|
Some people stumble into marketing. Others, like Professor Kelly Herd, find themselves drawn to it by instinct and stay captivated by the blend of creativity, strategy, and human behavior.
“I’ve been interested in marketing for as long as I can remember,” Professor Herd shares. Originally pursuing journalism, she found herself captivated by a different corner of the communication world after taking a few mass communication courses. “As soon as I learned about marketing and public relations, I was hooked. It felt like the perfect mix of psychology, business, and storytelling.” That confluence of skills is exactly what Professor Herd now helps her students understand. Professor Herd encourages them to build portfolios, chase hands-on experience, and pay attention to what makes people tick. “Marketing requires such a unique skill set. You need to be a strong writer, understand people, and be comfortable with data. That’s what makes it so exciting, especially right now with technology shifting how we connect with audiences.”
So what’s her biggest piece of advice for someone just starting out? Don’t wait to be “qualified.” Just start, and build your portfolio. “Ask yourself if there are clubs, nonprofits, or small businesses around you that need help sharing their message or building an audience. Use what you’re learning in class and apply it to the real world. That’s how you grow.” Staying current in a fast-paced industry is part of Professor Herd’s routine too. She listens to marketing podcasts, bookmarks articles, and pulls inspiration from media, LinkedIn, and even her students. “I bring new trends and real-world examples into class all the time. Some end up in assignments or slides, but a lot just come up in conversations and are vetted and expanded upon by student input. Students bring in what’s trending, and we unpack it together. I learn so much from them.”
Professor Herd’s most memorable moments don’t come from the articles she’s published or accolades. Her most memorable moments come from former students who reach out years later to say, “That one class, that one lesson, it made a difference.” That, she says, is the greatest reward. While Professor Herd has been recognized in publications and honored for her teaching, she keeps the focus on what matters. “These awards show me that the way I teach is meaningful, but my research and course topics are always rooted in what I think will help students grow and stay curious.”
One area she’s especially passionate about is social responsibility in business. “Marketers have so much power to shape decisions and create impact. I’m so proud that UConn is leading the conversation around ethical and socially responsible business practices. These are the conversations that shape future leaders.”
Outside the classroom, Professor Herd finds balance in movement and nature. Whether she’s skiing with her family, biking on the weekends, or hopping on the Peloton, she finds joy in staying active. “And I love to cook and read. It’s all about slowing down and being present.”
At the heart of everything she does, whether it’s teaching, researching, or just listening, is a clear belief: marketing is about people. When you lead with curiosity, empathy, and purpose, the impact reaches far beyond the classroom.
Thank you Professor Herd for sharing your beautiful philosophy about life, teaching, and the world of marketing.
|
