Recently, I had the wonderful opportunity to return to my alma mater, Dominican University, for the Pioneers Career Panel. I was joined by Caroline Crozier, trustee emerita of Dominican University and CEO of LatinX Digital Leaders—a nonprofit advancing digital equity policies and initiatives for Latino inclusion.

As a marketing and design specialist, nothing brings me more joy than connecting with bright minds eager to make their mark in the professional world!

An energizing conversation

During this session, I shared something that's been fundamental to my career success: how to apply proven marketing strategies to build your professional presence. Think about it - just as we create compelling brand stories for products and services, we can craft our own narrative that resonates with employers and industry peers.

We dove into a fascinating exercise where I took the students on a journey back in time, analyzing my 18-year-old self's career decisions as an aspiring designer. Using core marketing concepts like positioning, unique value proposition, and target audience analysis, we explored how these principles could have accelerated my early career growth. It was eye-opening to see how concepts like SWOT analysis and brand differentiation can be powerful tools for personal career development!

‍

The importance of a personal brand

One of my favorite moments was breaking down the components of personal branding. Just as every successful brand has its key differentiators, your professional identity should highlight what makes you unique. We discussed how to:

• Define your unique value proposition (what sets you apart from others)
• Create a consistent personal brand voice across platforms
• Leverage your network as your brand's "marketing channels"
• Position yourself strategically in your chosen industry

The most powerful takeaway? Your personal brand isn't just about landing a job - it's about creating a foundation for long-term career success.

‍

By clearly defining your professional identity, you're not just showcasing your current capabilities; you're creating a roadmap for where you want to go and how you'll get there.

A huge shoutout to Dr. Tina Taylor-Ritzler and Kathy Meisinger for inviting me to be part of this inspiring conversation with students. And of course, a big thank you to Caroline Sanchez Crozier for being an awesome co-panelist!

To all the students who attended and shared their insights: your enthusiasm and curiosity were truly infectious. Your questions and engagement showed me that the future of our industry is in great hands.

Here's to more opportunities to connect with current and future trailblazers.

Remember, your personal brand is your professional superpower - use it wisely!

‍