The Graduate Awards

Marketing or sales? That is the question we discussed during a panel conversation with students from The Fox School of Business at Temple University last March. I had the chance to mingle with some of those students last week at the local Marketer of the Year Awards. In talking with them I realized once again how passionate I am about mentoring young professionals, especially those who wish to pursue a career in marketing.

It can be pretty daunting to find a job after school. Much of what I learned over time, I learned by doing and through the wise counsel of mentors. I will never overstate the importance of seeking out and honoring such relationships. I’ve been very lucky, yet I believe that we make our luck as well. Seeking mentors is only the beginning.

What advice would you give recent graduates? That was the question Drew McLellan asked of us a few weeks ago. The responses are compiled in a free eBook you can download at his blog. My advice? It’s included in the price, along with the wise words of many other professionals I admire and respect.

Aaron Potts
Andy Brudtkuhl
Andy Wibbels
Ann Handley
Ann Michael
Anne Simons
Becky Carroll
Bob Glaza
C.B. Whittemore
Carolyn Manning
Chris Cree
Christine Brown
CK
Darren Barefoot
David Reich
Delaney Kirk
Derek Tutschulte
Designer Mike
Doug Karr
Doug Mitchell
Drew McLellan
Joan Schramm
Kevin Hillstrom
Lewis Green
Liz Strauss
Mario Sundar
Mark Goren
Mark True
Mary Schmidt
Nick Rice
Patrick Schaber
Paul McEnany
Phil Gerbyshak
Roberta Rosenberg
Roger von Oech
Rosa Say
Seth Godin
Sharon Sarmiento
Stephanie Weaver
Steve Miller
Steve Sisler
Terry Starbucker
Toby Bloomberg
Tony D. Clark
Valeria Maltoni

Advice is only good as its execution. To make things interesting, I would like to invite those students who receive counsel from me and other marketing professionals over time to submit links to the results of their implementations and connections. This post inaugurates a proposed yearly initiative to pick the best of the best.

I’d like to ask the contributors to Drew’s eBook to indicate if they would be willing to act as judges and to shape these awards with me. Wouldn’t this be a great way to help discover new stars?

And to recent graduates I ask: what do you think? Would you be interested in getting in front of some pretty amazing professionals from the most disparate industries and countries?

Comments

[Lewis Green]

Valeria,

Count me in. I have been honored to judge marketing and advertising work of both professional and college submissions. I love doing it, and hope that by doing so I can add something to someone's career. The judging of great work teaches me much in return.

[Mark Goren]

Count me in, Valeria.

This contest is a great initiative that allows me to act on one of the points that I made in the ebook: give time back to students as a reflection of the time I received from professionals when I was in school. I really appreciated it then and I'm sure many students will appreciate it now.

[C.B. Whittemore]

Valeria, yes, count me in, too! What a wonderful way to extend the process of learning both ways.

[Roger von Oech]

Do you think Silvio Berlusconi would make a good judge?

I always sort of liked the guy. Does he have an American equivalent?

[Valeria Maltoni]

Lewis -- thank you, I will. Students should be so lucky as to spend some time talking with you.

Mark -- the hardest part today is to admit one needs help. With the rising cost of an education, and piling requirements it is easy to think one should hit the ground running.

C.B. -- your experience will be very helpful. I'm almost tempted to ask you and the rest of this great group for mentoring myself.

Roger -- I've been reading your Q&A with DA and must say I am in awe of your career path and the work you continue doing. Your question reads a little loaded. Berlusconi? Do I know him?

[Terry Starbucker]

I'd be glad to help, Valeria. Great idea! All the best.

[Valeria Maltoni]

Thank you, Terry. I have reached out to the students and hope that someone will join u s online to represent the group.

[Becky Carroll]

Hi Valeria,

I would love to help give back in this way! Please let me know how I can assist you in making this happen.