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In honor of Veteran’s Day, we spoke with 360i’s Media Expertise Supervisor Jonathan Ferrer about his profession within the Navy and its affect on his work in Advertising.
Are you able to share with us what led you to a profession within the army, and what your position and expertise was throughout that point?
Since childhood, I at all times had a want for serving within the Navy. Nevertheless, since I used to be first in my household to affix the Navy, it was at all times a thriller to me as I didn’t know anybody who served. My largest understanding of what the Navy was and what they did was from what I had seen on tv and what I realized in class. I used to be at all times amazed how somebody may voluntarily danger their lives to guard and defend their nation, however I knew that I’d be proud to serve my nation in any approach. As well as, my mother and father didn’t have lots to supply us rising up within the South Bronx housing initiatives, so I needed a life the place I may elevate my household out of poverty. I knew that the Navy and faculty would give me that chance to not solely help my household however to additionally create a legacy for the subsequent era.
It was not till the assaults of September 11, 2001 after I knew for a proven fact that I used to be going to affix the Navy. Nevertheless, I’d not be a part of the Military Reserves till 2006, as I needed to attain my affiliate diploma in graphic design from Sullivan County Group Faculty earlier than signing up. On the age of twenty-two, I joined the Military Reserves as a Affected person Administration Specialist. I initially needed to affix as a Multimedia Illustrator, however the position was not out there. Nevertheless, I made a decision to affix anyway as a result of I used to be keen to start my Navy profession.
Fundamental Fight Coaching in Fort Leopard Wooden, Missouri was probably the most helpful experiences I’ve ever been by. I not solely realized the artwork of Navy science, but additionally the significance of teamwork, management, and grit. Even by the hardest of instances, I knew that I may by no means hand over, giving up would imply giving up on myself, my staff, and my management. I knew that I needed to strive my absolute best at every thing, to not solely be a hit for myself, however to even be a hit for my staff.
After finishing Fundamental Fight Coaching and my Navy Occupation Specialty college, I returned to the Bronx to pursue my undergraduate diploma in Graphic Design from Vogue Institute of Expertise and proceed my service as a Specialist within the Military Reserves. It was throughout this time that I additionally met my spouse, as we have been at the identical firm. She remains to be serving within the Military. I used to be known as to energetic responsibility a month after graduating in 2010 and served three years as an Info Expertise Specialist in Fort Dix, NJ, the place I maintained all communications techniques for a Medical Assist Unit. As a result of numerous alternatives energetic responsibility offered, I used to be promoted twice, earned numerous awards for successful Non-Commissioned Officer of the 12 months, incomes Gold within the German Armed Forces Badge for Navy Proficiency (this can be a fight/athletic competitors held by the German Military), and finishing my MBA by American Navy College.
Considered one of my largest achievements within the Military was turning into a Commissioned Officer by finishing Officer Candidate College (OCS) in Fort Benning, GA. After my energetic responsibility tour, I needed to steer Troopers and determined to turn out to be an Officer. In doing so, I needed to undergo one the Military’s largest Commissioning sources, Officer Candidate College, which was most troublesome packages that I’ve ever been by. I used to be challenged in each side of tactical skills, technique, management, and self-management. OCS taught me the significance of being a frontrunner. In OCS and as an Officer, the phrase “Observe Me” is ingrained in our philosophy. Leaders lead from the entrance; in each side of main folks, operations, and your self. We should be the instance of a frontrunner, out and in of uniform, and in each side of your life.
After OCS in 2014, I returned to the Military Reserves as a Sign Officer for the Civil Affairs Firm in Fort Dix, NJ, the place I used to be the Officer in Cost for all IT, voice, sand satellite tv for pc communications for the group. In 2016, I returned to Fort Benning, GA for the chance to attend U.S. Military Airborne College and turn out to be a Paratrooper. As an individual who feared heights, Airborne college was fairly a problem as I needed to soar out of a shifting airplane with all my fight gear and land safely to proceed to mission on land.
In 2018, I had the chance to transition to a brand new group and turn out to be a Public Affairs Officer for an Military Reserve Unit in Fort Totten, NY, which is my present place within the Navy. As a Public Affairs Officer, I am answerable for telling the Military’s story by numerous media channels, press conferences and information broadcasts.
How has your time within the army affected your profession in Advertising? What classes did you’re taking away from these experiences and the way do they apply as we speak? Be at liberty to elaborate and inform your story right here!
Among the many numerous roles and positions I’ve held within the Navy, an important side that affected my profession is my potential to adapt and function in numerous roles and tasks. Service Members are skilled to be taught many various skillsets outdoors of their jobs, reminiscent of anti-terrorism, safety, logistics and upkeep operations to call just a few. That is included in our philosophy as a result of Troopers could also be positioned in a scenario the place we should function with minimal workers/or and assets. Due to this fact, our broad skillset in numerous concentrations can support in sustaining operations in any scenario. In my Navy profession, I’ve held numerous positions outdoors of my subject, reminiscent of a Safety Officer, Anti-Terrorism Officer, Logistics Assist Liaison, medial assist, and Human Sources Specialist. I really feel that these roles helped me turn out to be a greater Officer, as I can lead and operated groups from totally different specialties.
I even have tailored this philosophy in my private life in the direction of my profession in Advertising. Since advertising and marketing is such a broad business that encompasses know-how, social media, branding, media, search, and so forth., I’ve sought out academic programs and volunteered for numerous positions that enabled me to proceed my schooling across the business and likewise make the most of my newly realized stills for non-profit organizations and academic teams. For instance, I acquired school levels and certifications in advertising and marketing technique, social media administration, analytics, web-development, and pictures. I then volunteered as a graphic designer and advertising and marketing supervisor for numerous non-profits such because the Nationwide MS Society, Veterans Connection Inc., and a number of other Christian organizations. I’ve additionally volunteered and held positions as a designer and social media supervisor for academic organizations, reminiscent of Golden Key Honor Society, Mu Kappa Tau – Nationwide Advertising Honor Society and Harvard Extension Pupil Affiliation and Harvard Veterans Alumni Group. These numerous skillsets helped me perceive the general advertising and marketing technique of our purchasers and locations me able the place I may also help them obtain their targets.
How did your position within the army play to your present strengths, and enable you to construct new skillsets?
Being a Commissioned Officer has actually helped me turn out to be a greater chief and enabled me to beat any fears or anxieties that could be current at any given scenario. As nerve-wracking as it’s overseeing a mission, personnel, and property, it is usually rewarding to earn a place of management. It makes me a greater individual realizing that each motion I take and each resolution I make straight impacts one other particular person. As a Navy chief, I wish to be that instance for my Troopers, those that are following me, and people working alongside me. I’d not say that being a frontrunner was an present power, however it’s a skillset that’s growing every day with every resolution I make out and in of uniform.
Inform us extra about your general profession path and the place it’s taken you, each within the army and past. How have the totally different army and civilian roles you’ve performed influenced each your skilled and private outlook?
As an Military Reservist, I’ve a novel alternative to have two essential careers all through my lifetime, one in service to the business and the opposite in service to my neighborhood. Inside my 14 years of service, I’ve been lucky sufficient to have completed each aim I set out in my Navy and civilian careers. Despite the fact that I used to be known as to energetic responsibility after graduating from my graphic design program and was unable to observe it within the business, I’ve been lucky sufficient to embark within the subject of enterprise and advertising and marketing after I pursued my MBA whereas on Lively Obligation. It was a troublesome job pursuing a level whereas on Lively orders, nonetheless I realized a terrific deal about advertising and marketing and its influence within the business, which lead me to pursue a profession on this subject.
As well as, after finishing my MBA, a connection of mine launched me to Harvard College’s persevering with schooling program. I discovered this system intriguing and determined to pursue a grasp’s diploma in digital media design, which I’m inline to graduate in Could 2021. I personally really feel that we’re a product of our environment, so in the event you encompass your self with the appropriate folks, you’ll flourish. The Military has supplied me with the chance to attach with the appropriate folks, has positioned me in the appropriate positions, and has supplied me with new alternatives that I by no means imagined pursuing. I plan to proceed my journey within the Navy and in advertising and marketing, accepting each problem offered to me and studying from my friends and superiors.
What recommendation would you supply to veterans seeking to transition to a profession in advertising and marketing?
My suggestion to any transitioning veteran desirous to get right into a profession in advertising and marketing is to succeed in out to a different veteran who’s working within the business, regardless if them or not. Like many assist networks, whether or not bodily or on-line, there are numerous individuals who wish to assist. I used to be lucky sufficient to get into this profession resulting from a fellow Military Veteran I met on-line who was working in Advert Operations. We met by LinkedIn’s Veteran’s Mentor Community and we mentioned the general business and his expertise in Advert Operations. When a place turned out there in his group, I reached out once more and requested if I can apply. I utilized, interviewed with the staff, and acquired the job a few weeks later. You will need to make these digital connections into actual connections. I imagine that I’d not be within the business as we speak if I’ve not reached out to him on-line after which met him in individual. It was a pivotal second in my profession, and I’m glad we linked and am honored to have him as my mentor as we speak. Since there’s such a terrific worth in mentorship, I’ve joined a number of on-line Veteran teams within the business and thru my universities. I additionally turned a mentor by Veterati, which is a mentorship platform that permits me to mentor different veterans on profession progress and academic alternatives. It was been such an honor to assist others obtain their targets and I make sure that the assistance anybody that reaches out to me.
I really feel that becoming a member of the Navy was top-of-the-line choices I’ve ever made, and it actually has impacted my life for the higher.
Take a look at the next hyperlinks for extra context on the army programs and/or packages talked about within the questions above.
German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCeRWsCGOyQ&t=25s
Officer Candidate College: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LoNRQ-mfRg
Sign Officer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dt3vDf1R1YE
Public Affairs Officer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M43gqs6vUH4
Veterati Profile: https://enter.veterati.com/mentor/public_profile?mid=MR.2ce6e108e7fcf613c242d83a0be9e078
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