By Jennifer Yoder, Account Coordinator
Two years ago, I graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in communication studies and a minor in marketing. I started as a business major and didn’t have an idea or plan as to where I’d end up after graduation. After my first year of taking business classes, although interesting and practical, I found myself disengaged with my coursework and even more confused about my future. As part of my university’s graduation requirements, I needed to take 15 units of other courses that were different from my major. I chose to look into the communications courses after going through the descriptions with my counselor and was immediately drawn to the course titled “organizational communication.”
On Day 1 of my first communications class, I fell in love with the course. It was almost like a light switch or a ping of realization that went off inside of me – I was engaged, excited to learn and hopeful for the new career opportunities that lay ahead. I expressed all of this to my counselor, and with a smile on her face, she suggested I switch majors. The following year, I made the switch over to the communications program, but kept marketing as a minor.
Following my graduation, I looked for marketing assistant jobs and ended up at a Venture Capital firm as an assistant to the partners. While there, I supported the Investor Relations director and, for the second time in my life, felt that same ping of enthusiasm for a brand-new opportunity. I immediately started looking for positions in public relations and got a job in San Francisco as an account coordinator at a boutique agency. I remember the feeling of excitement that hit me doing something I was confident about.
It was only a few months into my new position when COVID hit, and my training stopped. I found myself feeling discouraged and thought I might have to switch careers. Then, I stumbled upon The Hoffman Agency, and I felt excited about my future within this organization. The same spark, for the third time, filled my spirit when I met the teams, and I knew this was where I needed to be. I’m excited to continue learning the building blocks and foundational skills of public relations. I look forward to elevating my thought processes, setting goals with my manager and finding a focus within my day-to-day tasks where I excel.
Starting a new job from home and online has been quite an adjustment, but I received a warm welcome to the agency with a new computer, notebook and a succulent to make my home feel like an office. My mid-century modern design writing desk is small, but functional, which I’ve set up in my living room right behind the window. As I continue to adjust to quarantine and WFH life, I’ve found balance in working out, playing tennis and testing new recipes in my free time. I have even created a list of podcasts, articles and courses I’d love to dive into as well. I am very excited to be a part of this agency and I am grateful that my outside of work interests align with my new role within the agency.
