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Tito, Professor at University of San Diego: Advize Career Interview
A career journey from sales at AT&T to a marketing professorship at the University of San Diego, this individual's path is inspiring.
Experience at McDonald's and PepsiCo, video game companies, and HP, coupled with consulting work, built a strong foundation for a fulfilling career in academia.
The individual's role involves teaching marketing at all levels, bridging theory and practice, while also working as a fractional CMO consultant.
Success in this field, the individual emphasizes, requires a passion for education and the ability to connect with diverse learning styles.
Building a well-rounded marketing portfolio, actively networking, and mastering presentation skills are key.
A unique perspective as a minority immigrant adds another layer to this compelling narrative of career achievement, showing how challenges can be transformed into strengths.
The constant evolution of marketing and the opportunity to teach students to "market themselves" are highlighted as particularly rewarding aspects.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Tito Zamalloa
Professor
University of San Diego
Cal Poly Pomona
UCLA MBA
Marketing
Education
Education
HSI Grad, Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Immigrant, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Transfer Student
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Career Path of a Professor at University of San Diego
Initially aiming for a marketing career, Tito's journey began with sales at AT&T, transitioning into marketing there before gaining "strides" in marketing at McDonald's and PepsiCo, managing multi-tiered approaches for ubiquitous products. Subsequent roles in video game companies, consulting, and HP preceded a recent pivot to a fulfilling career as a full-time marketing professor at the University of San Diego, showcasing a diverse path reflecting "a good, new path of life."
Main Responsibilities Of A Professor At University Of San Diego
Professor Tito's main responsibilities at the University of San Diego involve teaching marketing, from "basic fundamentals all the way to upper graduate levels," ensuring students gain "UpToDate skills" for marketing or business careers. Their extensive experience in the field allows them to bridge the gap between academic theory and practical application, driven by a passion for demonstrating marketing's "significant impact" across various professions.
A Day In The Life Of A Professor At University Of San Diego
A day for Tito, a clinical professor of marketing, involves "lesson planning" to bridge "book knowledge" with current events, followed by teaching and mentoring students. This blends with their work as a fractional CMO consultant and coach, reflecting a career that combines academia with real-world application and a passion for "education and the field."
Most Important Skills for a Professor at University of San Diego
Two distinct paths lead to a professorship: a traditional route emphasizing research and PhDs, requiring "publication of articles relevant to your practice," or a "professor of practice" route leveraging real-world experience to bring "hands-on training" into the classroom. The latter approach, Tito's chosen path, highlights the value of professional experience and its contribution to teaching and communication skills.
Favorite Parts of Being a Professor at University of San Diego
Professor Tito finds teaching engaging, employing humor and real-world relevance to captivate students; the core of Tito's approach is teaching students to "market the number one brand...the brand of you," applying marketing principles to personal branding alongside established brands like Apple and Starbucks.
Biggest Challenges Faced by a Professor at University of San Diego
Professor Tito's biggest challenge at the University of San Diego is catering to diverse learning styles—"some are more visual, some are more practice driven"—requiring a dynamic teaching approach that balances passionate delivery with focused learning. This involves incorporating varied methods, from videos to storytelling, to foster engagement and ultimately achieve high student evaluations.
Favorite Parts of Working in Higher Education as a Professor
Professor Tito, a marketing professor at the University of San Diego, finds the "never-ending developments" in marketing and education most rewarding. The constantly evolving media landscape—from "Disney+ to TikTok"—presents a perpetual challenge to connect with consumers, requiring a constant pursuit of "the best possible marketing tactics" to cut through the noise and reach the customer.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Education Industry According To A Professor At University Of San Diego
Professor Tito highlights that success in academia hinges on a "passion or knack" for education, requiring the ability to convey information in an engaging and relevant manner; the ultimate goal is for students to retain "key gems or nuggets" applicable to their professional lives, even if it's just "one out of five words."
What A Professor At University Of San Diego Wishes They Had Known Before Entering Education
Professor Tito wished they had understood the importance of "modality astute" teaching earlier in their career, recognizing that different learning styles require varied teaching tactics. This realization, gained through experience teaching diverse groups—from short corporate workshops to longer academic courses—allowed for more precise delivery and better achievement of learning objectives.
Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Professors At University Of San Diego
Professor Tito highlighted that most entry-level marketing roles necessitate at least a master's degree, advising students to "accumulate credentials, degrees, or more skills and experience." The professor emphasized developing strong presentation skills—a highly sought-after yet often-feared skill—as a crucial first step, allowing individuals to gain practical experience through teaching or other roles before pursuing advanced degrees.
Significant Career Lesson From a Professor at University of San Diego
Professor Tito's significant career lesson centers on the importance of achieving a "well-rounded marketing portfolio," advocating for diverse experiences across companies, brands, and roles to become a sought-after expert. This approach, aimed at eventually becoming a chief marketing officer, involved exploring various marketing areas and understanding the broader industry context, rather than focusing solely on a single specialization.
College Experiences That Helped a University of San Diego Professor Succeed
Professor Tito, a marketing professor, emphasizes the critical role of networking in career success, advising students to "build that network early on" and noting that "your network is your net worth." This is because the people one surrounds themselves with directly influence their trajectory, highlighting the importance of cultivating strong connections across various groups and actively managing their personal brand.
How Identity Has Influenced a Professor's Career at University of San Diego
Professor Tito's minority immigrant identity presented both challenges and advantages in navigating a career in the United States; initial language barriers and "levels of doubt and self-questioning," including imposter syndrome, eventually gave way to leveraging a unique cultural perspective and diverse skillset as assets, echoing Michelle Obama's message to "be first a person who delivers" while utilizing one's background as a strength.
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