TeachingKidsBusiness.com e-mentor Marketing Services

Marketing Services
Your Name (optional):	Lori McKnight
Male/female:	Female
City:	Toronto
State/Province:	Ontario
Country:	Canada
Industry:	Marketing
Company (Optional):	Youthography
Job:	Manager, Account Services
Community Service Organization:
Education:
Definitely a business undergrad degree. I have a MBA but not necessarily required for my position.
Training/experience required (years, other jobs):
Marketing experience required either through working at an Ad agency, market research firm or other business in a marketing capacity.
Explain what you do:
I work closely with a wide variety of clients on a number of levels; 1. I am involved in the sales process - contacting prospective clients, presenting our business, writing proposals 2. I manage projects to ensure we are meeting client expectations 3. I am involved in the research and consulting aspect of some of our projects 4. I am responsible for identifying external marketing opps and PR for our company.
Why should kids choose your career path?
I love my job as everyday is different and I am always learning. Marketing is a very creative and exciting field where you deal with a lot of people and new ideas.
What would you recommend career wise and how should kids approach/develop their preparation for a working life?
I would recommend taking as many marketing courses as they can in school and volunteering for organizations where they can help with marketing or fundraising to develop skills.
Lessons learned: If you started all over again what would you do differently?
I would probably have looked for a marketing position right out of school rather than a human resources position. I wasn't focused on where I wanted to be or what I wanted to do so it was pure luck that I landed my current position.
A favorite anecdote, phrase, or expression relating to business that inspires you:
"The only time success comes before work is in the dictionary".
Other suggestions or relevant information you would communicate to kids regarding careers in general:
There are many career oriented websites available such as youthpath.com, edge.com and others that try to give students an idea of different careers out there. I would recommend that you talk to as many people as you can about what they do so you are aware of different jobs. One of the hardest things is finding out what jobs are out there! Once you know what you'd like to do, you can target your search.

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