by Sheryl-Ann Thomas, Communications Intern, Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling
Irish playwright, socialist, and a
co-founder of the London School of Economics, George Bernard Shaw once said, “Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about
creating yourself.” That’s a declaration
that sums up the driving force behind what I do and answers the age old
question of, “Who am I?”
I am a Jamaican who recently completed my studies at Emerson
College for the MA in Global Marketing Communications and Advertising. I enjoy
planning sessions and collaborating with teams to brainstorm and identify
unique opportunities for whichever organization am working with. Research is the
key component of any successful organization and a task that I am passionate
about through the influence of my mother, who is an information archivist and
historian. It is the greatest feeling for me when I have identified
opportunities, due to insightful research, formulized a strategy, executed it
and then ticked it from my “TO DO LIST.”
Have I forgotten to mention the fun stuff? My favourite place
is the beach and I enjoy swimming and kicking “butt” in Scrabble and Taboo.
As I go through life, I set goals, I aspire and I dream. My
dream is simply to be Sheryl-Ann Thomas, global marketing communications
consultant with a base in my native Jamaica. In preparation for this career, I have pursued undergraduate
studies in mass communications, in addition to my minor in Spanish. My background
as a Radio Intern at Love FM, in Jamaica, has strengthened my understanding of
the use of electronic media in marketing communications process.
My previous experience
as an Account Executive, where I implemented
an aggressive advertising campaign for DovesGo (resulting in 30% increase in
clientele), and other radio advertising events at NCU FM radio, have
influenced a deep interest in marketing communications, especially for small
businesses. These small organizations are expected to successfully compete in
the global market place. I continue my involvement
with these organizations, while learning more about the workings of marketing
communication within a global context and within this innovative city of
Boston.
Since being here in
the US, I have been able to work with large brands such as Daimler AG and
Carbonite Backup to develop integrated marketing strategies to identify
business opportunities within the US market. Additionally, I have been able to
interact at academic conferences and networking events with professionals in
other disciplines such as Politics, Finance and Sociology to view the world
from a slightly different angle (Less poster boards with crayons and more
academic research).
After returning to
Jamaica, I plan to work as a Global Marketing Communications Consultant for
large local organizations with an international reach such as Digicel, Scotia
Group Jamaica Limited and Grace Jamaica Limited and for the Jamaican government.
My long-term career goals include working as a positive catalyst in the
improvement of the brand Jamaica initiative, developed by the Government of
Jamaica, in collaboration with the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica
(PSOJ). This initiative aims to increase Jamaica’s marketability through public
policy and identifying this island as the place of choice to invest. However, I
intend to create aggressive Brand Jamaica sub projects, particularly in
tourism, sports and education, pooling together not only large public and
private venture capital partnerships, but the “small man’s” marketing needs.
For the next 10 weeks
I will be able to apply my previous work experience and classroom knowledge
here at the Mass Council, while learning about this organization and the services
it provides to the Commonwealth. Though there are several responsibilities that
have been assigned to me, I am by no means intending to limit myself to them.
Let’s see who I’ll create while being here at Massachusetts Council on
Compulsive Gambling. Who knows, I may create a whole new me.
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