1. Name (First and Last)
Jayme Godoyo (Swift)
2. Twitter
@mrsgodoyo
3. LinkedIn
jayme.godoyo
Employment Info
4. Employer
One Hope United
5. Title/Occupation
Development Officer
Academic Info
6. Graduation Year (list as "Month Year")
May 2007
7. Major
Advertising
8. Minor and/or Certificates
Other Stuff
9. Hometown
Salem, Illinois
10. Hobbies
running, reading, traveling
Career Information & Advice
Please answer each of the following questions with as much detail as possible while keeping your answers succinct (aim for 2 - 4 sentences per question).
11. What are your job responsibilities/duties?
My primary responsibilities revolve around donor-centric fundraising for One Hope United, which is a nonprofit human services organization dedicated to protecting children and strengthening families. My position is regional, so I cover Central and Southern Illinois and St. Louis, Missouri.
12. What does a typical day look like?
No day is typical! That's what I love about my job - every day is different and allows me the opportunity to interact with a variety of people. When I am in my office, I am typically submitting monetary or gift in kind donations, writing or editing grant applications, following up with donors, updating our regional Facebook page or planning for the next event or appeal.
13. What do you most enjoy about your job?
I really enjoy the opportunities I get in this position. I travel a lot and get to meet new people on a weekly (or sometimes even daily) basis. I also really enjoy when I get the chance to spend time with the kids we serve. My office is on our residential campus and I started at One Hope United as a youth care worker, so any chance I get to just hang out with the kids is great because it reminds me why I'm here.
14. What is the most difficult aspect of the job?
The most difficult aspect of my job is being told "no" by a donor or Foundation. It took me a while to get used to that and not take it personally, and even on my best days, that still can catch me off guard.
15. What on-campus activities were you involved with? Where did you gain relevant experience?
I was very involved at Illinois - I loved it! I was the Editor in Chief of the 2006 Illio yearbook and the Marketing Director the following year. The 2006 Illio won a Silver Crown so I got to travel to New York City to accept the award. I was also a member of the American Advertising Federation (I went on the L.A. trip to tour agencies), the External Publicity Chair of Engineering Open House, a member of Colleges Against Cancer, a member of Illini Pride and Orange Krush, an intern at North American Lighting, Inc. and a number of other things I can't even remember any more! All of the activities I was involved with provided relevant experience; I don't feel like anything I did was ever a waste of time.
16. How did your experience at ILLINOIS and in the College of Media prepare you for your professional life? For this specific position?
Everything I did at Illinois prepared me for what I do now. I was constantly seeking out new opportunities and looking for ways to interact with people and I always tried to approach things with enthusiasm and optimism. So much of my position now involves great organization and communication skills and even something that seemed irrelevant at the time provided a chance for me to grow.
17. What advice do you have for students interested in this field?
Embrace every opportunity. When I was approached about helping out with Engineering Open House or working in Human Resources at an automotive lighting plant, I didn't shy away because it wasn't an advertising position. It's also really important to never burn bridges - you have no idea who you may call on in the future to help with a project or to solicit a sponsorship. Some of the greatest contacts I have now were people I met at Illinois.
18. What is one thing that you know now that you wish you had known when you started in the field? When you graduated from the College?
Life is tough and positions in media and related fields are super competitive. But don't be too scared to take a risk. I never envisioned myself where I am today; my plans are so far from what I dreamed at Illinois, but I am so grateful for where I am today and absolutely love the work I do.