New to CNA’s Marketing, Communications and Recruitment Team is Marketing Specialist, Samantha Fitzpatrick.
Originally from Piccadilly, NL, Samantha joined the college in April 2021 while everyone was still working remotely during a Public Health lockdown due to the pandemic.
“Starting a new job from home during a pandemic had its challenges, but everyone has been incredibly welcoming and supportive,” she said.
Currently working out of Ridge Road campus in St. John’s, Samantha says her role primarily focuses on research.
“It is my job to develop marketing strategies and provide recommendations based on market research,” she said. “I follow industry trends and analyze our own data and insights to determine how we can better connect with students (both prospective and current), alumni and other stakeholders.”
She says her flair for creativity and attention to detail make her an ideal match for this role.
“I’ve always had a flair for the creative, but I’m also a planner,” she said. “When searching for jobs, I was looking for positions that allowed me to be both in more-or-less equal measure; more and more, I found myself doing marketing and communications work, because it’s one of those spaces where creativity meets strategy — in other words, it fits me perfectly.”
Samantha has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Memorial University of Newfoundland, followed by an Office Administration Certificate from CNA’s Prince Phillip Drive campus. She is currently completing a certificate in Digital Marketing – Web Applications at Concordia University. Previously, she’s also studied Copywriting, User Experience Design and Web Design & Development.
When the Marketing Specialist position came along, she applied for and was happy to accept it.
“I’m a CNA alum and I look back on my time as a student fondly,” she said. “What I remember most are the relationships I made during my program. I’d like to think that now, as an employee, I can help others find that same sense of community I found as a CNA student.”
She said she her time at CNA was both rewarding and fun.
“My classmates and I spent a lot of time in between classes playing ping pong in the gym, singing ridiculous songs in the cafeteria during lunch, and adventuring together off-campus,” she said. “Likewise, my instructors were always there for me, Cheryl Coles and Nichole Kirkland are two that stand out as having been particularly encouraging.”
When she is not working, she spends her free time reading and sketching.
“Portraits are my favourite to draw but sketching in general is great for stress relief,” she said.
She has she highly recommends CNA and offers some words of advice to those considering pursuing a career in marketing.
“Marketing changes constantly; stay on your game by reading up on the latest industry trends; familiarizing yourself with new platforms and technology; and, connecting with others in the field, particularly those in your specific industry,” she said. “If possible, choose jobs where you
can market something you believe in or are passionate about. You’ll enjoy your work more when you ca
n stand behind it. Finally, explore your options! Not every marketing job looks the same and not every marketer has to be an extrovert, contrary to popular belief.”
By Ryanne McIsaac
