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NETWORKING FOR SUCCESS

RPTA FOSTERS RELATIONSHIP WITH GEORGE P. JOHNSON, WORLD'S LEADING GLOBAL EVENT AND EXPERIENCE MARKETING AGENCY

By Heidi Reighard (RPTA '14), Staff Writer

By proudly providing excellent customer service and marketing and by "breaking down the walls between clients and their audiences around the world," George P. Johnson (GPJ) is the world's leading global event and experience marketing agency. Founded in 1914, GPJ values the importance of face-to-face connections between its clients and customers and believes personal relationships are a key factor in creating lasting experiences and moving people to action.

Marcelle Hampton is a vice president who has worked at GPJ for nine years. As a Cal Poly alumna, Hampton stayed connected with the school; her son graduated this June as well. "I learned that Cal Poly offered an event planning & management concentration, so I reached out to Bill Hendricks to see if I could post internship opportunities to the department job site," says Hampton. "As a result, we started building the relationship we have now."

The Learn by Doing philosophy is one of the things that attracts companies like GPJ to seek out interns and employees from Cal Poly, and specifically the RPTA department. "All of the interns we have had from Cal Poly come with the important basic business skills, a base understanding of the event industry, and experience from an internship or job," added Hampton. GPJ's internship program requires graduates to have a strong foundation in event planning, execution and wrap up, which is why students from the RPTA department are more than prepared to succeed.

"The events we do and the clients we work with are very diverse. One size does not fit all and so we look for a diverse group of individuals," says Hampton about the kinds of interns GPJ wants. "When we interview a student we are thinking long term. Although we can't hire every intern, we try to understand if this is a long term passion or just an opportunity to finish a graduation requirement." Along with enthusiasm, individual experience and strong communication skills, the company looks to see what kind and how much preparation the student has done for the interview. This shows a commitment to the company and drive on the student's part. "Do some research and understand what our business is and who some of our clients are," advises Hampton.

For those looking for an opportunity to work with this incredible company, Hampton has some additional advice: "Get as much experience as you can…what will differentiate a candidate is their experience." She also emphasizes the importance of maintaining connections with classmates, professors and others. "Remember that the people you are sitting next to in class may be your co-worker, boss or client in the years to come." Just as she stayed connected to Cal Poly and built a relationship with our department, students should value their classmates and their experiences because one day they may help them reach their dream.

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