Joe Paul

Major: Marketing

Certificate: Digital Studies

Graduation Date: May 2019

How did you end up working at Google?

My first jobs out of college were Digital Analytics roles for firms that are known as Google Marketing Platform Resellers. These consulting firms help Google sell their analytics solutions to companies all over the world.

My early career was defined by working with Google Analytics. I spent nearly all of my time helping marketers understand how users were interacting with their websites. This was a skill I directly gained from being in the Digital Studies program and was a key differentiator I was able to highlight as a candidate when interviewing during my final semester at UW.

Those early years let me gain expertise in a variety of Google products, and after 4 separate applications over 2 years, I was able to interview for my current position at Google! The job market can be favorable or thinly stretched depending on what’s going on in the world. My advice? Be tenacious, let time help you gain confidence, and sell your abilities well!

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

At Google, Ad Sales is what powers Google’s ability to invest in innovative technologies and create services used across the world. In my two years here, I have been an Analytical Lead working in Large Customer Sales. If you’ve seen a sponsored result while searching on Google or a YouTube ad while watching your favorite content, my role is all about proving the impact those digital ads have for businesses that advertise with Google.

Much of my work is centered on using vast amounts of data to craft narratives about consumer trends and help businesses understand how their digital marketing is performing (and how it can be improved). There’s plenty of advanced statistics as well, but it’s been great fun learning new and complex topics while at Google. It’s like being paid to go back to school!

How has Digital Studies influenced your career path?

In the business school, my marketing degree was rooted firmly in traditional marketing approaches & decades-established concepts. While foundational to my learning, the world moves so much faster than a course textbook can be updated. That is especially true for any digital career.

My experience in Digital Studies gave me a distinct advantage in my job search by allowing me to pair a traditional business degree with tangible experience in digital marketing, analytics, and information technology. I picked up each of those skills across the broad spectrum of courses offered by the program!

Did you have a favorite Digital Studies class when you were a student?

LIS 351: Intro to Digital Information! I was able to directly apply the skills I picked up in this class to my first jobs out of college. Additionally, as governments work to catch up on their ability to regulate & preserve user rights in our online world, I would venture to say that understanding the intersection of law and digital information is vital to having a successful career in digital analytics.

Do you have any advice for current students?

If opportunity allows, try and travel for a semester abroad within your respective school & broaden your world horizon! Unfortunately in the US, workers in many industries have limited ability to take extended periods of time off. However, as a student, you have access to many resources & support pathways to help you further your education internationally and live in a different country for 4-6 months.

I was able to spend a semester abroad in Bangkok, Thailand and take courses that credited towards my marketing degree. Though I wouldn’t say the experience set me on my specific career path, it absolutely changed my worldview and perspective on life for the better.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career thus far?

This might be less of an accomplishment, and more of an evolution, but gaining confidence in my abilities & advocating for myself in a professional setting. In school, I struggled with effective public speaking & often had a really hard time tackling challenging coursework. This definitely crept into my early career where I often fought against feelings of imposter syndrome and inadequacy, especially when I was working with many talented & tenured professionals. It certainly didn’t happen in a day, but figuring out how to be comfortable taking risks and giving myself the grace to fail is something I’m proud to have achieved.