Name: Meredith Kyle
Graduation Year: 2018
Major: Marketing
Current Position: Digital Marketing Manager at Cultivator Advertising & Design
City and State: Denver, CO
Tell us about your career and what you do now.
I’m the digital marketing manager for a branding and design agency in Denver. We work with a large variety of clients, including many in the real estate, hospitality, and tourism industries (you may recognize this project…Missouri followed me to CO, apparently: https://cultivatorads.com/work/visit-branson/). In my role, I advise clients on digital strategy and execute all of our digital campaigns.
What is your favorite memory from Evangel?
One of my favorite memories at Evangel was getting to share with other students in chapel what our Enactus club was accomplishing through our women’s empowerment program in Ethiopia. Through Enactus, I was able to see the application of business as a way to live out faith practically.
How did Evangel help you identify/develop your calling?
My time at Evangel was an exciting journey of discovering the “sweet spot” where my passions and my gifts lined up. I started my program with a vague interest in business, and graduated with a specific drive for strategic marketing and small business. During my time in the business department, I was heavily involved with Enactus, and it was that hands-on involvement and application of classroom concepts that helped me identify new areas of skill and interest. At a large state school, I don’t think I would have had the same hands-on opportunities as I did with the smaller class sizes at Evangel.
How did your experience at Evangel prepare you for life after graduation?
My professors invested in me as an individual. They made sure I was not only ready for the workforce, but encouraged the development of soft skills that have helped me both inside and outside my career. I learned to be a listener and take the back-seat when appropriate; I learned to step up and lead with confidence when needed. My time at Evangel equipped me professionally but went far beyond that, helping me develop as a whole person.
What advice would you give a current student preparing for the workforce?
You’ll learn a lot of practical skills in your time at Evangel, but those aren’t the only things that will propel you forward in the workforce. Be open to the professors and mentors around you who want to invest in you. They can help shape you into a future employee who is open to learning, encouraging to others, reliable, and hardworking. These things will help you advance and stand out in a professional environment.
What would you look for if you were in a position to hire new graduates from Evangel?
I would look for students who are driven and self-motivated. The ability to take learning just one step further through getting involved in clubs and projects shows initiative and builds a portfolio for your resume. These skills transfer well into a fast-paced marketing environment like the one I work in.