Chief Marketing Officer Brings Expertise To Education Company
Sylvan Learning Inc., an education franchise company headquartered in Baltimore, has hired Julia Fitzgerald as chief marketing officer to assist in launching new programs for the brand. These programs, known as Sylvan EDGE, are, according to Sylvan, hands-on, cutting-edge classes, which focus on robotics, coding and accelerated math, all designed to promote STEM skills in a fun and interactive atmosphere.
Fitzgerald is a seasoned marketing professional; she has a B.A. in Spanish and a B.S. in business from Northwestern University and an M.B.A. from Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern. She has worked in several industries prior to joining Sylvan.
You have worked for several large companies. What led you into marketing?
"I have always been fascinated with storytelling and understanding how people are motivated. This naturally led me into marketing where we tell brand and product stories and look for effective ways to connect with consumers."
How does your educational background relate to your current role?
"My undergraduate degrees from Ohio State gave me the basics. Going to a Big 10 school also provided me with the opportunities to travel abroad and expand my point of view as well as to enjoy multiple internships that helped me develop business skills. My MBA from Kellogg was very rigorous training that refined my marketing skills, but also gave me strategy, finance, and management acumen that have been critical in my career."
How has your education helped to further your career and contributed to your success?
"My experience has been that education clearly opens doors for career advancement since, today, most careers require an undergraduate degree and most advanced positions in marketing and management require MBA's. But, as marketing has radically evolved, I have grown my career by continuing my education through seminars, workshops and conferences. Education never stops."
What is some advice you can offer others looking to go into marketing?
"Focus on the aspect of marketing that really interests you. Not sure? Go to a school that offers a broad range of marketing classes for undergrads. Combine education and experience to build expertise. Keep learning! As consumers evolve, a marketer's skill set needs to evolve."
Susan Brown originally spent many years in banking/finance before confronting her addictions. She has now been in recovery for 20 years.
Primary interests include metaphysics and energy healing in which
she has several certifications. She has written for Examiner.com since 2009 and also writes for Om Times. Sue lives in Baltimore.