Caitlin Hassler credits the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Journalism and Mass Communications with giving her the experience she needed to be successful in the real world when she graduated in 2014.
Jacht Ad Lab, the college’s student-run advertising agency, was a major stepping stone to her success, she said. Hassler was a copywriter and editor at the agency while in college.
“Jacht was valuable,” she said. “It was a great place to test my professional abilities and collaborate with people who were as passionate as I was. Those connections will last a lifetime.”
Hassler credits these connections as the main reason for securing her dream job right out of college – social media coordinator for Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development.
She knew early on that she wanted to work in destination marketing. As a member of Nebraska Women’s Leadership Network, formerly Cather’s Circle, Hassler was connected with a Nebraska alumna who worked for Montana tourism.
Her biggest piece of advice for students is to find what their passion is and go for it.
“Never be afraid to incorporate what you love in your personal life into your professional one,” she said. “It was my love of skiing and travel that first got me interested in destination marketing.”
Hassler encourages students to be open to new opportunities and experiences, too.
“Don’t be afraid to let your passion shift either,” she said. This shift in passions helped her find her most recent step in her career as a marketing generalist at Creighton University.
“It’s great to face a new challenge. I’ll be on the forefront of marketing to Generation Z in this new position,” she said.
Hassler’s most important advice for recent graduates is to take risks.
“I didn’t know anyone when I moved to Montana, which was both thrilling and terrifying, but I’m so happy I did it. It makes you a better person. It also helps you take risks with the work that you create.”