Career Path Of A Project Manager At Vigil Family Wines
Starting with college experiences as a student orientation leader, the career path then included marketing internships at a boutique agency (Mission Critical graphics) and J&L Marketing, coupled with freelance work for small businesses. After deciding against law school, Lauren pursued marketing, ascending from Marketing Coordinator to Business Development Manager at Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards before transitioning to project management at JDI LLC and Vigil Family Wines, highlighting experience not only with construction project management but also involvement in starting a family-owned winery and producing an upcoming first vintage of wines.
Marketing, Project Management, Winery, Internship Experience, Career Progression
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Lauren Vigil
Project Manager
Current Companies: JDI LLC & Vigil Family Wines - Former Company: Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards
Arizona State University (ASU) - W. P. Carey
Legal & Policy, Business Management & Admin, Marketing
Architecture, Construction & Design, Food, Beverages & Alcohol
Operations and Project Management
Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School
Video Highlights
1. Gained diverse marketing experience through internships at Mission Critical Graphics (boutique marketing agency) and J&L Marketing (auto industry), alongside freelance work for small businesses, showcasing adaptability and a broad skillset.
2. Progressed within Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards over five and a half years, starting as a Marketing Coordinator and advancing to Associate Brand Manager and Business Development Manager, illustrating career growth and commitment.
3. Transitioned from the wine industry to construction project management at Vigil Electric Supply while simultaneously starting a family-owned winery, demonstrating versatility and entrepreneurial spirit.
Transcript
Could you walk me through your career path, starting with your experiences in college? What internships or jobs did you have before your current role?
I started at SU in 2011. In 2013, I was a student orientation leader, helping incoming freshmen prepare for class registration and schedules. My goal was to help them feel at ease about starting school.
During my junior year, I interned at Mission Critical Graphics, a boutique marketing agency. I supported all aspects of their work, including business cards, websites, graphics, and reporting. Their focus was primarily the construction industry, though their clients were diverse.
Throughout college, I also did freelance work for small businesses, often family-owned or friends of family. I helped them create logos, websites, signage, business cards, and other marketing materials.
As I moved into my senior year, I attended school part-time. I interned as a promotions coordinator at J&L Marketing in the auto industry. This role involved travel to help sales teams at car dealerships become more effective for specific events. We would support a team in one city and then move on to the next.
After graduating, I took some time off, intending to go to law school. I did freelance work and studied for the LSATs. Ultimately, I decided to pursue a career in marketing.
In college, I double-majored in business law and digital marketing. I wanted to explore the marketing side of my education. I got a role as a marketing coordinator at Gloria Ferrer, a sparkling winery in Sonoma, for a few years.
I stayed with Gloria Ferrer for about five and a half years, gradually moving up to associate brand manager and then business development manager. I learned the business from the ground up and gained increasing responsibilities until I left in June 2022.
After that, I became a project manager for Vigil Electric Supply, a family-owned business. I now manage construction projects full-time. We are also starting our own winery on a farm in Sebastopol that we converted to a vineyard a few years ago. We will produce our first vintage this year and release it in June. That's my experience since college until now.