How to Hack Your Advertising & Marketing Career

Insights from NextNW’s March 17 Career-Building Hacks Panel

Careers in marketing, creative, and communications rarely follow a straight line.

Some professionals climb the ladder quickly. Others pivot across roles, industries, and specialties before finding the right fit. And increasingly, the skills that mattered five years ago are not the same ones shaping careers today.

That’s exactly why NextNW is bringing together several of the region’s most accomplished marketing leaders for a candid conversation about building and sustaining a career in this fast-moving industry.

On March 17, our Career-Building Hacks panel will explore what hiring managers are really looking for, how professionals can build networks that open real opportunities, and what it takes to stay relevant as technology and job roles continue to evolve.

To preview the conversation, we asked our panelists to weigh in on a few questions from our members. While these topics may surface during the discussion, we expect the panel and audience Q&A to go much deeper.

What Skills Are Actually Getting People Hired Right Now?

The panelists agree on one thing. The definition of a “strong marketing candidate” is changing.

Today’s hiring managers are looking for professionals who can balance creativity with analytical thinking, understand how emerging tools like AI impact the business, and adapt quickly as roles continue to evolve.

But knowing the tools is not enough. Our panelists point out that the professionals standing out today are those who can connect creativity, strategy, and measurable impact.

Exactly what that looks like in practice will be a major topic of discussion during the panel.

The Career Move Many Professionals Overlook

When people think about advancing their careers, they often focus on promotions, job titles, or switching companies.

But many experienced leaders point to a different set of strategies that can accelerate long-term growth. These often involve expanding skills beyond your primary role, building cross-disciplinary knowledge, and staying curious about how the industry is changing.

Our panelists will share the strategic moves they see professionals overlook most often and how those decisions can shape a career over time.

Networking That Actually Opens Doors

Most professionals know networking matters. Fewer know how to do it in a way that genuinely creates opportunity.

Our panelists will discuss how mentorship relationships actually develop, how to build connections before you need them, and why some of the most valuable professional relationships happen outside traditional networking environments.

In an era of remote work and distributed teams, maintaining those connections is becoming even more important.

Staying Relevant as the Industry Evolves

Marketing and creative careers have always evolved alongside technology.

From the shift to digital media to the rise of AI-powered tools, every generation of professionals has had to adapt to new ways of working.

But the panelists suggest that the people who stay relevant are not simply chasing every new trend. Instead, they focus on developing a mindset that allows them to keep learning, experimenting, and evolving throughout their careers.

We’ll explore what that mindset looks like and how professionals can build it over time.

Join the Conversation on March 17

The NextNW Career-Building Hacks panel will feature candid stories, practical insights, and real-world advice from leaders who have built successful careers across agencies, academia, recruiting, and nonprofit organizations.

Expect an honest conversation about hiring trends, mentorship, leadership growth, and navigating change in today’s marketing industry.

Bring your questions. The audience Q&A will give attendees the chance to dive deeper into the issues shaping their own careers.

If you’re looking for practical guidance and fresh perspective on building a marketing career, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

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Grab your tickets today!

Panelists

Marc Moran
Program Director, Advertising Program, Portland State University

Trevor Graves
Co-Founder & President, Nemo Design

Christina Post
Director of Marketing & Communications, Portland Opera

Colleen Finn
Sr. Talent Partner, 52 Limited

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