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".
Communication, Healthcare Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Career Development
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, Medical & Wellness
Communication and Marketing
Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School
Video Highlights
1. Kelsey's involvement in speech and debate in college fueled her interest in communications, public affairs, and marketing.
2. Her internships at Ogilvy Public Relations solidified her interest in health communications, leading her to pursue a graduate degree in the field.
3. Her career progression highlights a transition from public affairs to a role at Shriners Children's, driven by a desire to combine professional skills with community service.
Transcript
Could you walk me through your career path, starting with your experiences in college? Did you have any internships or jobs before your current role?
I started college at Butte Glen Community College in Northern California, and later transferred to California State University, Chico. At Chico State, I became really interested in communication studies.
I really enjoyed my speech and debate course and was involved with the school's speech and debate team. I ended up competing at the state and national level. Being involved in speech and debate inspired me to pursue a career in communications, public affairs, and specifically marketing and communications.
I majored in communication studies with a minor in international relations. That background really helped prepare me for the speech and debate team. After graduating from Chico State in 2012, I had an internship at Ogilvy Public Relations, an international public relations, advertising, and marketing firm.
At Ogilvy, I became involved in client projects related to health communications. Many of my clients were Covered California, Planned Parenthood, First Five Sacramento, and First Five Los Angeles. It was there that I became heavily interested in healthcare communications specifically.
I returned to graduate school at Chico State to pursue health communications further. Once I graduated from the program, I came back to Sacramento to work at advertising agencies in the area, including Runyon Saltzman and Lucas Public Affairs.
It was there that I realized the public affairs role wasn't as fulfilling for me. I was looking for a way to serve other people, taking my passions and interests and applying them to serving my community.
Then I found this position at Shriners Children's, Northern California. I started in a manager role and was eventually promoted to director. I'm really happy and passionate about the work I do here at Shriners Children's.