CMU Davis School of business students sat down with Grand Junction marketing professionals to gain valuable insights into relevant degree applications
Marketing in the Grand Valley is evolving rapidly. With the rise of AI, the explosion of digital platforms and shifting consumer behaviors, marketers must adapt and innovate to stay relevant, but above all else, panel members of the Marketing Meet-ING encourage humanity and value creation above all else.
Emphasizing the need for relevant conversation around the scope of marketing, the CMU Marketing Program hosted a panel discussion between Marketing Advisory Board Members and CMU marketing and business alumni to relay expectations and inspirations to current Davis School of Business marketing students.
One key topic of discussion delved into how to stay relevant in an ever-changing landscape. One question posed from the audience is 'How can CMU students stand out above the noise?' Over-saturation in digital and social communication channels can make it difficult for students to make sense of what is truly relevant to customers and as consumers. To combat the high level of competition in the field, the panel encouraged students to stay creative, think outside the box and do something engaging rather than creating graphics or flat imagery.
Another topic students sought advice on was how to secure relevant job experience beyond their time in the classroom. Panel member Elena Rodriguez, marketing manager at Big-O Tires, encouraged students to pick up the phone, schedule a meeting and sit down with business professionals that students aspire to gain experience from.
Hunter McKie, Davis School of Business alumnus and digital marketing specialist at Family Health West, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing local business leaders’ willingness to work in conjunction with students to find jobs or internships.
“I hope students walk away with the idea that people are not unapproachable and when you want to get a job, you want to work in marketing, you need to go out there and do it and speak to these people and network and show that you want to be there,” he said.
Students gained valuable advice from marketing professionals representing a range of sectors. Marketing leaders from Family Health West, Big-O Tires, Enstrom’s Candies and Ryan/Sawyer Marketing emphasized to students that marketing is broad in its applications, but it is important to identify your niche, identify your audiences’ niche and create value to customers through the vast communications channels available to marketing students today.
CMU business marketing student Leonela Castellon found the panel discussion to be a valuable example of how to apply her degree following graduation.
“Marketing is going to look different for every single company. It’s not a cookie-cutter strategy. Not one size fits all and like they were saying from Family Health West, it's more of a recipe for each dish,” Castellon said. “That sort of analogy is really going to stick with me.”
The Davis School of Business and the Marketing Program want students to walk away from their time at CMU with relevant applications to their in-class experience. Panel discussions like the Marketing Meet-ING are just one of the many ways students can shake hands and introduce themselves to community connections.