From the Columns to Career: Mizzou Alumni and Soon-to-be Alumni in the Professional World

Written by Keelyn Cranley

Photo by Noah on Adobe Stock

The transition from student life to adulthood can be daunting, especially in industries where job stability post-graduation is not always guaranteed. Navigating senior year becomes even more challenging when faced with a plethora of marketing, advertising, and PR job opportunities. Luckily, here at the University of Missouri, we are fortunate to have recent graduates and current seniors who are participating in similar processes and eager to share their wisdom.

Among our many graduates are Lilly Hartsig and Hannah Schuler, both proud alumni of the J-school-- class of 2023. With their firsthand experiences navigating the job markets fresh on their minds, they offer invaluable insights and advice. Despite the trials of the application process, both have successfully found their footing in the professional world. While Lilly is now in a two-year rotational program at Dyson in Chicago, IL, she stresses the importance of self-awareness while job hunting. She suggests that “before applying for roles, whether it be a role in advertising, marketing, a rotation program, etc., think about your unique skills, personality characteristics, and interests that make you stand out and base your ideal role on those. It is easy to go on LinkedIn and apply for any and all roles that are available, but you’ll have better interviews when you’re applying for a role that you know would be a good fit for you and are excited about.” She further emphasized the importance of confidence when it comes to interviewing, reminding applicants to keep in mind they are coming from the best journalism school. "Be yourself," she urges, "as employers value authenticity and want to know YOU." 

Hannah Schuler, a Social Manager at Edelman, also emphasized maintaining authenticity but in a different way. Her advice to upcoming graduates centers around the power of building and nurturing meaningful connections. "As you work, you need to try and build genuine connections based on common interests," she emphasized. "Because those will come back to you and will be mutually beneficial when you're trying to find a job and then enter the workforce." Hannah’s insight served as an important reminder of the significance of genuine connections in navigating the ever-changing professional world.

While those who have graduated and since gotten a job offer invaluable advice, it can be helpful to receive advice from undergraduate peers who are currently going through a similar process. Maddie Meyers, a senior Strategic Communications and Spanish major at Mizzou acknowledges that “the job search process can be very overwhelming.” To stay motivated she recommends “talking to friends or people in your life who went through this process a few years earlier and get advice and connections for how you can reach your post-grad goals.” Therefore, having a Hannah or Lilly in your life is a great way to understand what you want after graduating. Lean on your older, wiser friends and acquaintances for guidance because they were once in the same position, jumping into the unknown.  

Mirela Turnell, a Matchbook alum and 2024 graduate with a degree in Strategic Communications speaks on utilizing Matchbook and other college involvement to help undergraduates in the job search process. Mirela suggests being “honest about your goals and how you think Matchbook can help you get there.” She says, “I want to do something in the creative direction so being in Matchbook has not only taught me about the structure of an agency but has also taught me what it’s like to be a creative lead. I have learned a lot about leadership and driving a creative campaign in an effective way which has been really helpful!”

The insight from recent graduates as well as soon-to-be graduates offers significant assistance in how to move forward in the job process. Both the experiences of Lilly Hartsig and Hannah Schuler, navigating the job markets and finding success, offer valuable lessons in self-awareness, authenticity, and the power of genuine connections. Likewise, the perspectives of undergraduates like Maddie Meyers and Mirela Turnell reveal the importance of seeking guidance and using the plethora of resources Mizzou has to offer. As seniors transition into post-grad life, it’s most important to remember all of the people in a similar situation and think of all the graduates who have done it before and thrived!