Jordan Katz MCM’23 recently earned the Master of Communication with a focus in Corporate Purpose and Social Impact. Based near Cleveland, Ohio, Katz focuses on growth marketing, talent, and brand engagement, and real estate-based initiatives. He graduated in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in political science and political communication from the University of Delaware, and from there transitioned to an internship and assistant account executive role in New York City with Edelman Public Relations, where he served on some consumer brand-focused teams. He picks up there to share what led him to pursue his graduate degree at SC&I and offers excellent advice to those considering the program.

SC&I: What can you tell us about your early career experiences?

JK: The experience at Edelman was invaluable. After Edelman, I spent nearly five years with a smaller boutique brand and talent marketing agency where we brokered and created celebrity and influencer brand marketing campaigns and endorsements for various brand and talent entities. We worked on social media marketing deals, experiential brand events across the country, and other appearances, engagements, and commercial opportunities for recognizable talent and other key opinion leaders. After those opportunities, I worked as a consultant for certain brand partnership opportunities at other brands and smaller agencies and have also worked in recruiting and internal and external growth management for a recruiting firm and a real estate agency.

SC&I: What’s led you to round out your education with a master’s in communication and media from SC&I?

JK: After some of my early career experience, I wanted a new challenge and an opportunity to further my communication skill set and refine and expand upon the communication skills that are necessary from a business perspective. I knew that a master’s degree from Rutgers would help with these priorities and give me an advantage as I continue to grow in my career and look for new challenges and opportunities.

SC&I: What projects are you focusing on recently?

JK: Most recently, I pursued a venture with a few local offices as a growth and talent manager and assistant team leader at a national real estate company. I focus on internal and external people management as well as growth strategies and internal and external communication. I'm also looking to serve as a consultant and independent contractor when it comes to helping local businesses and organizations with certain business development-based initiatives as well as with hiring effectively and managing internal employees and individuals most efficiently. I am also in the process of receiving my Real Estate License to start my own business and become a licensed Realtor. 

SC&I: What challenges and inspires you?

JK: I'm challenged by the changing and various types of businesses I've been working with in a wide range of industries and disciplines and am always excited about learning new skills and diving deeper into a business entity that I am not as familiar with. My focus is to bring transferable communication and growth-related skills to any organization I am associated with, learn as much as I can, and help with overall strategy and growth policies. 

SC&I: How are you using the knowledge you gained through the Corporate Purpose and Social Impact specialization?

JK: The focus on Corporate Purpose and Social Impact helped me improve upon my communication skills in various ways. From refining my writing, verbal, and business communication skills via multiple communication platforms, to focusing on how organizations communicate and run effectively, to corporations and businesses' role in the greater society at large from a nonprofit-focused perspective have all given me various and substantive insights into how to be the best leader and communicator possible.

SC&I: What classes had the most impact on you?

JK: I really enjoyed the organizational leadership and organizational communication classes I was a part of, as well as the ePortfolio class with Leo Bottary. Also, my classes with MCM Program Director and Teaching Professor Richard Dool were invaluable, as both professors brought their own personal business and CEO perspectives and acumen to their courses. Hearing and learning from those who have national and global management and CEO experience was extremely vital to my graduate studies.

SC&I: What would be helpful information for current and prospective students?

JK: Dive in and be as present as possible when it comes to lecture sessions and discussion-based work. Listen to everyone's perspectives and learn how to agree and disagree effectively. Respect every professor and classmate even if you don't agree with their sentiment or opinions, but don't be afraid to challenge certain perspectives respectively and look to make sense of notions with which you may not agree. Put your best foot forward as often as you can and be honest and accountable with each professor you have. Also, be aware that it is okay if you are having an off day week or month—try to stay focused and be mindful of that as often as possible and consult with your professors as needed. The program director and the leadership staff are extremely available and take the time to listen to students' needs and help them with their professional and personal initiatives. Don't be shy to reach out or explain if something isn't working well for you or if you're having problems with a project or assignment. The staff are flexible if you are honest and show a work ethic that exemplifies that you care and are putting in the work. It is important to realize as well that this program can certainly be done while working a full-time or part-time job and should help supplement that job and provide you with unique and powerful practical information and ideas that you can test and utilize in real-time in your professional career. Your master’s should be viewed as an evergreen and constantly evolving opportunity and certification that allows you to dive into how you can be the best version of yourself both personally and professionally.

Image: Jordan Katz