COMS Career Symposium Winter 2021
The Cal Poly Communication Studies Club hosted their Annual Career Symposium this week. The Symposium every year provides an opportunity for students to learn more about ways that they can use their Communication Studies degree after graduation. This year it was a multi-day event to allow students to drop in and out as they had virtual classes. Although organized by the Cal Poly Communication Studies Club, this event is always open to all Cal Poly students. All majors were welcome to attend!
Day 1 of the event on Wednesday, January 27 from 10am-1pm PST (Zoom) featured various company representatives. The speakers included: Jessica Delaney with Stand 8, Madeline Sheets with Mindbody, and Jenna Childers with Jackson Family Wines.
Jessica Delaney relayed that Stand 8 is a Technology Recruiting Corporate Training Company where they focus on people, process, and technology. Stand 8 currently offers recruiting internships and full-time grad positions. Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesssisco
Madeline Sheets discussed her position as the User Experience Designer for three scrum teams at Mindbody, focused primarily on designing solutions for their Enterprise clients. Sheets also supports other designers on two additional scrum teams. She partner’s closely with both their clients and engineers to build user-centered products. Sheets provided a few challenges and rewards related to the job: Challenges: (1) creativity on a deadline, (2) people management, (3) industry is always changing & Rewards: (1) many levels for career growth, (2) seeing your product come to life, (3) you can make a difference. The best way to get started in a future in UX Design is to get involved in Cal Poly AIGA, Cal Poly UX Club, UX Meetups. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheetsm
Jenna Childers is an expert in sales recruiting and sales education currently working at Jackson Family Wines. JFW continues to embed their core values of land stewardship, inspired winemaking and a respect for wine at the table into the company’s local and worldwide practices. Jackson Family Wines is currently hiring recent college grads! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenna-childers-9a498638
Day 2 of the event introduced Cal Poly alumni including: Courtney Burks, Emily Garcia, Karina Ocampo, Emily Manos, Matthew Mendoza, and Collin McGrew. These professionals from various Communication Studies-related backgrounds shared their experiences in their careers and offered valuable advice during the two-day event!
Courtney Burks is a Lecturer at San Jose State University for Public Speaking and Writing for Influence. She graduated from Cal Poly with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies in 2017. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtney-burks
Emily Garcia is the Student Engagement Coordinator for the Honors College at Oregon State University. She graduated from Cal Poly with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies in 2018. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-isabel-garcia-5b4544126
Karina Ocampo is a Business Development Representative at Salesforce in San Francisco. She graduated from Cal Poly with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, Minor in Entrepreneurship in 2018. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karina-ocampo21
Emily Manos is a Regional Account Manager, North American Channel & ROEM Sales at Western Digital. She graduated from Cal Poly with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, Minor in Spanish in 2018. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilymanos1
Matthew Mendoza is a Sales Development Representative with Squire and a Licensed Barber (Barber Doza). He graduated from Cal Poly with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies in 2014. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barberdoza
Collin McGrew is a Business Development Manager at Clarity Technology Partners. He graduated from Cal Poly with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, Minor in Integrated Marketing Communication in 2017. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/collin-mcgrew
This was not only a great opportunity for students to connect with professionals in their given career field, but a great opportunity for alumni, faculty, and professionals to network and discover new prospects.
The symposium offered insight on positions including in marketing, public relations, internal and external communications, user experience, business development, account management, and recruiting. Such careers include skills in written communication, coordination, social perceptiveness, spoken communication, active learning, organizational/small group communication, critical thinking, and fluency of ideas. The event specifically revolved around the skill of communication.
The general admission was free for this event, but attendees had the opportunity to donate to the COMS Club and receive a COMS Club Sticker for $2.00! If you still would like to order a sticker today, click this link.
This networking event aimed to connect the dots between the skills students are developing in school and their career.
Video Links for Day 1 Speakers
Video Links for Day 2 Speakers
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Alison Viggiano
Social Media Marketing Intern for Communication Department Alumni Relations
Questions or Comments: akviggia@calpoly.edu