Frances, Retiree at AT&T : Advize Career Interview
A 41-year career at AT&T, beginning straight out of high school, showcases an inspiring journey from a call center to a fulfilling career in marketing.
This path highlights the importance of persistence and adaptability, progressing through various roles including coaching, area management, and ultimately specialized performance management.
The interview reveals a dynamic day-to-day life filled with meetings, creative collaboration, and the meticulous attention to detail necessary for success in marketing.
The interviewee emphasizes the value of strong relationships, tangible results, and navigating the complexities of "managing up." Advice includes securing internships, seeking mentors outside one's direct chain of command, and maintaining ethical conduct.
Entry-level opportunities at AT&T, including a Leadership Development Program, are also highlighted, along with the importance of creativity, outspokenness, and a willingness to share unconventional ideas.
The overarching message is that a successful marketing career demands persistence, strong ethics, and a dedication to continuous learning and development.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Frances Groeneman
Retiree
AT&T
University of Redlands, 1994
University of LaVerne MSLM
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Business Management & Admin
Advertising, Communications & Marketing
Communication and Marketing
None Applicable
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Career Path of a Retiree at AT&T
Frances's 41-year career at AT&T began straight out of high school in a call center, progressing through roles such as "coach" and area manager while simultaneously pursuing a business and management degree part-time; this ultimately led to a specialized performance management role and, finally, a fulfilling career in marketing, a field the retiree "just loved." While advising students to "get as many internships as you can," the interviewee's unique career path highlights the possibility of alternative routes to success.
Main Responsibilities Of A Former Marketing Professional At AT&T
Frances's marketing career at AT&T encompassed diverse responsibilities, including "field marketing"—a blend of training and promotion—and various other approaches such as direct mail, internet marketing, experiential marketing, and email campaigns, all focused on product promotion and maximizing sales. This illustrates a wide-ranging skillset within the marketing field, showcasing adaptation across evolving communication channels.
A Day In The Life Of A Marketing Manager At AT&T
A marketing manager's day, Frances recounted, was "never a dull moment," filled with numerous meetings—with advertising agencies, the internal team, and legal—to review materials, ensure compliance, and foster creative collaboration. The process involved securing "legal permission for every single word," highlighting the regulatory complexities of advertising, yet Frances cherished the "interaction and sharing of ideas" with "super sharp people."
Most Important Skills From A Retiree At AT&T
Meticulous attention to detail is paramount, as illustrated by a colleague's costly mistake with misprinted t-shirts, highlighting the importance of "dotting i's and t's" and having "multiple sets of eyes" review materials before public release to ensure accuracy and avoid similar mishaps. This level of precision was crucial in Frances's career at AT&T, where legal scrutiny of public-facing materials was a necessity.
Favorite Parts Of Working At AT&T
Frances's favorite aspects of her AT&T role centered on "great relationships" with colleagues and the daily variety offered by "multiple campaigns, multiple types of marketing." The tangible results of successful campaigns, leading to exceeding goals and achieving raises, provided immense satisfaction.
Biggest Challenges Faced By A Professional At AT&T
Frances's greatest challenge as a long-tenured AT&T retiree involved "managing up," navigating differing expectations from supervisors and senior leadership. This included the frustration of simplifying complex work, such as marketing campaigns, into concise presentations for executives who desired only "the top line."
Favorite Parts of Working in Telecommunications as an AT&T Retiree
Frances's long and fulfilling career at AT&T was defined by the company's constant evolution, "selling landline phone service" and adapting to include internet, cell phones, TV, and fiber optics. This allowed Frances nine different roles, preventing boredom and highlighting the advantages of working for a company that successfully adapts to market changes.
What Type Of Person Thrives In Marketing, According To A Retiree At AT&T
Frances, a retired AT&T marketing professional, emphasizes that success in marketing requires being "meticulous, creative, and outspoken," encouraging individuals to confidently share ideas, even if they seem unconventional. This approach, according to Frances, is key to thriving not only in AT&T's specific industry but in marketing generally.
What A Retiree At AT&T Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Telecommunications Industry
Frances, a retired AT&T employee, stresses the crucial importance of seeking a mentor "independent from your chain of command," advising that this expands professional networks and opens doors to future opportunities, including potentially securing a desired position. This mentorship, the interviewee emphasizes, should be a continuous process, evolving over time as career goals change.
Entry-Level Positions For Recent College Graduates At AT&T
AT&T offers entry-level marketing positions and a "Leadership Development Program" for college graduates, which rotates participants through various roles like "managing a crew of technicians" and marketing to build leadership skills; an MBA is recommended for the program.
Significant Career Lesson From a Retiree at AT&T
Frances's most significant career lesson is that "everything that you do matters," emphasizing the importance of maintaining a strong reputation through honesty and ethical conduct. This includes resisting pressure to cut corners or engage in questionable behavior, advising that if a situation's morality is uncertain, it likely isn't right.
College Experiences That Helped A Retiree At AT&T Succeed
Frances's unconventional career path highlights the importance of persistence; the key takeaway from Frances's undergraduate experience is the simple yet powerful advice, "just don't give up," a lesson applicable to both academics and career success.
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