Our alumni spotlight this week is Isabella Sabino, who graduated from Fordham in May with a major in Digital Tech & Emerging Media and a minor in marketing. During her undergrad, she participated actively in The Mimes and Mummers, New Student Orientation, Pedro Arrupe Volunteers, FLASH Magazine, and MODE Magazine, and led the Dance Co-Op (President), The Fordham Club, Alpha Sigma Nu, Lambda Pi Eta, Phi Kappa Phi, and Phi Beta Kappa in various roles. Currently, she is working at The Sasha Group, a VaynerX company, as a Post-Creative Strategist in Hudson Yards, NYC.
How did you find this opportunity? Is it related to your major?
This opportunity is related to my major and minor. I was a Digital Technology and Emerging Media major, so a lot of my classes focused on what’s happening in social spaces and culture and how technology has shaped the way that we think and act. Then I had a double minor in Marketing and Film and TV. Marketing gave me a business background and experience in looking at consumer behaviors and analyzing what they mean. I also took Film and TV to learn production value and tools. Being a Post-Creative Strategist is very nice because it encompasses social, marketing, and content creation which is holistically what my major and minors taught me! I received this opportunity through networking with my father. My father was an intern many years ago and formed a connection with someone who became the president of The Sasha Group. As my father kept in touch with this person throughout the last 20+ years, I was able to connect with the President and then also other people in the company to discuss different ways and apply to be able to be part of the agency!
What are/were you most nervous/excited about as you start(ed)?
When I began my internship and residency, which turned into my full-time position as a Post-Creative Strategist, I was most excited about having a position that allowed me to be hands-on with other team members at my agency but with the client and the brand itself. As a Post-Creative Strategist, I run my clients’ social media; I brief the client and our creative team on trends, create reports based on brand strategy, and then overall see what is happening in culture and how we could apply it to the clients and accounts. I was really excited to be “in the weeds” — speaking to the consumers on behalf of the brand and seeing what’s resonating with consumers on social media. I was nervous about keeping up with the fast-paced marketing. Social moves at the speed of light, so timelines, creation, ideation, and execution happen quickly. Social is ever-changing, so being a strategist meant adjusting my mindset and insight formation. As I adapted to my role, the fast pace became exhilarating, keeping me on my toes and each day unique.
What were your most valuable resources at Fordham?
My most valuable resource at Fordham was my professors, especially my Gabelli School of Business marketing professors. Many of my teachers had valuable insights into the top marketing companies in the New York City area, what roles and offerings these companies had, and different ways of networking with those within companies to secure positions. Many of my professors had previously worked at some major corporations and were valuable for my future career, so just creating those intimate connections with my professors opened up many doors.
Did you do internships during your time as an undergrad?
Yes, I completed three internships and one residency program at Fordham. The summer going into my junior year, I was a Social Media Intern at Arts Management Magazine (NextGen). Then, in the fall of my junior year, I was a Community Management and Engagement Intern at 1Atelier. Then, the summer going into my senior year, I was a Client Partnerships and Brand Strategy Intern at The Sasha Group. In the fall of my senior year, I became a Post-Creative Strategist Resident at The Sasha Group (residency is a more rigorous, hands-on version of an internship), which I continued until graduation. Then, I became a full-time Post-Creative Strategist upon graduation.
What advice would you give others for the job search and application process?
I would say my biggest piece of advice is to trust the process. I think it’s easy for seniors or other college students to compare themselves to others and think that we’re meant to get our “forever” job directly after graduation — which is just not true. The first job you receive after college is perfect for getting your foot in the door and seeing what you like. Try something new, try something unexpected. See what you like and don’t like, experiment with what kind of jobs are out there and what you would be interested in doing, and go from there! Take a deep breath because it will all be okay!
In general, what are your future career goals?
I love working in the strategy department, so right now my future career goals are just all about expanding my learnings and expanding my experience with different clients. I primarily work on beauty brands and other skincare/self-care brands so I would love to expand into different types of clients!
Fun fact or anything else you want to share!
My company did the Ice Spice Starry Super Bowl commercial!
