Jackson Paul, a 2019 Middlebury College graduate, details his journey from an international politics and economics undergrad background to pursuing a Master of Marketing at the Wisconsin School of Business. Just a couple years out of undergrad is when Jackson realized his passion for marketing and began exploring how he could build a career in the field. Continue reading to hear more about Jackson’s journey as he navigates marketing MBA experiences with independence and an open mind.
A Winding Journey
I graduated from Middlebury College in 2019 with a degree in international politics and economics. Coming from a small liberal arts school in Vermont, I didn’t study business in the traditional sense. Instead, I built a foundation in critical thinking, a global perspective, and analytical reasoning. At the time, I wasn’t exactly sure where that would lead me, and my early career reflects that.
After undergrad, I started out in legal sales. From there, I transitioned into SaaS (Software as a Service) and later spent time working as an entrepreneur. On paper, it might look like a winding road. But in reality, each step helped me determine what I was really looking for. A few years out of college is when I realized that my interests were strongest in marketing, particularly the strategic side of brand building and consumer engagement. That realization ultimately led me to pursue my MBA at the Wisconsin School of Business.
A Thoughtful Decision
In the years leading up to my MBA I did plenty of reflection and research regarding potential career paths. Consulting was an option I considered but ultimately ruled it out. I really value a work-life balance, and I wanted to pursue a career where I felt I was genuinely interested in the subject matter. Banking and finance were also a brief consideration, but they never truly clicked for me, and that’s when I decided on marketing.
Marketing stood out to me as a dynamic and challenging field. It offered the opportunity to flex both my creative and analytical muscles – a balance I had yet to find in my previous roles. Brand management specifically appealed to me as it sits at the intersection of strategy, storytelling and consumer insight.
When considering industries, I’ve been especially curious about sectors where consumer understanding and brand strategy play a large role. Areas like consumer goods and food have always interested me because they involve products people interact with every day, but my broader goal has always been to build strong marketing and brand-building skills that can translate across industries.
My connection to Wisconsin was due to a rather spontaneous weekend trip to Madison while I was living and working in Chicago. After a quick trip, I found that I immediately loved the city of Madison. So, when it came to applying to programs, Wisconsin felt like an obvious choice. The Wisconsin Marketing MBA, especially through the MLI, offered a focused, hands-on learning experience and a strong sense of community. I knew that the combination of these factors would help me build the skills needed to pursue a career in marketing.
The MLI Experience
Starting my MBA, I felt confident in the direction I was going in. The MLI provided an especially helpful environment where I could surround myself with those who shared similar career goals. My class is extremely tight-knit, and I’ve really valued the diversity of perspectives that everyone brings. We spend a lot of time together academically and socially, allowing us to support one another as well as challenge each other.
One of the most impactful parts of my experience at the MLI has been exposure to employers. Networking sessions and speaker/company events have given me meaningful time to interact with experienced professionals in the field. These experiences were especially insightful considering they allowed me to look beyond the information that is provided by traditional recruiting processes. I was able to better understand the company culture at large companies, their day-to-day work and the options for long-term career paths within the industry.
Alumni programming has also been truly valuable. Hearing from graduates who went through the same process as us current students and are now thriving in roles makes the path feel more tangible and motivating. It helps to reinforce the idea that leaning into the experience here at UW really does set you up for success.
My Advice for Students
If I were to give advice to MBA students, or business students in general, it would be this: be genuine.
Much of the business world comes down to relationships. Be someone people would like to work with. Be approachable, open-minded, genuine, and receptive to feedback. Many of the opportunities you encounter will come through the connections you foster and the reputation you build throughout your career.
For me, this journey has been about independence, clarity of direction, and remaining open to growth along the way. My path hasn’t been linear, but every step has sharpened my perspective and helped me to grow as a professional.