The handsome boy in the picture is Frank Guardi, a former student of my digital marketing class, who joined IBM as a social media specialist after graduation. Below is an interview of Frank I wrote for our marketing department’s fall 2014 newsletter.
Frank Guardi: 14’ Graduate Taking Digital Marketing Job
Frank Guardi is a 14’ graduate with a communication major and a business fundamental minor. Right before his graduation, Frank accepted a position in IBM’s Marketing and Communication Department as a social business and social media specialist. His job responsibilities will include monitoring social conversations, managing user communities and social media platforms (e.g., corporate blog, Facebook, and Twitter), and designing as well as implementing social media campaigns.
Frank said he had always wanted to work in the area of digital marketing and social media. In spring 2014, he took the Digital Marketing class taught by Professor Jane Gu and found the class very helpful in preparing for his planned career. Frank said that he has learned many useful analytical tools from the class, including social monitoring, search engine optimization (SEO), and engagement pyramid. The class also brings him up to date with digital marketing activities of major companies, such as Google and Amazon. Lastly, he found the group project very helpful, for which he worked with five other students to develop an integrated digital marketing plan to market Cape Cop chips to the west coast. Beyond the Digital Marketing class, Frank also took the Marketing Management class.
Outside the classroom, Frank had interned with an MLE baseball team to manage its social media campaigns and also with IBM’s external relations department. Frank suggested that students start internship early in their junior year or before entering the senior year in the area or the company they are interested in, and start planning job hunting once going into the senior year. “The market is becoming more and more competitive,” Frank said, “you have to get ready early.” He sent out his first job application in November 2013.
Frank is a student athlete. He played baseball in high school and has been with UConn’s football team during his college years. Spending forty hours in training and maintaining a good GPA at the same time is not easy, Frank admitted. Nonetheless, this experience has sharpened his capabilities in time management, teamwork, social skills, and commitment, which qualities employers highly desire. If you are not playing any sports, Frank suggested, getting involved in clubs or even fraternity could be very helpful in developing these qualities.
Frank is relocating to Austin for his new job in late May. “It is a fun city with a lot going on,” Frank smiled, “I expect to stay active.”