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Melanie, Director of Operations at Linqia: Advize Career Interview
A career journey beginning with cafe work unexpectedly blossomed into a thriving career in digital marketing.
A Linqia Director of Operations' path showcases growth from customer success management to leading multiple teams, highlighting the value of on-the-job learning and initiative.
The role demands people-oriented skills, focusing on mentorship, problem-solving, and navigating unpredictable situations.
Curiosity, a willingness to learn, and a fair approach to challenges are key attributes, while the most rewarding aspect is the daily variety and strong colleague connections.
Although emotionally demanding at times, the creator-focused industry offers authenticity and allows for significant professional impact.
The interviewee recommends entry-level roles like customer success or sales development representative, emphasizing the importance of client interaction and soft skills developed through diverse experiences.
A valuable lesson learned emphasizes objectivity in problem-solving, and a first-generation college student perspective highlights the importance of utilizing college to build soft skills and learn through observation, proving that diverse pathways lead to success.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Melanie Archer
Director of Operations
Linqia
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
N/A
English, Writing & Education, English
Advertising, Communications & Marketing
Operations and Project Management
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, First Generation College Student
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Career Path of a Director of Operations at Linqia
Melanie's career path, beginning with "jobs, like working in a cafe," unexpectedly led to a digital marketing role at a small startup, providing valuable on-the-job learning. This experience, coupled with subsequent roles at Linqia—starting as a customer success manager, transitioning to the paid and measurement team, and ultimately leading three teams in a senior operations role—demonstrates a trajectory of growth driven by both experience and initiative.
Main Responsibilities of a Director of Operations at Linqia
Melanie, a Director of Operations at Linqia, focuses on "people-oriented" responsibilities, managing managers and prioritizing "learning and development and growth" for team members—many of whom are early in their careers—"to understand their larger career paths." This involves problem-solving and ensuring the smooth execution of client work while simultaneously strategizing for future success.
A Day In The Life Of A Director Of Operations At Linqia
A Director of Operations' day is "very meeting heavy," focusing on "advisement, feedback, support, and mentorship" rather than individual tasks. Melanie's role involves collaboration with other leaders, resolving escalated issues such as client dissatisfaction, and maintaining flexibility to handle unpredictable situations.
Most Important Skills for a Director of Operations at Linqia
Melanie, a Director of Operations, emphasizes that "curiosity" is key to success, allowing one to approach challenges with a "fair and thoughtful" approach by recognizing underlying patterns. This open-mindedness, combined with a willingness to learn from others and "dig to the deepest level" to understand problems, ultimately provides a framework for effective problem-solving, drawing on past experience.
Favorite Parts of Being a Director of Operations at Linqia
Melanie, Director of Operations at Linqia, most enjoys the daily variety and direct interaction with colleagues in her current role, finding it "a lot more fun to have personal connections with people". This contrasts with previous client-side roles, as Melanie values mentoring and helping team members navigate challenges, sharing learned experiences to ease their career journeys.
Biggest Challenges Faced by a Director of Operations at Linqia
Melanie's biggest challenge as Director of Operations at Linqia stems from the deeply human aspect of a people-centric role; supporting team members through "very serious...health issues" and emotional journeys requires significant emotional labor and necessitates strong self-care and reliance on senior leadership for support. This highlights the toll that empathetic leadership can take, even in a career where operational expertise is paramount.
Favorite Parts of Working in the Creator Economy Industry as a Director of Operations
Melanie, a Director of Operations at Linqia, finds the creator space "very fun" because it offers a more authentic approach to advertising, aiming to connect with consumers genuinely. The industry's evolution, allowing creators to "relate to their consumer in a way that can feel authentic and genuine," is a key aspect Melanie enjoys, viewing it as a powerful way to reach marketing goals while empowering consumers.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Marketing And Advertising Industry, According To A Director Of Operations At Linqia
Melanie, a Director of Operations, highlights the importance of creativity and collaboration in thriving within the marketing and advertising industry, stating that "creativity is at the core". While not considering herself inherently creative, the ability to provide feedback and structure early-stage projects, coupled with a willingness to see ideas evolve, is key to success in such a role.
What A Director Of Operations At Linqia Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Digital Marketing Industry
Melanie, a Director of Operations, wishes someone had explained the "micro ecosystem" of company culture, revealing it's less "clock in, clock out" and more a community where deep personal connections impact objectivity. Exposure to varied company cultures would have better prepared Melanie for navigating this social dynamic and its impact on work.
Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Directors Of Operations
For undergraduate students seeking entry-level roles in marketing and advertising, Melanie, a Director of Operations at Linqia, suggests client-facing positions like "customer success manager" or "account manager" as ideal starting points, emphasizing that "nothing is below you" when it comes to client interaction. Alternatively, sales-focused roles such as "sales development representative" or "business development representative" can also provide a valuable pathway, ultimately highlighting the importance of client interaction to build strong communication and problem-solving skills.
Significant Career Lesson From a Director of Operations at Linqia
Melanie, a Director of Operations, discovered that "there are only a specific number of challenges in this world, and they can all be solved in relatively the same way," emphasizing the importance of objectivity. By taking a step back to understand the core issue, such as "misaligned expectations," and focusing on problem-solving rather than emotional reactions, Melanie has successfully navigated career challenges.
College Experiences That Helped A Director Of Operations At Linqia Succeed
Melanie, a Director of Operations, prioritized using college to "enrich [her] mind and stretch [her] brain," focusing on developing crucial soft skills like navigating diverse team dynamics and building professional relationships—seeing professors as "a proxy for senior leadership." This approach, rather than solely concentrating on technical skills, allowed for a smoother transition into the workforce where "open creativity and critical thinking" proved more valuable than specific job training.
How Identity Influenced A Director Of Operations' Career At Linqia
Melanie, a Director of Operations, notes the challenges of navigating a career as a first-generation college student, stating that "doing anything for the first time...can be scary and...overwhelming," but emphasizes learning through observation and diverse experiences. The absence of familial career models led Melanie to actively seek learning opportunities, such as working in a cafe, gaining valuable skills like customer service that "is incredibly valuable" and are still used today, proving that career success can stem from varied pathways.
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