Kelsey Howe shares how her switch from PR to Ad Sales set her up for success
In a series of interviews, we asked our Alumni about their experiences at CM Life. Read on to see how Kelsey Howe shares her "Life Story."
In celebration of CM Life's upcoming 100 Year Anniversary, we asked alumnus Kelsey Howe to reflect on her time at CM Life and how it helped her get prepared for the job she has today.
Q: What year did you begin working for CM Life?
A: 2013
Q: How long were you here?
A: 2013 – 2016
Q: What position did you work in?
A: I started working at CM Life as a PR Executive, then moved to PR Manager in the Spring semester 2014. I made another transition to the Advertising team in 2014 as an Account Executive. In the fall of my senior year in 2015 I helped manage a team of Account Executives as an Assistant Advertising Manager.
Q: What were some of the highlights or favorite memories while working for CM Life?
A: Aside from going to the Bird every Thursday night for two-dollar doubles with my CM Life family (Which I believe is still a CM Life tradition?), I could spend hours talking about my favorite memories at CM Life. One of the first memories that comes to mind is CMBAM. I’ve been to a few CMBAM’s while at CM Life, but my favorite memory is my senior year trip to Colorado where CM Life won for the 4th consecutive year! A couple CM Life friends and I flew out early prior to CMBAM in Colorado for spring break to explore the state before the rest of the CM Life gang showed up. We rented a car and drove through the mountains, stopped in some fun cities, and enjoyed the night life of Denver together. CMBAM was always something we looked forward to each year. It was a blast to celebrate the paper’s accomplishments together from the previous year and a great opportunity to network with professionals whether you were looking for your first job or first internship. I ended up interviewing there and landing my first job out of school with Scripps Media Company (ABC 7 Detroit) while at CMBAM my senior year.
One of the things I’m most proud of that has stayed with me as a sentimental memory of mine, was winning 2nd Best College Sales Rep during CMBAM that same year. What a great accomplishment and honor to have received. Something I will truly never forget.
Q: How did your experience at CM Life influenced your career, today?
A: If it weren’t for CM Life, I truthfully can say I would not be where I am today. Had I never made the transition from the PR team to the Ad Sales team, and had a great sales leader like Kathy, I’m not sure I would have ever discovered my passion for sales. During my time at CM Life, I learned that I loved forming relationships with my clients, hunting for new business opportunities, and ultimately discovered something I was good at. The basic sales experiences I gained from CM Life helped me attain my first real sales job in my professional career at WXYZ, ABC 7 in Detroit as an Account Executive, where I spent over two years selling local media.
In addition, I often find myself still tied and connected to CM Life in many ways in my professional career. From a sales standpoint, I’ve been able to connect with other former CM Lifer’s before my time and during my time to connect with for business opportunities. CM Lifer’s are everywhere and doing big things!!The 100 Year Anniversary celebration will be at Soaring Eagle Casino and Conference Center on Nov. 16 at 5 p.m. Click here to purchase tickets. They must be purchased by Nov. 13 at 4 p.m. in order to attend.
