Who do you want to be when you grow up?

June 22, 2023

You know the inevitable question, "Who do you want to be when you grow up?" First, it's an innocent question typically answered with an unrealistic option like "princess" or "superhero", but eventually adults expect you to have an answer. Somewhere in between reaching for the stars came me actually thinking, researching, and talking to adults about my options.

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I actually had my mind set on being a nurse up until the DAY of my college freshman orientation despite my heavy involvement in our business organization in high school (FBLA). I saw this as me being indecisive, but truly I think I just hadn't had a chance to find myself yet. All through college, I knew that I had chosen the right path for me. Marketing was a chance for me to use my creativity alongside all of my business skills every day. I still hold true to this decision, and I have no regrets, but sometimes I find myself wondering, "What do I want to be when I grow up?" Considering everything from graduate school to online certificates to just moving to the forest and living off of the land, I don't think I'll ever feel like I got it 100% right.

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While this has been scary for me - I have come to realize that not many people (if any) feel completely certain that they made the perfect decision or went down the perfect path. For me, this has been a relief and now my goal is to just consider my happiness where I'm at. Comparisons to hypothetical paths I never took are not helpful for anyone!

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In 2023, my goal is to do what I can to satisfy the who do you want to be when you grow up in the back of my mind, but not to focus too hard on the path not taken.

Recommendations

Kind words from peers, mentors, coworkers, and supervisors throughout my professional journey.

"As a bright, cross-functional marketer, Madison has an "it factor" in how she approaches her work that cannot be taught. She has an impressive attention to detail and a strong blend of creativity, ingenuity, and focus on results. Her organization and love of processes allow her to quickly adapt to and manage multiple projects simultaneously, and she is always pushing herself to learn something new. Madison is truly an asset to any project, team or organization that she is a part of."

Julia Pitlyk

Director, Marketing Technology @ Nestlé,
Former Supervisor @ TCARE

"Madison excelled in her role, particularly in working with our clients to implement and optimize their Google and social media ads. Her proficiency in creating and managing successful campaigns significantly contributed to our clients' business growth and satisfaction. Additionally, Madison's expertise extended to implementing and optimizing CRM and sales automation for our clients, ensuring smooth and efficient processes.Madison's commitment to her work was evident in her punctuality, diligence, and proactive approach. She consistently met deadlines and maintained high-quality standards in all her tasks. Her ability to quickly adapt to new challenges and her enthusiasm for continuous learning allowed her to stay ahead of industry trends and deliver outstanding results.."

Ryan Hall

President @ Beanstalk
Former Senior Colleague

"Working with Madison was such a joy! She is one of the most talented individuals I got the pleasure of working with. Her knowledge and passion for digital marketing was incredibly apparent during our time together. She was often an innovative thinker who would find new and strategic ways to help clients. Additionally, her positive attitude contributed greatly to the work culture and made our office an incredibly enjoyable place to work. Anyone would be lucky to have Madison on their team!"

Lauren Pinkley

Marketing Manager
Former Colleague

"It is with great pleasure I write this recommendation for Madison Rodgers. Maddie truly is a gift and is fantastic to work and collaborate with. I have seen her work with various stakeholders, asking the difficult questions, and staying true to the mission of the project and organization. Daily, I witness how she is able to brighten up a room of her peers with inclusiveness, respect, and empathy. Madison has incredible drive and is always seeking to develop her skills by taking on new challenges at work or educational courses and certifications in her personal time. It has been a joy to work alongside Madison for the past year and believe she would be a value to any company."

Katie Dlubala

Senior Director of Clinical Operations,
Former Senior Colleague

"Madison is a true joy to work with. Everyday she brings with her a huge smile and friendly attitude making the day better for those who work with her. But her hard working ethics, enthusiasm to tackle projects head on, and her self motivation is what shines. Every project that she has produced has been top notch. She takes a lead approach, is mindful to understand the issue and needs of each project, and isn't afraid to speak up or ask questions to get to that final result. She is very detailed oriented, loves to learn and continues to grow her knowledge and is willing to give and take feedback. She works well with teams and independently. I truly enjoy working with Madison and seeing the impact that she has made on clients, co-workers, and community."

Linda Miller

VP Government Programs,
Former Senior Colleague

"For over a year at TCARE, I've had the pleasure of working with Madison on many projects like social media, marketing materials, branding, and so much more! One of her strengths is being able to strategize in her content by simultaneously connecting with people while also communicating value. Madison has been essential to TCARE through her constant hard work and incredible ability to juggle so many things in any circumstance. She is a great leader and always provides guidance wherever she can. I know I can always reach out to her with any problem. Madison has a wide variety of skills, a hard work ethic, and a warm personality that would be the ultimate asset to any team!"

Sydney Morr

Visual Designer,
‍Former Colleague

"I have known Maddie since she was a first-year student at Missouri State University. She served as one of our two Publicity Chairs and she impressed me with not only the quality of the designs she created, but also the caliber of her work ethic and her ability to effectively communicate with the rest of the board. Her ideas and her voice were always resounding, despite being masked as she led the advertising efforts for our community."

Harry Riel

Residence Hall Director,
Former Supervisor

"Maddie has always been a great marketer and designer, that’s easy to see; but the skill she leverages most to rise above her competition has always been her strategic planning. Whether it’s client work, competitive case studies in FBLA, or her impressive portfolio of experience, I’ve witnessed her outthink the problem in endlessly efficient ways. I cannot recommend her enough!"

Ann Raymer

Director of Marketing,
Former Colleague & Classmate

"Madison is an exceptional student leader and creative thinker. She has helped our staff by designing an amazing staff appreciation wall in our lobby as well as many creative flyers, posters, and bulletin boards. Madison is an inspiring person to work with and I would gladly work with her again."

Lucy Petet

Graduate Assistant,
Former Colleague & Classmate