Philadelphia CEO Says, 'Relevant Internships' Prepare Students For A Great Career
Marc Brownstein is President & Chief Executive Officer at Brownstein Group, Philadelphia's oldest independent brand communication agency. Marc has had a love affair with advertising since his first client meeting at the age of three. Marc joined Brownstein as executive creative director; he is also the interim director of Drexel University's Center for Corporate Reputation Management. He speaks regularly before industry groups and is a blogger for Advertising Age magazine.
What sort of education is needed to secure a good job in business management?
"I think you can learn a lot from textbooks and the discipline that comes with a college education, but the most valuable sort of education is what you gain from actually being in the business and having access to real world experience. I'm involved in several CEO peer groups and we frequently meet to share best practices with one another, to share real life scenarios we've experienced at our respective businesses, and to offer advice. Another great resource for educating and preparing oneself for a job in business management is reading. With industry-related books, you have access to the secrets and thinking behind some of the smartest, most strategic players in the business."
What is the most challenging aspect of being a business manager?
"Building the right culture. Getting it right and making sure that everyone you hire shares your values. Vetting this through the interview process is extremely challenging and you come across some pretty good salespeople who can sail through. But you have to take the time and investment required to find the right people for the job. Hiring someone who is the wrong fit for your company can quickly and negatively impact your culture and business."
After graduation, how hard was it to transition to the actual working world?
"It was hard for me. Being a creative type, I enjoyed playing by my own rules and doing things at my own speed. I was an entrepreneur and made my own hours. All of that quickly changes when you transition to the working world. Falling into that structure of a workplace environment after being an entrepreneur was really difficult, but I figured it out over time. I spent eight years at Ogilvy and the learning and experiences I gained there were phenomenal, but ultimately I knew that wasn't for me. I needed to work for myself; that's just the way I'm wired."
What advice would you give someone who is pursuing a career in this field?
"This field is so broad. The best way to prep yourself for a career – be it in business management, advertising, or any field - is relevant internships. It's so critical to get as much on the job experience under your belt as possible before actually going out into the real world - not only to help you stand out among your competition, but to offer insight into what you may or may not want to do. You'll get a real flavor for whether that career path is the right fit for you."
Christina Thompson is a freelance writer living in Philadelphia. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
