How College Helped an Event Manager and Marketer at Google Succeed
Rachelle's pre-graduation work and volunteer experience proved invaluable, giving a "huge leg up" in a career where "experience is the name of the game." This diverse experience allowed Rachelle to understand various roles and anticipate team needs, making Rachelle a highly effective and proactive event manager.
Experience, Networking, Communication, Proactive Problem-Solving, Leadership
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Rachelle Platis
Event Manager & Marketer
George P Johnson, Applied Underwriters, Google Chrome Enterprise
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
N/A
Hospitality Administration
Hospitality, Restaurants & Events, Advertising, Communications & Marketing
Operations and Project Management
Honors Student, Took Out Loans, Transfer Student, Student Athlete
Video Highlights
1. Gain practical experience through work or volunteering before graduation to boost your resume and make you a competitive candidate.
2. Explore diverse roles and industries to discover your preferences and build valuable skills in working with various people.
3. Develop proactive problem-solving abilities by anticipating the needs of others, which is crucial for event management and leadership roles.
Transcript
What did you do in undergrad to set you up for success in your career?
I worked before I graduated and I volunteered, gaining a lot of experience before stepping into the workforce. I think that easily gave me opportunities once I graduated.
If I had waited, I wouldn't have been a good candidate because I simply didn't have the experience. Experience is the name of the game in this industry, and it doesn't really matter what area you go into.
I kind of did it all because I wanted to know what I liked and what I didn't like. I also wanted to be able to work well with all different types of people.
This way, when I'm the nucleus, the event manager, the one in charge, I know I can speak their language. I can say, "Okay, I know what this person needs." I can be proactive and cut out a lot of meetings and questions because I can anticipate what they're going to need or ask. Having that gave me a huge leg up.
So, if you can, even if you're volunteering, I think it's super helpful to work before you graduate.