Pronouns: She/Her
Lafayette Degree & Major(s): Bachelor of Arts, English & Spanish
Location: New York, NY
Title: Marketing Manager
Employer: NBCUniversal
Describe what your employer/organization does: NBCUniversal is a media and entertainment company, creating content across film, television, and streaming.
Please provide a brief overview of your role: My role is on NBCU’s Creative Partnerships team. We pitch and execute multi-platform partnerships that connect national advertisers to NBCU properties. I work specifically on NBC and Peacock’s Competition Reality programs, which include shows like The Voice and The Traitors. My team collaborates with the shows’ producers to develop custom opportunities for brands, and to then work with our Ad Sales team to bring these opportunities to clients. The partnerships could be anything from integrating a brand into the storyline of a show to creating a custom commercial for a brand that features our talent.
What gets you excited to go to work each day? I love the challenge of tailoring partnership opportunities to meet a brand’s specific marketing goals. It’s exciting to collaborate with so many different teams – Ad Sales, Social, Producers, etc. – to make sure everyone is on track to deliver on these executions. I also feel so fortunate to work on shows that have such a wide fanbase. I know there are so many viewers who are eager for the next episode to drop, and I’m lucky to play a (very) small role working with the teams that bring this content to life.
What keeps you up at night as you think about the opportunities (or challenges) related to your work? Within my role, there are constant changes and updates that impact my day-to-day responsibilities. I’ve learned the importance of being adaptable and pivoting quickly when needed. I’m also always thinking of ways to anticipate challenges that might arise to proactively come up with solutions.
What key strengths are necessary to be successful in entering this career field? I work with so many different teams, both inside and outside of NBCU. It’s been important to get comfortable tailoring my own communication and work style to be most effective and efficient when working with others. With that, I’ve learned the importance of staying organized and having a close attention to detail. Most importantly, anyone looking to enter this field needs to be excited about the world of entertainment and up-to-date on industry trends. It’s easier to know what will resonate with fans when you’re a fan yourself!
Is education beyond a Lafayette degree required to pursue this path? Education beyond a Lafayette degree is not required, but there are people within my field who have pursued MBAs.
How did your Lafayette experience equip you for success in your career field, especially as an early career professional? While my English and Spanish majors do not necessarily corelate directly with my current career field, my experiences at Lafayette were imperative in getting me to where I am. I learned how to communicate effectively in different environments and how to feel confident speaking to my own strengths and skillsets.
What specific experiences during your time at Lafayette made the greatest impact on your professional path? During my time at Lafayette, I was a Marketing Intern with the Gateway Career Center. As a result, I took advantage of the many offerings that the career center has to offer. I participated in the externship program, which gave me an invaluable experience working on Larry King Live in LA. I also networked with a ton of Lafayette alumni, one of whom helped me get my first internship in the industry.
As it relates to career exploration and development, what is one thing that you know now that you wish you could go back in time and tell your student self? I wish I knew that there is more than one path to get to where you want to be – and that the end goal will likely change along the way! After graduation, I joined NBCU’s Page Program, which is a rotational learning and development program for those early in their careers. Through that experience, I learned that there are so many different types of jobs and career paths within the entertainment industry. At the time, I didn’t even know my current team existed, so I’m grateful I tried something different and was openminded in my approach.
What advice do you have for students interested in pursuing your career field? I’d encourage students to meet with as many people as they can within the industry! As I mentioned, working in television is so much more than working on set to produce a show. There are countless teams involved, and I’m still learning more everyday about the different opportunities available.
What strategies, tools, or other efforts do you utilize to find “balance” or reduce your career-related stress? It’s important to take time to step away from work, especially when a big part of your job is sitting in front of a computer screen. It’s been valuable for me to step out to go for a walk or get a coffee when I can. I’ve also found it helpful to talk with my co-workers and peers about any career-related stress to get their perspectives based on their own experiences.
How do you enjoy spending your free time when not at work? Living in NYC, I am constantly in search of the best new restaurants (and slice of pizza!). I love exploring the city – trying new workout classes, going to museum exhibits and concerts, visiting new neighborhoods, etc.
What was your favorite spot on Lafayette’s campus when you were a student? I loved (+miss) sitting on the Quad between classes!
Would you like to connect with Jaclyn to learn more about her career path?
Ms. Moses is happy to connect with students via email. If you’d like to connect with Jaclyn by email, please contact your Gateway Career Counselor for details.
