How This Temple Student Found Her Post-Grad Fit at Garfield Group

By Maya Beauvoir

Hannah Simon was an advertising major with a minor in public relations at Temple University before she was thrust into the chaotic post-grad job hunt. She graduated in May 2019 and continued with an internship at the Karma Agency until December 2019. 

Even though she has finally settled at Garfield Group as an associate account executive, she didn’t get this far without a few bumps, rejections, and challenges along the way. But Simon believes that her confidence and trust in the universe are what helped her keep her head up high. 

Check out our interview with Simon for some tips on rejection, navigating post-graduate life, and advice on how to stay positive while searching for a job. 

Disclaimer: This interview has been condensed and edited for style and length.

Maya Beauvoir: Do you think Temple prepared you to seek employment after graduation? 

Hannah Simon: Yes! As a student of Klein College of Media and Communication, they gave so many resume workshops, career fairs, and advising sessions––all based around our post-grad job hunt. In addition to that, many of the professors were amazing resources that were dedicated to our future success. For example, two of my professors are now my mentors who have helped me refine my resume and got me some interviews. It’s also a requirement for all media students to complete an internship before they graduate, and that’s definitely something that I needed on my resume for the future.

MB: Were there any rejections that impacted you emotionally?

HS: There weren’t any rejections that bothered me––I’m a strong believer in, “if it’s for me, then I’ll have it.” If a job didn’t want me, that means I wasn’t meant to be there. But one interviewing experience that affected me emotionally was when I went in for a job interview with a company that framed an in personal sales position as a ‘marketing assistant’ job. I felt like I had really wasted my time, but it taught me to do some intense company research before heading into any interview in the future. 

MB: How did you deal with being rejected from jobs or not hearing back after applying?

HS: Honestly, I took it all in stride. Of course, it was frustrating and there were some days where I felt like the job search would never end. But really what helped was knowing the statistics of my field. I was an advertising major and my field is extremely competitive. So, it’s not abnormal for the job search to take a few months, and in my case, a year out from when I originally started looking for full-time positions. I took advantage of my time while looking. I held an internship, networked, and built my personal brand during my search. There’s always room for improvement, so I kept to that theme and continuously improved upon what I already had. 

MB: How did you get your current job?

HS: My current job was a mix of who I know and what I know. I knew a guy, who knew a guy, who knew a guy, that referred me for my position. Once they called me in for an interview and got to take a better look at my capabilities, they offered me the position officially. 

MB: How did networking play a role in attaining your position?

HS: Networking is the primary reason that I have a job, and it’s not only via my connection to my current job. Networking also helped me refine my resume and gain insight into an industry that I’m just entering. I think that a lot of people see networking as only useful to get a job, and it is one of the great ways to find one. But it’s also just an awesome way to build professional relationships outside of any potentially beneficial interactions. 

MB: How did you transition from having an internship to a full-time job at the agency?

HS: Once I decided to move on from my internship, I was on the market for about two months looking for work and I freelanced during that time. Transitionally, everything that I learned at my internship plays a huge role in how I navigate my current position and responsibilities; so the transition has been quite seamless. The primary difference is that I have my own set of clients that I’m responsible for now, as opposed to the supportive role I previously held. 

MB: What advice would you give to other Black women entering their professional career?

HS: Be prepared to bring your A-game. Figure out who you are so that you can play to your strengths. Learn your weaknesses, so that they don’t hinder you. Be proactive as opposed to reactive as much as possible. Compete with yourself and always strive to be your best. 

MB: What parting advice do you have for recent and soon-to-be Temple grads?

HS: Make yourself as marketable as possible, no matter your major. Have your LinkedIn set up, your resume and a cover letter base model prepared, be ready to face some rejection, and try to maintain a positive attitude.

Cover image courtesy of Hannah Simon