Alex Desnoyers

Major: Communication Arts (Communication Science & Rhetoric track)

Certificate: Digital Studies

Graduation Date: August 2014

How did you end up where you are today?

After I graduated, I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do professionally, so I took the first “real” job I was offered at an equities research firm. It ended up being glorified telemarketing, so I started looking for something with more substance. I was able to land an entry level position in client services at a digital marketing agency outside of Boston. This was a big step in the right direction as it allowed me to work with real people solving real business problems. After working my way up in the agency and honing my skill set, I was recruited to HubSpot, where I’m very happy and loving what I do: helping organizations Grow Better.

What does a typical day in the office look like for you?

I work directly with our Agency Partners to help them drive value for their clients using the HubSpot platform. Most of our time together is spent developing their digital strategy – how to best attract, convert, close, and delight customers online. We work together to find ways to use the powerful technology at our fingertips to reach people with an empathetic approach.

How has Digital Studies influenced your career path?

Digital Studies introduced me to larger themes of influence and culture, specifically how the human element affects digital culture, and vice versa. The certificate planted the seeds for my interest in technology, and helped me realize my interest in keeping tech “human” and valuing empathy in an increasingly digital world. We talked a lot about this in Com Arts 472: Rhetoric and Technology with Professor Jenell Johnson – it was by far my favorite course I took for the certificate.

Do you have any advice for current students

Don’t be afraid to take courses that are outside of “what you know.” Some of my favorite courses were on subjects that I knew very little about when I signed up. This challenge of starting fresh and taking a risk in being a novice was really rewarding.