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Zoe, Media Assistant at Walton Isaacson: Advize Career Interview

Dive into the dynamic world of media with insights from a Media Assistant at Walton Isaacson!

The career path started with a shift from healthcare to business and marketing, fueled by experiences in campus organizations, student publications, and a marketing assistant role.

A typical day involves research, data analysis, and campaign verification, demanding skills in data analysis, communication, and patience. What makes it exciting?

Working with diverse clients, observing DEI initiatives, and constant learning from experienced colleagues. Challenges like imposter syndrome are overcome by self-belief and a supportive team.

The media industry offers a thrilling intersection of entertainment and pop culture, especially when aligning marketing with cultural moments. Success requires drive, networking, and self-reflection. A key lesson? Own your space.

The path to a media career can be prepared for by maximizing campus opportunities, connecting with professors, and choosing courses aligned with genuine interests, and building a peer support system.

This Media Assistant emphasizes that entry-level isn't entry-level anymore, so it is important to get involved while in school.

The rewarding nature of the work, coupled with opportunities for growth and impact, should ignite a spark in anyone eager to explore the media landscape!

Advizer Information

Name

Job Title

Company

Undergrad

Grad Programs

Majors

Industries

Job Functions

Traits

Zoe Marie Zapanta

Media Assistant

Walton Isaacson

University of San Diego

​

Marketing

Advertising, Communications & Marketing

Communication and Marketing

​

Watch all of this Advizer's videos below

Career Path of a Media Assistant at Walton Isaacson

Zoe started college in 2020 initially planning to pursue healthcare, but then "chose to do like business" for stability and marketing for creative opportunities. Prior to the current role, experiences included being a marketing assistant in the multicultural office and business school at the college, writing for the school newspaper and an entertainment magazine, and serving as the public relations chair for the women in business club.

Career Path of a Media Assistant at Walton Isaacson

Main Responsibilities Of A Media Assistant At Walton Isaacson

As a Media Assistant at an advertising agency, Zoe's main responsibilities revolve around research and analysis, touching on many different things as their agency specializes in several areas. Specifically, this involves conducting "research on the...companies that we're working with" and "data research and...analyzation" with an emphasis on "brand safety and...relevancy" for their clients' work.

Main Responsibilities Of A Media Assistant At Walton Isaacson

A Day In The Life Of A Media Assistant At Walton Isaacson

As a Media Assistant at Walton Isaacson, Zoe's days are varied, with 90% spent working remotely. A typical day involves verifying ad campaign delivery to "press like, okay to pay," followed by heavier tasks such as deck creation and team meetings to determine "what next steps are."

A Day In The Life Of A Media Assistant At Walton Isaacson

Most Important Skills for a Media Assistant at Walton Isaacson

For a Media Assistant role at Walton Isaacson, Zoe emphasizes the importance of data analysis, a skill gained and appreciated over time, noting that "everything has data these days," while also highlighting patience and strong communication skills, especially as the youngest person in the company striving to be taken seriously. The career professional strives to "communicate like in a professional way," which is important when trying to prove themselves to their older colleagues.

Most Important Skills for a Media Assistant at Walton Isaacson

Favorite Parts of Being a Media Assistant at Walton Isaacson

Zoe enjoys the fast-paced nature of the media industry and the opportunity to work with diverse clients like Lexus multicultural, finding it exciting to see how brands promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. Walton Isaacson's Media Assistant also appreciates the opportunity to learn from experienced colleagues who are invested in helping them grow in their career.

Favorite Parts of Being a Media Assistant at Walton Isaacson

Biggest Challenges Faced by a Media Assistant at Walton Isaacson

Zoe's biggest challenge as a Media Assistant at Walton Isaacson stems from a feeling of imposter syndrome, where despite working hard, "it still just feels like, oh, like I don't know what I'm doing;" to combat this, Zoe has to remind themself that "I am meant to be here" while leaning on a supportive team that understands mistakes happen.

Biggest Challenges Faced by a Media Assistant at Walton Isaacson

Favorite Parts of Working in the Advertising Industry as a Media Assistant

Zoe enjoys the media industry due to its intersection with entertainment and pop culture, finding it exciting to observe influencer collaborations and the relevance of trends to current projects; for example, Zoe finds it "cool to like see all the effort that they're putting in to like make sure that what we're doing for it is aligned, like with the theme" as their company sponsors a MET Gala after-party. This highlights Zoe's passion for aligning marketing efforts with cultural moments.

Favorite Parts of Working in the Advertising Industry as a Media Assistant

What Type Of Person Thrives In The Advertising Industry According To A Media Assistant At Walton Isaacson

Zoe believes thriving in the media industry requires knowing what one wants and emphasizes the importance of "connections and drive," noting that actively "put[ting] yourself out there" is essential for building a professional network. Ultimately, success comes down to self-reflection: "how bad do I want this? And like, how far am I gonna go to get it?"

What Type Of Person Thrives In The Advertising Industry According To A Media Assistant At Walton Isaacson

What A Media Assistant At Walton Isaacson Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Media Industry

Zoe wishes someone had warned about the demanding nature of the role, especially given it was newly created at Walton Isaacson, and how much work it would require, considering "it's like a transition that was not necessarily prepared for." However, Zoe also learned the importance of taking breaks and enjoying life, both professionally and personally, emphasizing to "take every day...day by day."

What A Media Assistant At Walton Isaacson Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Media Industry

Entry-level Positions For Aspiring Media Assistants At Walton Isaacson

Zoe finds it difficult to pinpoint specific entry-level positions, stating that "entry level isn't entry level anymore," and instead suggests undergraduates and graduates should focus on maximizing opportunities to get involved while in school; Zoe emphasizes looking around you, talking to professors, and getting involved on campus to learn new skills and network. In Zoe's experience, this approach was invaluable in preparing Zoe for a career as a Media Assistant at Walton Isaacson.

Entry-level Positions For Aspiring Media Assistants At Walton Isaacson

Significant Career Lesson From a Media Assistant at Walton Isaacson

Zoe, a Media Assistant at Walton Isaacson, shares that a significant lesson learned is that "nobody... has the right to tell you where you do or don't belong except for like yourself," emphasizing the importance of taking up space and making oneself known in the professional world. This lesson highlights the importance of self-belief and confidence in navigating a career, especially in a field like media.

Significant Career Lesson From a Media Assistant at Walton Isaacson

College Experiences That Helped a Media Assistant at Walton Isaacson Succeed

To prepare for a media career, Zoe actively engaged in campus clubs and intentionally selected courses aligned with genuine interests, such as a business school's social media marketing class; Zoe emphasizes that this class revealed the "layers that...go into it" beyond just posting. Furthermore, getting to know classmates and establishing a peer support system proved valuable for collaborative learning and navigating coursework.

College Experiences That Helped a Media Assistant at Walton Isaacson Succeed
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