The move from college to corporate is a significant milestone for any young professional. Our Marketing Excellence Program (MEP) offers a structured path to make the jump. We connected with two MEP grads, Lauren and Michael, to talk about how the program allowed them to explore various facets of marketing and develop essential skills.
Finding the right fit
Any marketer will tell you the field is vast, with many alleys and side streets to go down. We designed MEP to be rotational for that reason.
During the two-year program, participants spend time as a member of many teams instead of just one, offering the unique opportunity to build relationships in multiple business areas and learn something new every time. It was just what Michael and Lauren wanted.
“Marketing is a huge discipline. Knowing there were so many possible routes to go was as exciting as it was daunting for a senior trying to take the ‘right’ first step,” Lauren said. “I didn’t want to be pigeonholed into one niche, so when I discovered MEP, I knew it was the answer I’d been looking for.”
Michael echoed that sentiment, adding, “The rotations are long enough to learn and make a meaningful impact, but not so long that you get too settled in.”
Going hands-on
Throughout their rotations, Lauren and Michael worked on exciting projects that broadened their horizons, deepened their understanding of our culture, and allowed them to make real contributions.
Lauren’s first rotation gave her the opportunity to work on our first-ever Integrated Marketing plan, providing strategic direction company wide. In her second rotation, she was part of an advertising team executing that strategy. “I really got a sense of the importance of being able to bridge strategy and production,” she said.
MEP is not one-size-fits all, though, and Michael’s experiences were quite different. “I got to serve as the VR demo lead at a college event in Washington, D.C. showcasing our 5G network’s capabilities,” he told us. “This project not only enhanced my technical and presentation skills, but also deepened my understanding of how AT&T is making a real difference in digital education. The company’s motto is true: ‘Connecting Changes Everything’.”
Overcoming challenges
Exciting projects come with exciting challenges. A support system like MEP can be crucial in learning how to navigate the kinds of obstacles young professionals encounter.
For Lauren, learning to balance bandwidth with ambition was key. Eager to take advantage of all the opportunities available at AT&T, she found herself over extended. Through clear communication and time management, she was able to find a healthy level. “I learned a valuable lesson about being strategic with your ‘yeses’ and making sure to drive growth for the business and yourself.”
Michael, on the other hand, struggled with networking. Coming from a culture where employees keep their heads down, relationship-building at work was new to him. He set a goal for himself to conduct 25 coffee chats in the year. These chats helped him build a support system, get familiar with different business units, and see new perspectives. “Ultimately, these connections have greatly benefited my professional growth and have become an integral part of my career journey,” he shared.
Experiencing #LifeAtATT
During their time in the program, our MEPers fully bought in to our purpose of connecting people to greater possibilities. “I take pride in knowing that I’m a part of something bigger and making a positive difference in the world,” Lauren said.
Those greater possibilities are for our team members, too, as we put an emphasis on learning and growth. Lauren and Michael both enjoyed the supportive culture of AT&T, with numerous team members imparting wisdom and offering help.
In fact, without his mentors, Michael would have had a very different experience. He explained, “When I expressed my interest in the product organization, my mentor set up chats with three of their VPs.” This ultimately led to Michael bringing his marketing skills to that team.
Paying it forward
The Marketing Excellence Program is all about mastering marketing fundamentals, understanding AT&T’s business, and rounding out a professional toolkit. Lauren and Michael were more than happy to share some of what they’ve learned with future participants:
- Be Curious: Step out of your comfort zone and seek to learn about new sides of AT&T or marketing.
- Build Community: The connections you make will enrich your experience and open doors for you.
- Speak Up: Your fresh perspective is invaluable – don’t hesitate to share your observations and ask questions.
As Michael and Lauren continue to grow in their careers, their stories serve as inspiration for other young professionals. “The program provided me with a network of connections for support and a safe space to learn all the knowledge needed to succeed here,” Michael said.
“Thanks to MEP, I’m in a full-time role that I’m truly passionate about and I’m confident in my ability to make an impact,” Lauren concluded.
Apply to our Marketing Excellence Program
