Switching lanes from healthcare to the boardroom, Marissa Castro, a junior at La Salle University, is shaking up her career trajectory, swapping out her nursing scrubs for a power suit in the world of marketing and media, as La Salle University's news reports. Castro's initiation into nursing was short-lived when the lure of creativity and strategy in marketing caught her attention, she recalls, "I originally joined La Salle as a nursing major, but something just didn’t feel right," in an interview obtained by La Salle University News, "I’ve always liked the business side of things, and when I explored different majors, marketing stood out.
Castro's pivot was more than a mere change in major; it encompassed a widening of her skill set with a minor in media skills, encompassing videography and media writing, activities that ignite her passion this broadening of horizons comes on top of her primary studies in marketing. She mentions in the La Salle University News, "Media skills cover videography, media writing, and other aspects of communication that really interest me." Her newfound direction led her straight into the arms of Communication Solutions Group in Jenkintown, Pa, following a fated encounter during La Salle’s Networking Night where she connected with Kellie Francello and Jessica Lis from the woman-owned firm, which ultimately offered her an internship as a marketing intern.
Her portfolio of media work, critical in securing her the position, was honed with the help of La Salle’s Business Professionalism and Career Prep course, a resource she credits with much of her application process success, Castro heralds the support from her instructor, Kathy Finnegan who she describes as "incredibly helpful," as La Salle University News informs, "Professor Finnegan was incredibly helpful, from perfecting my resume to guiding me through follow-up emails after Networking Night."
At the helm of various projects ranging from social media content for the La Salle Dance Team to client-driven assignments for non-profits and emergency service providers, every working day brings a fresh challenge for Castro, who juggles filming for school districts, creating firefighter trivia for social platforms, and eagerly looks forward to acquiring new skills such as mastering Adobe Premiere Pro, these hands-on experiences solidify her conviction in the marketing field as she affirmed, "I now know this is something I want to do," per La Salle University News, "It’s a career path I’m excited to pursue."
As the current social media face for the university’s Dance Team and an avid dancer herself, Castro is no stranger to multitasking, her advice to her peers is to embrace opportunities with open arms. She encourages her fellow students at La Salle, championing the wealth of available opportunities, saying, "Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. La Salle offers so many opportunities that people don’t always take advantage of. I used to think I had too much on my plate, but once I started saying yes to things, I realized how much I was learning and growing," Castro told La Salle University News, championing the proactive pursuit of growth and the embracement of challenges that come along the way.
