Briefly describe your job.
My job title is Marketing Manager in the Siemens Telecommunications Alliance Marketing Group.  This group's mission is to explore alliances with other large global companies to market Siemens products.   My job is to manage all of the marketing programs for three Siemens partners.  I arrange trade shows, technology seminars, on line webinars.  I also prepare marketing materials, customer presentations and informational papers and product portfolio brochures and news releases.  This requires a very good knowledge of our products and the ability to present the advantages and capabilities of those products to potential business partners.

How long have you been working in this field?
For six years including five internships.   

When and how did you decide to choose this career?
I started out in electrical engineering.  I really like engineering, but I have always liked the marketing side of technology.  My real first job was coordinating all of the marketing programs for the housing department of Georgia Tech where I attended school. Technical marketing offered me the opportunity to combine my love of engineering with my love of marketing.  I have always been a people person.  I was a resident advisor in College and vice-president and founder of the Georgia Tech cricket club.  I was a secretary and graduate vice president for the India club.  These jobs required me to do event planning and other marketing activities which was good experience for my present job.

What education and training did you receive before entering your field?
I have a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Electrical and Computer Engineering and a Certificate in International Business from Georgia Institute of Technology.   I also did five full-time and one part-time internships with two different companies: Motorola and Siemens.  One of my internships was with Siemens in Munich, Germany.   And as I mentioned earlier, my college extracurricular activities were also good training for my current job.   I plan to pursue a MBA soon.

How did you begin OR what was your first job in the field?
My first job when I graduated was in Software Development with Siemens in San Jose, California.  I was in development for one year.  I moved into marketing in February 2006.  I have been in the technical marketing field since then.  

Describe a typical day on the job?
My team members and colleagues are located in different locations – both in the US and internationally. We do a lot of our work by email and conference calls.  The marketing projects encompass several teams within the company so we have to manage and coordinate very well. I start my day by prioritizing my projects, reading and responding to email, and then working on the marketing deliverables – ranging from planning events, developing corporate messaging, creating external newsletters and presentations, strengthening our online communication, and designing marketing materials such as brochures and web site information.  The days are busy and long.  I also do a lot of business travel, both in US and Europe, for training and meeting with my team members.

What do you like most about what you do?
Marketing is a central function and requires constant coordination with different functional teams in the company. I enjoy interacting and collaborating with colleagues in other countries who bring diverse experiences and educational background.  I like the creativity and the chance to do something new every day.  The projects change quickly and I work on a diverse set of products.  It's a lot of pressure to deliver but fun.  It requires me to work on several projects at the same time. One of the things I learned in college was to manage my time and multi-task.  I am often faced with a blank piece of paper and an idea.  I get a tremendous amount of satisfaction creating something from the idea, whether it is a brochure, presentation or a product marketing plan.

What has been the most rewarding experience so far in your career?
With Siemens, I received the opportunity to work in different functions (research & development, product management, sales, marketing) and in various locations in the US and abroad. I found the exposure to such diverse opportunities most rewarding so far.  The international internship in Germany was the most enriching experience.   

What do you like least about your job?
Marketing is very dynamic and pressure-packed.  The schedule for most of the marketing projects is very aggressive and unexpected additional tasks crop up all the time.  Even though I am good at working under pressure, it is mentally draining at times. 

What would you like to say to someone considering this career?
A strong product knowledge is very important in technical marketing.  Anyone who enters this field should focus on the education.  And anyone who wants to go into marketing should be a very strong self-learner.  They will be in an ever-evolving field.  Marketing never stands still.   They should align their education with any businesses or industries they are interested in pursuing.  And, I can't stress how important internships are.

What are the most important personal and professional skills necessary to succeed in your field?
Telecommunications is a very dynamic industry. I have to stay abreast with the ever-changing technological advances and understand the market well.  In marketing, this requires good writing skills, really good communication skills, excellent organizational and project management skills, and ability to work with a diverse team.  You also need to be able to multi-task and work under pressure.  Basically, marketing is a creative field.  It is the art of business.  It is an enabling function.  And, as silly as this may sound, anyone entering the marketing field should take a typing course.  I do a huge amount of writing.

What would a person interested in entering this field have to do to get a good job in it?
I would recommend courses that relate to the industry that most interest you (telecommunications, biotechnology, financial, software, etc.). This will help build credibility when you apply for a job in that particular industry. Cooperative education (Coop) and relevant internships are invaluable. Building good writing and communication skills are important as well.   It gave me the opportunity to gain some really marketable experience...and to decide if I really wanted to do this as a career.  Finally, internships gave me the opportunity for an extended job interview, which ultimately resulted in my first job. 

What could someone who is interested in this field do to learn more about it right now?
Take management and science/engineering classes; enroll in writing and public speaking courses; join a local company that offers part-time internships; and attend seminars and workshops organized by clubs such as American Marketing Association and IEEE.  Get involved.  Marketing is not a low profile occupation.  It is for outgoing people. 

Is there any general advice you would like to offer to students on making a career choice or on work life itself?
I strongly recommend joining your college’s cooperative education program or an internship program. Find opportunities that challenge you and provide you with experience in new areas. Pursue rotations in different functional areas, join different teams and work in other locations. Explore study abroad or work abroad possibilities to gain a new perspective and to get better equipped in an environment that has truly become globalized. Good Luck!