Director of Marketing at Louis Plung & Company is a 2014 M.B.A. Alumna Monday, November 3, 2014
Meet Julia Germeyer
Job title: Director of Marketing
Employer: Louis Plung & Company
Degrees earned: M.B.A. with a concentration in management, Point Park University; Bachelor of Arts in communication: rhetoric and certification in public and professional writing, University of Pittsburgh
Graduated: 2014 and 2007
Honors and awards: Point Park University Outstanding Graduate Student award and Association for Accounting Marketing achievement awards in digital advertising, business development/sales and special events
Hometown: Scottdale, Pa.
High school: Southmoreland High School
Now living in: Baldwin, Pa.
Hobbies/interests: Anything outdoors (hiking, biking, etc.); reading; wine tours; and traveling
Professional memberships: Association for Accounting Marketing, Professional Services Marketing Association and the National Association of Women MBAs
Twitter: jgermy13
As a communications professional, why did you decide to pursue an M.B.A. degree?
I wanted more of a business background. My entire background had been in communications and marketing, and I wanted to contribute at a higher level. I knew I couldn't do that with just my undergraduate degree. The M.B.A. program helped me understand the business side of things, which has allowed me to become a more effective member of the management team.
What factors made you select Point Park?
First, the location. I work Downtown so it was really easy for me to get to campus after work. Also, I liked the flexible class schedules offered. I ended up taking courses in the evenings and on Saturdays. My schedule varied between the traditional 15-week semester to the accelerated and fast track formats. It was really helpful. The third reason was because Point Park didn't require the GMAT. I could start right away as long as I was accepted.
In what ways has your M.B.A degree helped you advance professionally?
Last year, I was promoted from marketing manager to director of marketing. The fact that I was pursuing my M.B.A. degree helped in the decision-making process. Also, I've gained many intangibles. I'm more confident, I communicate better and I look at things from a wider lens. Overall, I'm able to contribute more to my company.
In addition, having a master's degree helped me land an adjunct faculty teaching position in the Department of English at the University of Pittsburgh. Three years ago, before having my M.B.A. degree, I wouldn't have been prepared, let alone qualified, to get in front of 22 students and teach for two and a half hours.
What were some of your favorite experiences at Point Park?
I really enjoyed the students I had classes with at Point Park. Most of my classmates were full-time working professionals, had families just like me and experience in their fields, so that all came together for interesting classroom discussions. There were a lot of international students as well. What those students had gone through just to get to this point and the added dimension they brought to class was absolutely fascinating.
As far as specific classes, I was most surprised that my favorite classes were the analytical-based courses like economics, accounting and statistics. I loved my accounting for managers and forensic accounting classes with Dr. Maharaja and my organizational behavior course with Dr. Langbein. My strategic planning class with Dr. Breslove was great as well. He really encouraged students to think outside of the box and approach things from an open-minded view instead of a textbook theory approach.
What are your career goals?
I will continue to develop my leadership skills. Being an effective leader is so important, for professional development on not just yourself, but for your team and the whole organization. Eventually, I see myself as part of an executive management team in a role where I can contribute to corporate growth.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
For anyone considering Point Park, I definitely say go for it. It's fantastic. The M.B.A. professors were amazing. The courses were challenging but not impossible. I'm really impressed with how much Point Park has changed and grown since I started the M.B.A. program in 2011.