Joseph Ferry

What I do:
I currently work as a public relations and digital marketing account management executive on a federal government contract, personally focused on digital media outreach.

How I ended up working there:
I found my current position by networking heavily with SPP alumni. Over time as I networked, I realized that I was very much interested in pursuing work at a PR agency focused on government advocacy. Once I realized what I was looking for, LinkedIn was truly my best friend during my search. Not only did LinkedIn lead me to job postings, but it also led me to find the next person I could reach out to for an informational interview, or to find another company to research. I applied to every position I could find that I was remotely interested in – even if my prior experience did not 100% align with their requirements. I found this to be a very successful strategy for me, because the interviews I was selected for were a great opportunity for me to not only develop my interviewing skills, but also to understand the inner workings of the industry I was about to enter. If there is one piece of advice I would give any student entering the professional world: it’s to take as many interviews as you possibly can, because you never know where it may lead you.

The best part of my job:
I work at a marketing communications agency that is not limited to government contracts. My company has accounts that range from retail brands, financial firms, healthcare companies, and more. I find it fascinating to learn from my colleagues on these accounts, because it's incredibly interesting to me how I can use similar strategies toward policy advocacy that may be used for private sector business. I am not using marketing strategies to sell a product, but I am using marketing strategies to sell public policy options.

How the School of Public Policy prepared me for my career:
The community at SPP is incredibly supportive and tight-knit, and the professionally-focused courses are priceless. I gained a considerable amount of professional confidence at SPP that I without a doubt carried into my job interviews and now my current position. I’m incredibly thankful for this growth and for the amazing individuals I met during my time in my program, who I will always keep in touch with both professionally and personally.

Posted April 2023