top of page
Kelsie, Account Director at SHIFT Communications : Advize Career Interview
A career in marketing and public relations, as detailed by an Account Director at SHIFT Communications, offers a dynamic path built on internships and fellowships.
This professional's journey highlights the importance of strong writing, creative problem-solving, and proactive networking.
A typical day involves strategic oversight of multiple client projects, mentorship of junior staff, and collaboration with senior leadership.
The industry is described as fun, creative, and surprisingly balanced, but success requires a positive attitude, strategic thinking, and the ability to advocate for oneself.
Entry-level roles include coordinator and specialist positions, providing foundational experience across various marketing disciplines.
This professional's advice for students includes aggressive networking, utilizing informational interviews, and embracing opportunities beyond typical job descriptions.
The significant role of computer work is also noted as a factor for consideration when entering the field.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Kelsie Axelrod
Account Director
SHIFT Communications
Bentley University
none
Environmental & Related Sciences, Marketing
Advertising, Communications & Marketing
Communication and Marketing
Student Athlete
Watch all of this Advizer's videos below
Career Path of an Account Director at SHIFT Communications
Kelsie's career path began with internships at an ad agency and a waste management company, where they gained experience in "flyer marketing materials" and "earned media," before a pivotal Ketchum fellowship launched their PR career. Following this, the account director spent time in various PR and marketing roles at different agencies and in-house, ultimately leading to their current position at SHIFT Communications after almost six years.
Main Responsibilities of an Account Director at SHIFT Communications
Kelsie's main responsibilities as an Account Director at SHIFT Communications involve developing "strategic direction for across six different programs," encompassing marketing, PR, and social media plans, and managing teams of up to 10 people while adhering to budgets and deadlines; a significant portion of the role, and Kelsie's favorite part, is coaching and mentoring junior staff, fostering their career advancement and providing networking opportunities.
A Day In The Life Of An Account Director At SHIFT Communications
A day for Kelsie as an Account Director at SHIFT Communications involves reviewing content and providing feedback, mentoring junior team members ("moral support and anything they need"), and strategically overseeing multiple projects across clients to ensure timely completion. Kelsie also collaborates with senior leadership on growth strategies and staffing.
Most Important Skills For An Account Director At SHIFT Communications
Kelsie, an Account Director at SHIFT Communications, emphasizes strong writing skills—"whether that's long form, short form writing"—as crucial for success. Equally important are "positive problem solving and creativity," reframing challenges as opportunities for collaborative solutions.
Favorite Parts of Being an Account Director at SHIFT Communications
Kelsie, an Account Director at SHIFT Communications, most enjoys "coaching junior or entry-level folks" and developing "really weird creative ideas," such as a viral social media campaign concept like a "pickle McFlurry" for McDonald's, which demonstrates both mentorship and innovative thinking within their career.
Biggest Challenges Faced by an Account Director at SHIFT Communications
Kelsie's biggest challenge as an Account Director at SHIFT Communications is the broad scope of marketing areas they oversee, "stretched kind of across all areas of marketing," from paid media to events. This requires Kelsie to effectively delegate tasks and rely on colleagues' expertise to stay current, illustrating the complexities and collaborative nature of a high-level marketing role.
Favorite Parts of Working in the Marketing Industry as an Account Director
Kelsie, an Account Director at SHIFT Communications, finds the marketing industry "fun, creative," and surprisingly low-pressure, allowing for a healthy work-life balance; the networking aspect and overall positive atmosphere are also highlighted as enjoyable aspects of their career.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Marketing Industry, According To An Account Director At SHIFT Communications
Kelsie, an Account Director at SHIFT Communications, highlights a "positive outlook" and "natural networking" abilities as crucial for success in the marketing industry. The ability to think "big picture" and strategically plan ahead, considering factors such as holiday campaigns while working on immediate tasks like social media posts, is also key to thriving.
What an Account Director at SHIFT Communications Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Public Relations Industry
Kelsie, an Account Director at SHIFT Communications, advises those entering the industry to consider the significant amount of computer time involved in the role, stating "this role is mostly on your computer and spending time there." Before entering the field, prospective professionals should carefully consider whether a largely computer-based work environment aligns with their preferences.
Entry-level positions for aspiring Account Coordinators
Kelsie, an Account Director at SHIFT Communications, identifies entry-level roles in public relations and marketing as "account coordinator, marketing coordinator, social media specialist, [and] marketing specialist," advising undergraduates to seek "coordinator, specialist type titles" depending on their area of interest within the various departments. These roles provide foundational experience in client relations, social media, or marketing functions like email marketing and paid media.
Significant Career Lesson From an Account Director at SHIFT Communications
Kelsie's most significant career lesson is "being your own advocate," actively seeking mentors and "raising your hand" for opportunities outside of typical responsibilities. This proactive approach, according to Kelsie, is key to career advancement.
College Experiences That Helped an Account Director at SHIFT Communications Succeed
Kelsie's successful career path began with proactive networking, "getting to know professors, other students," and aggressively pursuing opportunities through cold-calling PR agencies for informational interviews—a strategy that landed their first role at Ketchum. This approach, combined with a focus on self-marketing, highlights the importance of proactive job searching and showcasing one's skills beyond traditional application methods.
How Identity Has Influenced an Account Director's Career at SHIFT Communications
Navigating a career in marketing, the Account Director at SHIFT Communications shared that a key lesson learned was the importance of being assertive and advocating for oneself, stating that "women really have to be loud and advocate for themselves". This included consciously avoiding overly conciliatory communication styles, such as excessive exclamation points in emails, to project a more serious and respected professional image.
Advizer Personal Links
bottom of page