Courtney Shipshock

Major: Journalism (emphasis in Strategic Communication)

Certificate: Digital Studies

Graduation Date: May 2019

How did you end up working at PerkSpot?

My marketing career started when I interned as a junior in college at Kohl’s Corporate. I was an intern on the internal communications team where I wrote weekly blogs that were shared company-wide with 140,000+ associates. I found my love for communications and was trusted with big projects that challenged and inspired me! Following graduation, I worked as a Marketing Associate/Coordinator for a large construction company where I wore a lot of hats and learned a lot about project management, B2B communications, and strategic positioning. Fast forward to today, I work for a Chicago tech company as a Senior Content Marketing Associate.

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

PerkSpot is a trusted employee savings platform that ensures employees see unbeatable discounts curated to their unique interests. My day-to-day responsibilities are largely focused on creative copy needs throughout the business. Projects range from short-form requests like subject lines and header copy to long-form content like e-books and presentations. A few other projects I typically work on include weekly newsletter copy, seasonal campaigns, client communications, demand gen email communications, and content strategy. As a senior copywriter, I spend the majority of my day ideating, writing, and collaborating with internal team members to successfully deliver on project goals and company initiatives. I love my job because I get the opportunity to use my creativity every day while learning along the way!

How has Digital Studies influenced your career path?

Digital Studies has played a big role in influencing my career path. Prior to taking classes, I was unsure what I wanted to do with my degree since there are so many different paths to choose from. What I love about Digital Studies is that it provides you with the necessary tools to be successful in today’s marketing world. It’s no secret that we live in a digital age, so arming yourself with the knowledge you’ll need in nearly every marketing role is important. Some examples of tools that have helped me are social media knowledge and skills, photography expertise used in storytelling, and the ins and outs of creative campaign messaging.

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

My favorite class I took that counted towards my Digital Studies certificate was Journalism 445: Creative Campaign Messages. This class is what really opened my eyes to the possibilities in marketing and just how creative you can be on a daily basis if you find a career that aligns with your talents.

Do you have any advice for current students?

My advice is to step out of your comfort zone whether it’s in the classroom or outside. If there’s something that you’re interested in learning about, check it out. If you see a club that sounds interesting, attend a kick-off meeting. If you have an idea for a project that might be considered out of the box, speak up. The time you have will go by so quickly and the amount of different opportunities at your fingertips is endless. Try everything and leave with no regrets!

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

I currently write one of our weekly emails that we deliver to 3 million+ members. Although the project itself is one I’m proud of, I think being trusted as an in-house copywriting expert is one that I would have high on my list. As with any career, it takes time to develop rapport so it’s extremely rewarding to have the opportunity to collaborate cross-functionally on important projects and see results!