Communication Management student jump-starts his career

Jeremiah Tjossem was always a communicator. His love of the spoken and written word led him to a dual bachelor’s degree in English and History.

But at age 25, he found himself without the professional credentials and experience to put those degrees to use. He was bartending in Durango, CO, and struggling to figure out what to do with his life.
When the pandemic hit, Tjossem resolved to do whatever it took to build a career with greater stability and satisfaction.

“I didn’t want to bartend the rest of my life,” he said. “I really wanted to try to do something I could use my education with, something more in line with my goals.”

Tjossam chose DU’s University College because of its high-quality programs and career-relevant online degrees. He decided to pursue a master’s degree in Communication Management, with a concentration in Marketing Communications.

Putting New Marketing Knowledge to Work

Once in Denver, he landed a job as a venue sales associate at the Denver Botanic Gardens, and was quickly able to put his graduate studies into practice. He had learned how to draft content calendars and communications plans, and was able to use those at his job.

“I showed the marketing director what I had created, and the director was shocked that someone at my level was able to do that,” he said.

His instructor in Social Media Strategy, Victoria O’Malley, says that’s the whole idea: courses designed to equip anyone—from current marketing professionals to those just breaking into the field—with concrete skills and useful insights.

“The value of University College is that students can actually apply what they’re learning and make a direct impact right away,” O’Malley said. “You see the ROI on your education immediately.”

“It’s just so practical,” agreed Tjossem. He’s now fielding job offers and has been successfully working with the marketing team at the Botanic Gardens to meet sales goals. He credits University College with helping him find a path that applies his communicator’s mind to a fulfilling career.

“That’s what University College can do.”