Last semester, our Department of Marketing hosted a panel event, titled “Marketing Yourself: How to Stand Out in the Digital World,” in our De La Vega Innovation Lab.
Students heard from young alumni who shared their experiences of job searching and tips they have for current students, as well as industry experts sharing their stories and expertise.
Moderated by Jaclyn Crawford, director of digital marketing programs, and John Freeman, marketing instructor, students received practical tips and great advice from Madeleine Vinz, MSDM ’24, who serves as community engagement and marketing coordinator at Custom Aluminum Products; Darsha Patel, ’24, MSDM ’25, who works as a programmatic analyst, at Starcom; and Bella Alfaro, MBA ’25, who is a marketing coordinator for Solberg Manufacturing.
The panel helped students to better understand the skills needed in today’s job market, such as résumé-building, AI literacy or search tools, and people skills.
“The best thing a marketing Huskie can do to differentiate themselves is to become a storyteller,” Vinz said. “Just like our favorite brands, students need to be memorable and clear on what sets them apart and that starts with deeply understanding and being able to communicate who you are, how your experiences shaped you, and where you want to go.”
Vinz continued that Huskies can bring that story to life across every touchpoint along the way, whether it is through a tagline in a LinkedIn headline, a signature look on a résumé, or a specific story from one’s college experience during an interview question.
“Not only does this help humanize your job applications, but it also helps you identify which employers stand out to you,” Vinz said. “When you know your story that well, you’ll immediately recognize whether a company’s values and culture actually align with yours.”
After the formal panel discussion, students had time to speak with each of the panelists and other industry experts in a mini-mentorship roundtable session, including Sam Moore, ’17, MSDM ’20, from The Heico Companies; Carolyn Vandenbroek, ’17, MSDM ’21, from OSF Healthcare; Elizabeth Gavin, MSDM ’22, from Fabricators & Manufacturers Association; and Alicia Hawkins from AGCO Corporation.
MSDM student Arianna Fuchs served as the event’s moderator, and she also learned more about the current job market and how to better prepare for the application process as a marketing professional.
“Attending events like this allows students to hear real, first-hand accounts of what marketing jobs look like in 2026, and what to expect when it comes time for them to start applying,” she said.
MSDM student Connor Golden came away with a new appreciation of perseverance.
“My top takeaway was the importance of never giving up,” he said. “A common theme I noticed with the panelists was their drive. They were not passive or lazy in their approach to finding a job. Be it applying hundreds of times or making use of every connection, they never gave up. And it’s clearly been a fruitful mindset for them.”
Golden also commented on the importance of being able to network and meet professionals. “Being able to connect with others to get advice or to get your foot in the door for your next job — it is priceless!” he said.
“I think that one thing that makes the NIU marketing programs so unique is the community that we build together, either online or in-person,” said Jaclyn Crawford, director of digital marketing programs. “No one gets to the next step alone; there is always support from Huskies cheering you on and eager to see what success looks like for each student. It is a privilege and incredibly rewarding to be a part of someone’s career journey, and I think our Huskies understand that from the start.”
Because networking can be intimidating, Crawford believes these kinds of events allow students an opportunity to try small talk in a safe space.
“Our alumni remember what it is like to be sitting where current students are and can help coach them and make them comfortable in these scenarios, in addition to learning about the latest in digital marketing,” she said.
Learn more about our NIU MSDM degree program.
