Jolene Sherwood, Hope '11
Meet Hope College alumna Jolene Sherwood, whose path from Hope College took her through various states and jobs before returning to West Michigan where she is a Sr. Marketing Manager at CQL Corporation.
How did Hope College set you up for success in your field?
“Hope College set me up in the field of marketing, by allowing me to pursue a double major in English and Communications. They also provided great extracurricular activities like The Anchor (Which I worked at 3 1/2 of my 4 years at Hope) and as a videographer for the sports programs - kick-starting my passion for broadcasting and video editing. The combination of english and communications allowed me to broaden my skills for both content management and communication strategies within the marketing field.”
How did you get from Hope College to where you are now?
“I had a long journey from Hope College to where I am now. I started right out of college as a News Producer and Reporter at 9and10 News in northern Michigan. I was there for two years before I moved to Ocala Florida with my now-husband, Jack. In Ocala I worked as a Finance Staff Coordinator, where I worked on financial audits, RFP's and Grants for The Villages Community Development Districts. After a year, we moved back to the midwest (thank the Lord because the weather was way too hot for my taste) and I took a position as a Consultant for a fundraising agency in Illinois, Douglas Shaw and Associates (DSA). After working for DSA just over 3 years, I really developed a love for marketing and using my content management talents. I took everything I learned and ventured out for a Director role. I took the leap and became the Director of Marketing (DM) for a mid-size home builder in Burr Ridge, IL, Beechen & Dill Homes. As the DM I sharpened my skills in paid/search advertising, website building, and public relations. However, I always wanted to use these skills back home, in Michigan, where my family and closest friends still live. I took the position of Marketing Manager for CQL Corp. in Grand Rapids and have been there for almost a year now. From Hope College around the U.S. and back to the west side of MI - it's a dream come true.”
What is your favorite part of your career?
“My favorite part about my career is collaboration and creativity. I work with so many teams that specialize in their craft: SEO, SEM, front-end development, software architects, UX & UI designers, etc. I love learning about their skills and working with them to create something special and unique. I also love the creative aspect of my field. I have always had a passion for writing, and making ideas come to fruition. At CQL, I have that freedom and a great team to support me.”
Thank you, Jolene, for sharing your experience from Hope College to where you are today!