'Great support system' from JDM program key to recent AU grad thriving in new job
Katie Foster admits she decided to attend Ashland University because it was close to home.
“I chose AU out of convenience, but I have no doubts that is exactly where I was meant to be,” said Foster, who was living in Ashland when she graduated from Shelby High School. “The college not only gave me a great education and experiences through the journalism department, but also friends and memories I’ll treasure forever.”
The “great education and experiences through the journalism department” helped the December 2022 AU graduate land her first post-college job three months ago as a digital marketing specialist with Source Brand Solutions in Mansfield, Ohio.
Foster got her foot in the door during college as a freelance reporter for the online news side of the company.
Adam Fox, the company’s digital marketing director, said they hired Foster full time on the marketing side after getting a good look at her professional training, aptitude and how eager she was to learn and grow as a freelancer, as well as her education and marketing foundation (a bachelor’s degree in public relations and strategic communication with a minor in journalism).
“Katie works on growth and messaging campaigns for clients,” Fox said. “She does a great job of listening to what they need and then applies strategy and tools to accomplish their goals.
“She will continue to improve in the areas of marketing strategy, and now with AI, the field continues to need new professionals with a willingness to adapt and grow,” Fox added.
In addition to Fox and the rest of the “creative and talented team members” at Source Brand Solutions, Foster said the guidance she received in the AU journalism and digital media department (JDM) from instructors Dave McCoy, Ted Daniels, Derek Wood, John Skrada and Terry Foss has helped her thrive so far in her job.
“They all pushed me to explore different areas in the program,” Foster said about her JDM instructors, “and helped me to become more multifaceted, so I was well prepared for my current job and the future.
“Deciding your next steps in life is not easy, but it becomes a little easier when you have a really great support system behind you,” she added. “I look forward to growing as an individual and in my career. Enhancing and expanding my skills I acquired from AU and meeting and creating connections with great people along the way.”
Even though Foster joined the JDM department later in her college career, Daniels said she immersed herself in the JDM experience.
Having a show on the AU radio station, 88.9 WRDL; writing stories for the university’s newspaper, The Collegian; and managing the college’s news website, AU-Live; were some of her favorite memories at Ashland University, Foster said.
“I will always hold AU dear to my heart,” she said. “It’s the place where I learned so much about myself and what I wanted for my future. But I am most grateful for the people AU gave me that I know will always support me no matter where life takes me.”