College Experiences That Helped a CEO and Co-Founder at Digital Niche Agency Succeed
Jason, CEO & Co-Founder of DNA, prioritized experiential learning during undergraduate studies, shifting from business to marketing and actively seeking "projects, assignments, and internships" to build a strong foundation. This focus on accumulating valuable experiences, rather than solely monetary gains, allowed the professional to "stack...value points" that continue to benefit their career trajectory.
Career Exploration, Networking, Internships, Experiential Learning, Building a Strong Foundation
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Jason Fishman
CEO & Co-Founder
Digital Niche Agency (DNA)
NA
NA
General Studies / Not Applicable
Finance (Banking, Fintech, Investing), Advertising, Communications & Marketing
Entrepreneurship and Business Owner
Worked 20+ Hours in School
Video Highlights
1. Prioritize experience over immediate monetary gains in early career choices. Focus on building a strong foundation of skills and experience that will benefit you later.
2. Actively engage with professors, join clubs and organizations, and reach out to local businesses for projects and internships to gain practical experience and build your network.
3. View your undergraduate education as an opportunity to build a compelling narrative for your resume, showcasing your skills and value to potential employers. Highlight early successes and projects to demonstrate your abilities.
Transcript
What did you do as an undergraduate to set you up for success in your career?
I started as a business major. I moved to marketing, looking at that as the creative element of business as a whole.
I spent extra time with my professors and joined clubs and organizations. I reached out to local businesses for projects and assignments. When I found that these businesses were very open to supporting a student to build relationships, I sought out internships.
I focused on careers and industries that I was passionate about, prioritizing experience over monetary goals throughout my twenties. This really set me up for a strong foundation for my thirties.
I'm not saying I didn't have successes in my twenties, but I viewed my education and experiences as opportunities to build my resume and my story. I considered what each experience would add to my value for an organization.
Being able to stack as many value points as possible benefits you in the early stages. I still reference some of my early campaigns from the end of my academic career and the early stages of my business career to this day.