Transfer Evaluation Coordinator (Student Affairs Professional)

Kayla W. "As a student affairs professional, I help students be successful and to ultimately obtain a degree. My goal is to help students at my university to have a well-rounded college experience and to leave the university with a degree and the knowledge and experiences they need to be successful human beings. More specifically, as a Transfer Evaluation Coordinator, I work with students who have earned college coursework and credit to determine which course credit equivalents that they will receive credit for at my specific university."

Education

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Required License(s) None

Required Degree(s) Bachelor's degree (in any field) is required for my specific position, but other positions in Student Affairs may only require a high school diploma.

Importance of GPA somewhat important

Kayla's Highest Degree: Bachelor's degree (Bachelor of Science)
Kayla's College Major: Mass Communications with a focus on Public Relations, and a minor in Marketing.
Kayla's College GPA Range: 3.1-3.5

Salary

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$30,000-$50,000
can vary depending on location or institution

Getting the Job

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How did you get your job?

As a student, I worked as an orientation leader (orienting incoming freshman to campus and the world of college, etc.), as well as an ambassador for the Admissions department. I gained experience by volunteering as an undergraduate.

How important was networking to landing your position?

Networking is huge in the world of higher education. I didn't specifically know anyone in the department I now work in, but I went to the institution as an undergraduate student and I think that helped.

Life on the Job

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What is a typical day (or week) for you like?

Typically, I work Monday through Friday 8-5, but have to work about 3 Saturdays and 3 Sundays each year for special events (e.g., graduations, preview days, orientations). In my specific position, I sit at a desk most of the day doing evaluation of transcripts/data entry, answering emails. I see students from time-to-time. Working in this position is very behind the scenes in the world of higher ed.

How closely does your typical day (or week) match up to the general "job description" for your position?

I would say that my position matches up about 99% with the job description that was posted when I was hired.

Does being a woman affect any aspect of your career?

Honestly, there are more women in the field of Student Affairs than there are men. If anything, I believe it may help to be a woman in Student Affairs. However, diversity is a huge part of the higher education world and people of all ethnicities, races, genders, etc. are accepted!

What is the best thing about your job?

I get to help students to find, understand, and develop their dreams. Working in higher education is rewarding and something I am incredibly passionate about.

What is the worst thing about your job?

There are a ton of policies that sometimes upset the student and their families. These policies are not meant to hinder, but it sometimes feels like they do.

How demanding is your job?

The institution that I work at is growing very rapidly, which means that more and more students are attending, but we still have the same amount of people in our office. It can be a large workload that seems to never end, and it can also be very tedious work. However, thinking about how much it helps the student to become who they want and need to be makes it all worth it.

Do you have any advancement opportunities?

YES! I work in the Registrar's Office, but this position can be housed in Admissions at other institutions. I could move up from my position to my supervisor's position, which is the head of the Transfer area. Above the Transfer area manager is the Registrar. Also, working in Student Affairs, it is often that people may move from area to area on a campus, this includes stepping up into higher roles, such as Area Directors or VP or AVPs of divisions. I plan on staying in the field of Student Affairs for the rest of my life, and would love to become an Area Director at some point.

Advice for You

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What are the skills, characteristics, or talents that are most important to be effective in your position?

It is very important to have a passion for the student. Fun, bubbly personalities and being a people person is important. Anyone looking to work in higher education should be able to follow policies and procedures, be a hard-worker, optimistic, and have a great eye for detail and accuracy.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about pursuing a career like yours?

BE YOURSELF! As mentioned before, diversity is something that every institution is looking for. Don't try to fit into some kind of peg.

If you could do it over again, would you still pursue the same career?

ABSOLUTELY! I'm actually going back to school to earn my Master's in the field.

Follow Up

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Want to learn more? Check out Kayla's sites here. Want to read later? Pin me -->

Content Marketing Manager

Rachel M. "A Content Marketing Manager is responsible for a company or product's content, from start to finish. This includes creating a content strategy, producing the content, marketing the content, and measuring the results."

Education

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Required License(s) None

Required Degree(s) Typically a Bachelor's degree in a similar field is required

Importance of GPA not very important

Rachel's Highest Degree: Bachelor's degree (Bachelor of Arts)
Rachel's College Major: Communications, with a concentration in Public Relations

Salary

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It varies greatly on the location of the company, as well as the numbers of years of experience the employee has. But for a ballpark, I'd say between $60,000 and $100,000.

Getting the Job

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How did you get your job?

I found out about this job from a recruiter at the company. My now boss found me on LinkedIn, liked my credentials and writing, and the rest is history! I would say that it was likely my experience in SEO (search engine optimization), as well as my freelance writing projects and personal lifestyle blog, that really helped me get this specific position.

How important was networking to landing your position?

For this specific position, none. Which I'm proud of! It's great that people can network their way into jobs, but not everyone is lucky enough to have that opportunity. They say marketing is all about who you know (which is mostly true), but for me it's been more about working hard.

Life on the Job

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What is a typical day (or week) for you like?

I start my week off on Monday with lots of meetings with my team members and coworkers. Throughout the week, I'll be writing content, promoting it, and tracking its results. There really is no typical week, but my mind is always revolving around content. "Oh, that would be a good blog post idea" is said aloud least twice a day.

How closely does your typical day (or week) match up to the general "job description" for your position?

A lot, for the most part. I rarely say "no" to opportunities though, so when someone asks for extra help on something that's NOT in my job description, I tend to help out. That keeps things interesting and exciting, though!

Does being a woman affect any aspect of your career?

Sometimes, yes. Since I work in the technology industry as a non-technical employee, sometimes people think I'm "just a dumb marketing chick." I also look pretty young, so I get a lot of people who treat me like I'm fresh out of college and don't take me seriously in my role.

What is the best thing about your job?

I love the creativity to it. I'm passionate about writing, content, and marketing in general (which is why I am a freelance writer and blogger in my spare time), so the fact that I get paid for doing it is so awesome. I love being able to use my brain to come up with creative ways to present my thoughts and ideas, and ultimately help my company succeed.

What is the worst thing about your job?

Content is everywhere. Every business needs content to survive. So it can be tough to really do something "groundbreaking" that will "stand out from the crowd." Sometimes it can feel like everything has already been said or done.

How demanding is your job?

I'm very lucky that my company values work-life balance (specifically my manager and teammates). Yes, some days I'll stay a little late or answer emails on the weekend, but that's MY choice. I also have a fairly long commute, so I can't just leave the office and be home 10 minutes later. This helps motivate me to leave on time and get home early enough to make dinner and relax with my fiancé and cats.

Do you have any advancement opportunities?

Definitely. I was originally hired as a Content Marketing Writer and was then promoted to Content Marketing Manager after a year. So I think I just went through that advancement, actually.

Advice for You

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What are the skills, characteristics, or talents that are most important to be effective in your position?

Creativity. Excellent organization skills. Passion. Being a good writer (obviously)!

What advice would you give to someone thinking about pursuing a career like yours?

I originally wanted to be a journalist, but was constantly told it wasn't a good idea since it was too cutthroat and that the industry was dying. So I switched to Public Relations, thinking I could use my writing skills there. Ultimately, I ended up in digital/online marketing, using a mixture of those skills from my college years to pave my own way into a "content marketing" career. My advice would be to trust your gut—don't switch your major because someone tells you to. Complete a few internships—they'll help you decide what you do and don't like. Lastly, don't be afraid to work for free! You are not entitled to a job at any time in your life. I started a blog in my spare time to improve my writing skills. I wrote for websites for free to build up my portfolio. Those free gigs have helped me get where I am today (and now I rarely need to do work for free)!

If you could do it over again, would you still pursue the same career?

Definitely. I wish colleges would revamp their communications programs to include newer areas like online marketing or content marketing. Those are the jobs that journalism/PR graduates are getting these days.

Follow Up

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Want to learn more? Check out Rachel's site here and her portfolio here. Want to read later? Pin me -->

Marketing and Advertising Coordinator

Sarah W. "I am a Marketing and Advertising Coordinator for an Outboard Motor Company. I always prefer to be a smaller company's one stop shop for anything marketing, rather than a person on a gigantic team in a large company. Every day is completely different for me. Somedays I'll be crunching numbers, some I'll be focusing on building social media, and some I'll be working on graphic design. If it relates to marketing, I've got to learn how to do it for my company."

Education

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Required License(s) none

Required Degree(s) I don't think I would have gotten an interview if I didn't have a 4 year degree.

Importance of GPA somewhat important

Sarah's Highest Degree: bachelor's degree (Bachelor of Science)
Sarah's College Major: Public Relations with a minor in Business
Sarahs College GPA Range: 3.6-3.9

Salary

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$75,000+
Sky is the limit, I suppose!

Getting the Job

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How did you get your job?

I was the Marketing Director for a chain of salons located across three states. Although that was quite different than marketing for outboard motors, I think I impressed them in my interview when I was able to tell them how similar the two positions ACTUALLY were.

How important was networking to landing your position?

TO ME, it is not important, but I'm not proud of that statement. I'd like to be more active in networking. It would take me places I can't go now.

Life on the Job

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What is a typical day (or week) for you like?

As many pros as there are to working for a small company, there are some drawbacks as well. Cubicle life is my Monday-Friday 8am-5pm life generally. The best weeks are ones when I get to travel to a boat show or photo shoot, which happens every few months. I often go into work not sure what will be thrown my way, which I honestly really like. It keeps me from getting bored!

How closely does your typical day (or week) match up to the general "job description" for your position?

I think it is very close for someone who is the entire marketing position for a small company. I'm sure someone in a larger company would have a much more specific role from day-to-day. I'm thankful for the way my day/week is laid out.

Does being a woman affect any aspect of your career?

YES. I hate to say it but it does. I work for a Japanese company and things are a bit different over there, and I'm sometimes left out of discussions that I should be part of. The good news is that no one in the office from America treats me any differently, which is great.

What is the best thing about your job?

The travel!

What is the worst thing about your job?

Feeling like I'm chained to a cubicle from Monday-Friday 8am-5pm. I'd love a bit more freedom.

How demanding is your job?

Not terribly. It is mostly creative, which I love, so it really doesn't wear me down.

Do you have any advancement opportunities?

In my current position with this company, THERE IS NOT, which sucks. I am honestly content right now. I enjoy that I can leave work at work during the nights and weekends, the pay is good, and I am happy with where I am in my career, at my current age. I imagine I will be looking for an advancement in the next 5 years or so. My dream job would be something more related to the sports world, and breaking into that world might involve working my way up from the bottom. I'm not sure I'm ready for that.

Advice for You

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What are the skills, characteristics, or talents that are most important to be effective in your position?

You have to be unique. Like any creative position, being a follower just won't cut it. You have to have a wild imagination and be able to come up with ideas/designs that the world has never seen before. You can't look anything like your competition.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about pursuing a career like yours?

If I could do one thing over again, I would have taken so many more Adobe CS classes in college. I never took any and I so regret it. I had to teach everything to myself.

If you could do it over again, would you still pursue the same career?

I'd probably pursue a career in sports journalism... if I had it to do all over again.

Follow Up

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Want to learn more? Check out Sarah's site here. Want to read later? Pin me -->