Alumni Profile: Meet Michele Tabaka, Marketing Director at John Heineman Co. Thursday, August 14, 2014
Meet Michele Tabaka
Job title and employer: Marketing Director, John V. Heineman Company
Degree earned: B.A. in public relations and advertising with a minor in business management, 2013
Hometown: Cheswick, Pa.
Now living in: Pittsburgh, Pa.
High School: Springdale High School
Hobbies/interests: Traveling, fashion and the Miami Heat
Why did you choose to attend Point Park for your major?
I started out at Point Park as a broadcasting reporting major and switched to public relations and advertising my sophomore year. I would still love the opportunity to do on-camera reporting, however, at the time I made my decision based off of my accomplishments in the public relations field. Knowing that there were advertising and marketing agencies in Downtown Pittsburgh, I felt that it was a perfect jump start to my career.
What was it like going to school in Downtown Pittsburgh?
I have always loved being in the city, so pursuing my education in Downtown Pittsburgh made perfect sense. There is always something to do in the city. Whether it was going to Point State Park to play pick-up soccer, taking the bus to the South Side, or even having lunch in Market Square, going to school in the city was a great way to meet new people and to stay involved in the community.
What are some of your key responsibilities at your job?
As the marketing director I constructed a completely new marketing campaign for the company. One of the main components I wanted to focus on was social media, so I created and now manage all of the social media platforms and several sections of the website. I also work on print advertisements which are created for weekly distribution.
How did the education and training you received at Point Park prepare you for your career?
I am extremely grateful for all of the support and guidance I received from my professors while attending and after graduating from Point Park. They are truly committed to helping their students succeed by always recommending various opportunities in the field. Recommended by Professor Bob O'Gara, I was able to compete in the National Advertising Competition in New York City, and I could not be more thankful for such an opportunity to help prepare me for the work force.
What are your career goals?
I would like to move to a larger city to work in the public relations field in the fashion industry. Working at John V. Heineman is a great start to my professional career and I hope this first step will help my dreams become a reality.