7 answers
Elijah
Student
North Arlington, New Jersey
1
Question
Asked
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What as an entering freshman do you wish you knew or a mistake you could go back in time to correct & as a marketing major why is it important to share with me ? #spring25
Just a 1st generation college bound student looking for helpful hints
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7 answers
Liz Hartwell
Marketing & Sales
4
Answers
London, England, United Kingdom
Updated
Liz’s Answer
Similar to Dustin's response, it's never too early to start building up your network and experience. Join clubs, take on an internship, connect with professionals on LinkedIn and maintain those relationships.
I would also recommend staying in touch with the ongoing trends in marketing as it is always evolving. Take free upskill courses in things like AI literacy, data analytics, or project management. These skills are highly transferable and will set you up to be prepared for additional opportunities.
I would also recommend staying in touch with the ongoing trends in marketing as it is always evolving. Take free upskill courses in things like AI literacy, data analytics, or project management. These skills are highly transferable and will set you up to be prepared for additional opportunities.
Andres Galindez
system engineer
8
Answers
Cali, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Updated
Andres’s Answer
Hi Elias, that failure will almost certainly come, but analyze everything you can about campaigns and how they can be more persuasive, what group of people the product or service will reach. If you start analyzing everything, you'll be doing more than just marketing.
Sebastian Sprenger
Direct Store Lead
2
Answers
Hamburg, Germany
Updated
Sebastian’s Answer
Hi Elijah,
great questions. And I like a lot of the answers already given. My additional thoughts:
1. Slow and steady gets the job done. I learned relatively late, that not doing a lot during the year and only learning for exams let to a lot of anxiety and unrest and ultimately work and stress. At some point I switched to learning a little bit every day and finishing tasks early. My results improved, I had more free time and I became a more relaxed person in general.
2. Try to find job experience early through student jobs and projects. Even if its not related to your study field, it is appreciated later as a sign of motivation.
great questions. And I like a lot of the answers already given. My additional thoughts:
1. Slow and steady gets the job done. I learned relatively late, that not doing a lot during the year and only learning for exams let to a lot of anxiety and unrest and ultimately work and stress. At some point I switched to learning a little bit every day and finishing tasks early. My results improved, I had more free time and I became a more relaxed person in general.
2. Try to find job experience early through student jobs and projects. Even if its not related to your study field, it is appreciated later as a sign of motivation.
Mike Doria
Strategic Communications
9
Answers
Henderson, Nevada
Updated
Mike’s Answer
I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Communication. Why not a BA? A Bachelor of Science is awarded to someone who goes above and beyond in their course load. I designed my own senior project, did two internships (one in radio, one in tv) and I had 12 credits going into college from taking AP Spanish in high school. That said, I only had one major -- communication. I wish I had double majored for two reasons. One -- it doesn’t cost any extra money to get a double major in college. Yes, it’s a lot more work, but it’s a two for the price of one kind of thing. I also wish I had gotten my masters degree. Journalism didn’t pay enough money to allow that. However, I have two certificates now, in addition to my college degree and learning opportunities always arise. My advice: take on as much learning as possible. I hope this helps.
Emma Drewski
Sourcing
1
Answer
Denver, Colorado
Updated
Emma’s Answer
Hi Elijah!
Congratulations and way to reach out for advice.
I've reflected on this a few times while in college and now afterwards. Here are a few areas I would tell my younger self to dive more into.
1. Planning/discipline
How you plan your day matters from accounting for the time it takes you to get to class to how you study and do homework. Keeping a planner/calendar and updating it regularly really helped me stay on top of tasks and upcoming tests, etc. I find that physical writing helps me remember a bit better than digital, but I do use my phone from time to time to track tasks and dates. As simple as this sounds, it's incredibly important in your professional career.
2. Explore within your discipline (and even outside of it!)
I wish I had taken the time to explore more about Marketing in my introductory classes. If you hear about something that piques your interest, look into it! There are many aspects to Marketing that can lead to different career paths. In my last semester, I found that I really enjoyed a couple classes that I could've gotten a minor in if I had looked into them my freshman year. You may be required to take a business core before diving fully into marketing and it's okay if you find something you're more passionate about to study! This is your journey!
3. Invest in yourself!
You're already doing a lot towards this! I've done some digging into books and podcasts about business and self and I wish I had that information with me during college. In your career, you'll end up working with a lot of different people so understanding yourself can take you a long way. Perspective is key! Practice makes progress.
Best of luck in your endeavors!
Congratulations and way to reach out for advice.
I've reflected on this a few times while in college and now afterwards. Here are a few areas I would tell my younger self to dive more into.
1. Planning/discipline
How you plan your day matters from accounting for the time it takes you to get to class to how you study and do homework. Keeping a planner/calendar and updating it regularly really helped me stay on top of tasks and upcoming tests, etc. I find that physical writing helps me remember a bit better than digital, but I do use my phone from time to time to track tasks and dates. As simple as this sounds, it's incredibly important in your professional career.
2. Explore within your discipline (and even outside of it!)
I wish I had taken the time to explore more about Marketing in my introductory classes. If you hear about something that piques your interest, look into it! There are many aspects to Marketing that can lead to different career paths. In my last semester, I found that I really enjoyed a couple classes that I could've gotten a minor in if I had looked into them my freshman year. You may be required to take a business core before diving fully into marketing and it's okay if you find something you're more passionate about to study! This is your journey!
3. Invest in yourself!
You're already doing a lot towards this! I've done some digging into books and podcasts about business and self and I wish I had that information with me during college. In your career, you'll end up working with a lot of different people so understanding yourself can take you a long way. Perspective is key! Practice makes progress.
Best of luck in your endeavors!
Dustin Moser
Digital Marketing
1
Answer
Hiawatha, Iowa
Updated
Dustin’s Answer
If I could go back and give my freshman self one piece of advice, it would be this: don’t wait to start getting involved. I wish I had been more proactive about finding leadership or business-related opportunities from day one. There were so many resources and clubs around me — like Enactus, a business club at my school — that I didn’t take seriously until later. Once I finally joined, it opened up a ton of valuable experiences: real-world projects, networking with professionals, and even volunteer work that helped build both my resume and my confidence.
I’d also recommend checking out whether your college offers work-study programs that are tied to your major. That kind of hands-on experience can really set you apart when you're applying for internships or jobs down the line.
Focus on networking! Seriously. It might feel a little awkward at first, but there’s always something happening on campus where you can meet people — professors, alumni, guest speakers, or even upperclassmen. Some of the most unexpected conversations can lead to internships, mentorships, or even job offers later on.
So much of marketing is about relationships — whether you're building a brand, managing a team, or pitching a strategy. Learning how to connect, collaborate, and put yourself out there early on will give you a huge head start.
Good luck!
I’d also recommend checking out whether your college offers work-study programs that are tied to your major. That kind of hands-on experience can really set you apart when you're applying for internships or jobs down the line.
Focus on networking! Seriously. It might feel a little awkward at first, but there’s always something happening on campus where you can meet people — professors, alumni, guest speakers, or even upperclassmen. Some of the most unexpected conversations can lead to internships, mentorships, or even job offers later on.
So much of marketing is about relationships — whether you're building a brand, managing a team, or pitching a strategy. Learning how to connect, collaborate, and put yourself out there early on will give you a huge head start.
Good luck!
Doug Hughes
Marketing & Communications Director
12
Answers
Cottonwood, Arizona
Updated
Doug’s Answer
I was the first in my family to earn advanced degrees. If I could go back, I would focus more on planning. Decide on the types of roles and companies you want to pursue. Reach out to people already in those roles for informational interviews. Take on as many internships as you can manage for hands-on experience. Don't rely solely on advice from admissions and guidance counselors; do your own research. Talk to people working in your field of interest to understand your options. Volunteer and offer your help. You'll learn a lot and gain valuable connections.
Thank you, this is really helpful.
Elijah