WSUM Workshop: Strategic Communications Careers after College Radio

Sunday, February 20, 2022 at 11 a.m. CST on Zoom 

Hosted by Qi Gu and Ashley Watkins

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Working in college radio is a great way to develop transferable skills that you can take with you into almost any field. From digital media and marketing to executive communications, learn about how your skills might translate into a career in strategic communications. Hear from WSUM alumni Qi Gu and Ashley Watkins about how college radio prepared them for their fascinating careers at Omnicom Group and United Airlines. 

Qi Gu graduated from UW-Madison with a double major in Journalism and Economics. A passion for storytelling and a curious mind led her into the field of digital marketing, where learning is never ending. She is a Global Director of Integration and Digital Transformation at Omnicom Media Group. This has given her a great opportunity to empower teams worldwide and accelerate the journey from ideas to outcomes. When not swimming in the data lakes of advertising, Qi loves measuring the world one trip at a time. 

Ashley Watkins is Senior Manager of Strategic Planning and Executive Communications at United Airlines, amplifying the company's shared purpose of “Connecting people. Uniting the world.” Previously, Ashley spent over a decade in Telecommunications – serving in various roles, from sales and marketing to operations communications at U.S. Cellular. Ashley majored in Communication Arts and Philosophy, graduating from UW-Madison in 2008. She also held the Music Director role at WSUM from 2006 to 2008. Since graduating from UW-Madison, she has made Chicago her chosen hometown. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling to new and familiar destinations, buying too many shoes and helping others succeed in their careers.