
Main Responsibilities of an Account Coordinator at Costin Public Outreach Group
Clare's responsibilities as an Account Coordinator at Costin Public Outreach Group are diverse and can range from "crisis management to special events planning," requiring wearing "a lot of different hats." The role also includes outreach, community and public relations, event planning, organizational tasks, database review, and marketing analytics, creating a dynamic environment where "you kind of never know exactly like what you're waking up to."
A Day In The Life Of An Account Coordinator At Costin Public Outreach Group
An accounting coordinator's day-to-day work is quite varied, but Clare primarily works from home doing remote tasks on the computer; however, "every day is a little bit different," as demonstrated by a month-long assignment of riding buses to gather public feedback, and once a week they go into the office for relationship building.
Most Important Skills For an Account Coordinator at Costin Public Outreach Group
For an Account Coordinator role like Clare's at Costin Public Outreach Group, flexibility to transition between diverse tasks is vital, alongside sociability to navigate conversations, especially when addressing sensitive topics with the public; furthermore, attention to detail is crucial for managing databases and providing accurate information, with a passion for the job overall ensuring a consistent level of performance amidst constant changes.
Favorite Parts of Being an Account Coordinator at Costin Public Outreach Group
Clare enjoys the dynamic nature of being an Account Coordinator, especially the constant learning and the ability to do many different things; Costin Public Outreach Group fosters growth, allowing Clare to pursue interests like social media graphics, ultimately leading to taking on the role of the "main social media person" for a project, and growing in ways that feel meaningful.
Biggest Challenges Faced By An Account Coordinator At Costin Public Outreach Group
Clare's biggest challenge as an Account Coordinator at Costin Public Outreach Group stems from the isolating nature of remote work, despite recognizing the privilege of it; as a self-described extrovert, Clare misses regular in-person interaction, but this is "balanced out" by more demanding experiences, like a month spent on buses every morning.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Public Outreach Industry As An Account Coordinator
Clare most enjoys "seeing the positive impact that the projects" at Costin Public Outreach Group have on people, particularly transportation projects. Getting to see the behind-the-scenes of why projects are necessary and how they help people long term is fulfilling, especially witnessing the vital role of bus routes in people's everyday lives.
What Type Of Person Thrives In Public Relations, According To An Account Coordinator At Costin Public Outreach
Clare, an Account Coordinator at Costin Public Outreach Group, believes that those who thrive in the public outreach industry are typically "emotionally intelligent, adaptable, and passionate," implying these traits are crucial for success in connecting with and understanding diverse communities. The role likely requires navigating complex social dynamics and advocating for various causes, necessitating these skills for effective communication and collaboration.
What an Account Coordinator at Costin Public Outreach Group Learned Before Entering the Public Relations Industry
Clare doesn't identify any specific piece of knowledge that would have been helpful beforehand, expressing a personal philosophy that "we're given lessons, like when we're ready to receive them," and valuing the positive context in which these lessons were learned at Costin Public Outreach Group. Instead, Clare embraces the idea that "everything happens for a reason" and appreciates the organic nature of professional growth.
Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Account Coordinators at Costin Public Outreach Group
At Costin Public Outreach Group, internships offer a chance to "feel it out" since roles are not rigidly structured, and an entry-level candidate can consider applying to be an "account coordinator" where skills are developed over time, allowing the role to evolve. This account coordinator position involves gathering more skills and experience, suggesting a path for professional development within the company.
Significant Career Lesson From An Account Coordinator At Costin Public Outreach Group
Clare learned the significant lesson to "trust [themself]" and their capabilities, especially given a strong work ethic, while remaining "humble and open to feedback." This encourages taking chances, because Costin Public Outreach Group hired them "for a reason."
College Experiences That Helped an Account Coordinator at Costin Public Outreach Succeed
Clare attributes career success to "following the path that came naturally" in college, rather than pursuing prestigious titles or roles that didn't resonate with them, which included studying philosophy despite its seemingly limited career applications, but instead found it helped in unexpected ways. Trusting intuition and aligning passions ultimately led Clare to a fulfilling career path as an Account Coordinator.
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