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Kelsey, Director of Marketing & Communications at Shriners Children's Northern California : Advize Career Interview
A career in marketing and communications offers diverse opportunities, as illustrated by the journey of a Director of Marketing & Communications at Shriners Children's Northern California.
A communication studies degree and internships, including one at Ogilvy Public Relations, laid a strong foundation, culminating in a rewarding role managing all communications initiatives, from budgeting and advertising to media relations and social media.
The position's variety, encompassing strategic storytelling and crisis communication, is highlighted, alongside the importance of strong writing skills, strategic networking, and mentorship.
Success in this field requires creativity, curiosity, and a strong work ethic, while collaboration and project management are paramount.
Entry-level opportunities abound in areas like media relations and social media, and proactive networking is key.
The interviewee's personal journey, balancing higher education and motherhood, emphasizes the importance of strong support systems.
This fulfilling career offers the chance to serve the community and make a real difference, making it an exciting field for ambitious students.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Kelsey Morgado
Director of Marketing & Communications
Shriners Children's Northern California
California State University, Chico
California State University, Chico - Master of Arts
Communications
Healthcare
Communication and Marketing
Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School
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Career Path of a Director of Marketing and Communications at Shriners Children's Northern California
Kelsey's career path began with a communication studies degree at California State University, Chico, fueled by a passion for speech and debate, which led to an internship at Ogilvy Public Relations focusing on health communications. This experience, coupled with further graduate study in health communications, ultimately guided Kelsey to their current fulfilling role as Director of Marketing & Communications at Shriners Children's Northern California, where they found a position that allows them to "serve other people in their community".
Main Responsibilities of a Director of Marketing and Communications at Shriners Children's Northern California
Kelsey, Director of Marketing & Communications at Shriners Children's Northern California, oversees "all initiatives within the program," encompassing budgeting, advertising, media relations, content creation, and social media management. This also includes serving as the facility's Public Information Officer and crafting "talking points and speeches" for the leadership team, showcasing a wide-ranging role encompassing both internal and external communications strategies.
A Day In The Life Of A Director Of Marketing And Communications At Shriners Children's Northern California
Kelsey, a Director of Marketing & Communications, finds the variety inherent in the role most enjoyable, stating that "no two days ever look the same." This variety allows the team to be "strategic, smart, impactful storytellers," juggling projects ranging from media relations to content creation and crisis communication.
Most Important Skills for a Director of Marketing and Communications at Shriners Children's Northern California
Kelsey, a Director of Marketing & Communications, emphasizes strong writing skills as "incredibly important," advising students to actively practice this through clubs and extracurriculars. Strategic networking is also highlighted as crucial for both career advancement and achieving business objectives.
Favorite Parts of Being a Director of Marketing and Communications at Shriners Children's
Kelsey, Director of Marketing & Communications at Shriners Children's Northern California, most enjoys mentoring young professionals, stating that "I really love the opportunity to mentor, teach and coach" those interested in the field. This mentorship includes training team members on various communication skills, from media pitching to patient family interviews.
Biggest Challenges Faced by a Director of Marketing and Communications at Shriners Children's Northern California
Kelsey's biggest challenge as Director of Marketing & Communications is "forcing myself and making time to always be in tune with what is considered best practice in the industry," requiring dedicated time for conferences and workshops to stay current with rapidly evolving trends like artificial intelligence in healthcare communications. This commitment to professional development reflects a proactive approach to navigating a dynamic career landscape.
Favorite Parts of Working in the Healthcare Industry as a Director of Marketing and Communications
Kelsey, Director of Marketing & Communications at Shriners Children's Northern California, finds the greatest fulfillment in "the opportunity to serve [the] community and to help kids," leveraging marketing expertise to connect families in need with world-class pediatric care regardless of financial limitations. This mission-driven aspect of the role is a key source of job satisfaction.
What type of person thrives in the Marketing and Communications industry, according to a Director of Marketing and Communications at Shriners Children's
Kelsey, a Director of Marketing & Communications, identifies creativity, curiosity, and a willingness to "think outside the box" as key traits for success in the field. The career path also demands a strong work ethic, emphasizing that "putting in the time and the work" ultimately leads to great achievements.
What a Marketing Director at Shriners Children's wishes they had known before entering the marketing industry
Kelsey, a Director of Marketing & Communications, reflects on a crucial lesson learned: "your entire career is one big giant group project," emphasizing the critical need for collaboration, empathy, project management, and delegation skills—all aspects learned through, ironically, the disliked college group projects. This highlights the importance of developing teamwork skills early in one's career path.
Entry-level Positions For Aspiring Marketing And Communications Professionals
Numerous entry-level internships in marketing and communications are available, including roles in media relations, event planning, social media management, content development, and writing. Kelsey, a Director of Marketing & Communications, advises that even if no openings are listed, expressing interest directly to companies might create opportunities, emphasizing that "sometimes people will be willing to make a position for you if you express interest".
Significant Career Lesson from a Director of Marketing and Communications at Shriners Children's
Kelsey, Director of Marketing & Communications, emphasizes the significant impact of networking on career advancement, stating that "it's really important to just stay connected and make yourself known." This is particularly insightful given their admission of introversion, highlighting the importance of proactive relationship-building for achieving both personal and professional goals.
College Experiences That Helped a Director of Marketing and Communications at Shriners Children's Northern California Succeed
Kelsey's undergraduate success stemmed from actively seeking leadership roles in clubs— "becoming captain and president of the Chico State Wakeboard team"—and networking with alumni. This proactive approach provided transferable skills and experience highly valued by employers, demonstrating the importance of "putting yourself out there" to build a strong career foundation.
How Identity Has Influenced The Career Of A Director Of Marketing And Communications At Shriners Children's Northern California
Balancing higher education and motherhood presented significant challenges, with the interviewee emphasizing the crucial role of a "strong support network" and actively seeking available resources such as counselors and advisors. The experience underscored the importance of utilizing available support systems and not hesitating to "ask for help" when navigating the complexities of career progression while raising children.
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