be_ixf;ym_202403 d_29; ct_50

EU Alumni Perspective: Doug Donald

Name: Doug Donald

Graduation Year: 1996

Major: English

Current Position: Marketing Automation Professional at Slack Technologies

City and State: Denver, Colorado

 

Tell us about your career and what you do now.

My career spans a number of publishing and marketing roles, including technical writer, newspaper editor, graphic designer and copy writer. Currently I build marketing automation programs for Slack. It’s been a great journey!

 

What is your favorite memory from Evangel?

The friendships I made at Evangel will always be precious to me. I’ll never forget times spent with friends eating and clowning around during meals at the “caf”. I also fondly remember many of my instructors whose kindness and influence powerfully shaped my sense of purpose in life.

 

How did Evangel help you identify/develop your calling?

Evangel helped me identify interests and abilities that I developed and used to find a place in the professional world. In hindsight I can also see how Evangel helped me identify my calling, which is simple: share God’s love through acts of kindness and service to those around me. I have no special gifts – I just try to love others as Christ loves me. I’m still a work in progress, of course, but that’s my life’s ambition.

 

How did your experience at Evangel prepare you for life after graduation?

Most notably Evangel prepared me to think critically about the world around me. I’m still thinking about a lot of things, but what I believe for sure is that Jesus is truth. His life and teaching are the lenses through which I attempt to see everyone and everything else.

 

What advice would you give a current student preparing for the workforce?

Never stop learning. When you identify an area of ignorance, work at it until you understand it like an expert. Don’t be afraid to change your mind.

You may not discover exactly what you want for a career right after graduation (I didn’t), but that’s OK. Challenge yourself to read widely and try new things.

Speak your truth, but always practice empathy and make Jesus and His teaching central to your thinking about your purpose and relationships. “Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you.”

Time passes faster than you think – never take a single day for granted!

 

What would you look for if you were in a position to hire new graduates from Evangel?

I look for empathy, emotional intelligence and self-awareness when evaluating job candidates. Is this person kind? Does this person demonstrate a willingness to learn? How well will this person work with others, especially during stressful times?

Thousands of college graduates enter the workforce each year, and many are talented and ambitious. What truly makes a great employee is someone who relates well to others, learns with humility, and gives a great effort every day. If somebody can do all of that, I can teach them most anything and trust it will work out.