On Tuesday, March 25, the McDermond Center hosted their annual Spring 2025 Industry Insights Marketing Panel. An extensive number of students showed up to listen to the DePauw alumni’s intriguing experiences working in the marketing industry. The panelist included Juila Travis ‘22, Senior Associate at Eli Lilly and Company for HPC Marketing, Brian Alkire ‘14, Head of Marketing at Sports Tech HQ, Jenny Rine ‘05, Digital Marketing and Companions Leader at Genesys and Vicki Gaardner ‘92, the Vice President of Marketing, Communications and Advocacy at Wabash Valley Power Alliance.
As the panilest described their experiences in their field, the students were given a sense of what a true marketing experience is like and how they can best prepare themselves for this future. The advice and information shared by the panelists emphasized how marketing is a pipeline that feeds oxygen to the company. DePauw alumni stressed to appreciate your DePauw experience and participate in the community. They stated that being involved at DePauw will teach you how to voice your ideas and opinions, teach creativity and confidently take on problems even if they might be outside your area of expertise.
Media Fellow Canela Holley ‘28 said: “As a DePauw student, I think the best thing that they talked about would be the advice that they wish they had when they were in the same place that we are.” It opens up our eyes to new opportunities that may be right in front of us and pushes us to give those opportunities a chance. That might help benefit us in the future.”
According to Holley, taking classes you might not think you will need or participating in class discussions became even more motivating since this discussion with the alumni. Holley also noted that the panel gave her more information on how to really engage with different clubs, conversations and classes.
Management Fellow Wyatt Brewster ‘28 shared: “It is really comforting to know that even though we might not know what we want to do now or that we might major in something different than what our careers are in, there's always possibilities outside of where we are now and outside of where we think we will be in the future.”
Brewster’s key takeaway from the panel discussion was how the panel pushed him to consider marketing strategies as he moves into the workforce.
“In the future, if you enjoy meeting people and really driving that pipeline for your salesman in the company, I think marketing is very valuable. And I think having an insight in that side of the business is important if you want to go into the CEO suite position,” Brewster said.
