Today we’d like to introduce you to Shelby Poskochil
Hi Shelby, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born and raised in a small farm town in Nebraska where the sense of community and simplicity of life shaped my early years. As I got older, I developed an intense desire to venture beyond my hometown in search of greater opportunities. Following high school, I chose to attend the University of Kansas, where I found a passion for storytelling and communication through taking a mandatory first year course about digital media. In 2015, I began to build my personal brand from my college dorm room as a blogger and content creator where I worked with a number of brands directly such as Target, Aerie, Bumble, Milagro, Jimmy Choo, Benefit Cosmetics, Rocksbox, Vera Bradey, Her Campus, CHI, and more which would later lead to my nomination as InfluenceHer’s Rising Influencer of the Year in 2019. I also began to build my resume through assisting in the launch and growth of beauty and fashion start-ups in Kansas City. Four years later in the spring of 2018, I obtained my bachelor’s degree in journalism with an emphasis in strategic communication and a minor in leadership studies. My time at KU not only allowed me to hone in on what I was passionate about but also expanded my horizons through diverse interactions and challenges.
Upon graduation, I set my sights on the city of Chicago as it offered the perfect backdrop for launching a career in advertising. Embracing the energy and opportunities of Chicago, I quickly immersed myself in the advertising industry and landed an internship at an ad-tech start-up specializing in online video advertising. I thrived in the energetic environment of the start-up and was eventually hired on full-time. I remained in my role until the spring of 2020, when the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic brought significant changes to the professional landscape which ultimately forced me to pursue other career opportunities. In the fall of 2020, I landed a new role with G/O Media, a publishing company with a portfolio of digital brands such as The Onion, The Root, Jezebel, and more, as a media planner. After a short eleven months at the company, I decided to pursue a role at Publicis Groupe, the second largest communications group in the world. I had made it a goal to work for Publicis at their Chicago office ever since my professor senior year of college had told us all about his journey at the agency working on the McDonald’s account. It was exactly the career I was interested in pursuing.
In September of 2021, I was hired onto the media strategy team at Spark Foundry, a global media agency within Publicis and Adweek’s 2022 U.S. Media Agency of the Year and Ad Age’s 2022 Media Agency of the Year. I made significant strides within my first year at Spark Foundry and was quickly promoted to my current role as Associate Director of Media Strategy. Since being in my current role, I have had the opportunity to contribute to various successful advertising campaigns for brands such as Leinenkugel’s, Keystone Light, Wingstop, Jared the Galleria of Jewelry and more.
Although I developed a deep connection with Chicago, a city that continually inspires my creativity and ambition, I made the decision to move to Kansas City in summer of 2022 to be closer to my friends and family where I now reside with my two cats, Stella and Dora.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely has not been a smooth road the entire way. When I first arrived at the University of Kansas, I had no idea what I wanted to do with the rest of my life, especially because I wasn’t a particularly great student in high school as no subject really interested me. I also had no idea what to expect from college as I was the first person in my immediate family to attend. I didn’t even know my major existed let alone that I would be so passionate about it. Making a decision about what you want to do with the rest of your life at 19-years-old was terrifying. I’m very fortunate my future career fell into my lap unexpectedly.
Additionally, when I made the bold decision to move away from home in pursuit of greater opportunities, I was really scared that I had made the wrong decision. Moving to Chicago, was both exhilarating and daunting as I only knew one other person in the entire city and had never lived that far from the comfort of my family and friends before. The early days were definitely filled with loneliness and the challenge of navigating a completely unfamiliar environment. However, these challenges also fostered growth and independence and slowly but surely, I began to carve out a new life, building a network of friends and professional connections that I still maintain today.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I currently work in digital advertising as an Associate Director on the media strategy team, creating and managing online advertising campaigns that help brands connect with their target audiences. My role involves everything from strategizing and designing ads to analyzing performance metrics and optimizing campaigns for better results.
I am most proud of the progress I’ve made in my career thus far by consistently pushing past my comfort zone and taking leaps of faith. Each time I’ve faced a challenging opportunity, whether it’s leading a new project or taking on roles that seemed daunting, I’ve embraced the uncertainty and stepped forward with confidence. These experiences have not only expanded my skill set and professional network but have also reinforced my belief in my ability to adapt and excel in new situations. This willingness to take risks and pursue growth has been a cornerstone of my career development.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Covid-19 taught me the important of resilience and adaptability. Everyone was navigating through the challenges of remote work, disrupted routines, job loss, and the broader impact on the advertising industry. When I first learned I had lost my job during covid, I was devastated. I couldn’t believe I had been laid off at only 23 years old at the very early stages of my career. It really tested my perseverance and reinforced the necessity of staying positive and focused even in the face of adversity.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shelbyposkochil
