Name: Sarah Baker Andrus
Title: Director of Academic Programs
Company: Vector Marketing Corporation
Education: B.A., Government and Politics, The University of Maryland
M.A., Education Policy, The University of Maryland
Work Experience: I started my career in university student services as an academic advisor, co-op coordinator and non-credit programs manager. For the last 15 years, I have worked with Vector Marketing in recruitment, public relations and academic outreach.
What I do: I lead Vector Marketing’s outreach to the academic community, managing the brand and public image, and serve as corporate spokesperson to the media. I am responsible for the company's philanthropic programs within academia. I also work with a team of managers responsible for Vector's recruitment programs at hundreds of colleges and universities throughout North America.
How I got there: When I came on board at Vector, they had never hired someone from the "outside," having a strict promote from within policy. They recognized, however, that in order to work well with the campuses where they recruit, they needed someone who understood the campus side of recruiting. My background fit the bill. The most important thing I had to do in order to have any impact was to assess and adjust to a completely new corporate culture. In order to understand the business, I went through Cutco sales training and conducted demonstrations with customers. I believe this helped the management team accept me and gained me some respect. Over the years, I was able to expand my efforts, eventually adding a staff of 7 regional campus relations managers to replicate my work on a more local level. My current role is a strategic one focuses on building relationships for the long-term health and growth of Vector Marketing.
Skills needed: Superior written and oral communications skills are needed, with expertise in negotiating and conflict resolution. To succeed with Vector Marketing, one also needs excellent interpersonal, strategic thinking, and planning skills. A solid understanding of public relations and marketing, including news media is also a must.
Where would I go from here? I have a strong entrepreneurial bent, so starting a business will probably be my next step.
Advice: Don't get too caught up in choosing the "right" first job after college. Instead focus on building the right skills and experience. When evaluating a job, ask yourself, how can I grow here? Always do more than expected and don't let others hold you back.
Biggest misconception: The biggest misconception I encounter is that sales is somehow not a great career choice. False! Some of today's best opportunities are in sales, and many people who are advancing into the executive ranks began their career in sales. Regardless of your ultimate career interests, sales is a great place to start and will give you invaluable business skills you'll use personally and professionally throughout your life.
To succeed and enjoy this position, you need to: Be able to find ways to influence the actions and thinking of people over whom you have no authority. Enjoy the art of persuasion and communication. Believe in Vector Marketing’s mission and the opportunities it provides. Feel comfortable in the background; some of my greatest successes involve work that, if I've done my job well, no one will ever know about.