Scott Werner

Where are you originally from and how did you hear about MCAD?

I was born in Pueblo, Colorado but I've lived in Minnesota most of my life. I knew about MCAD since high school and wanted to go there someday.

What was your experience living in the Twin Cities? Any hidden treasures?

I grew up here but I had an assignment where I needed to use an app to guide me through an area by breaking normal traffic patterns. I discovered a place that has live music and found out about the musical walk across the street from Target Field.

Why did you choose the bachelor of science program?

I started as an advertising major, but after consulting entrepreneurial studies chair Jerry Allan I decided that his program was the right choice. I knew I wanted to create my own business and understand how to run a business and felt that would benefit me the most even with other job opportunities.

Briefly describe at least one of your internships.

I ended up doing a double internship for Somnetics International, a medical device company that makes the mini CPAP. It was really fun working with the marketing manager. Their initial needs were in maintaining social media but grew into graphic design, packaging graphics, working with resellers through a partnership program, and developing a marketing file structure. It was great portfolio stuff to present to potential clients and employers.

Favorite project you worked on for a client?

This is really tough—I enjoyed almost every client project! If I have to pick one, I would say the Belwin Nature Conservancy. It started out as individual group projects tackling different aspects of how we could improve their exposure and drive fundraising. It then turned into a whole class project with all of us doing our individual presentations. The Belwin representatives were just blown away with everything we presented.

Is there anything you wish you knew when you were an MCAD student?

I wish I knew exactly which degree program I wanted to be in before starting. I feel like that first semester could have been better aimed at my goals of becoming a better storyteller.

Did MCAD prepare you for life after graduation? In what way?

I was a nontraditional student to begin with, so I already knew how to manage life after graduation. What MCAD did was provide me with invaluable experiences and skills to expand on and reach out for better employment opportunities as well as provide a way to create income in-between.

What have you learned since graduating from MCAD?

How to narrow down ideation from a huge concept to something actionable. How to understand KPI's, CTR, Google AdWords, and other programs that assist in marketing.

What do you miss about being a student at MCAD?

Besides the staff, student life, and real clients? The lunchroom! Great conversations, plus the lunch counter was awesome!

Name your biggest takeaway from the program.

The deep connections I made beyond school with fellow alumni (who I still chat and hang out with) and supporting fellow students and alumni. Since the beginning of the program had a heavy influence on sustainability, I'm now actively trying to live and work more authentically.

What inspires you?

Sustainability, creative solutions that others have created, finding inspiration through travel, and discovering new places, sites, and sounds.

Describe what you do for work and how your experience with it has been.

I am the marketing manager for Vert Energy Group and Vert Pro®. I manage both inbound and outbound marketing channels. Develop new channels, create, maintain social media and public facing website pages. I develop marketing plans and strategies by quarter and by year for each service and the company as a whole. We provide Energy Benchmarking Compliance, Energy Audits, and Building Energy Upgrades for Commercial Buildings to make them more energy efficient, sustainable, and compliant to local energy laws nationwide.

How did you get your job?

After searching for jobs for a couple of years I decided to try a different tactic and moved from salary being the most important to the quality of the company and position. Once I changed this mindset I was open to more possibilities including full-time remote work. I saw this posting on Indeed and was prompted to do an answer video prescreen. I was immediately requested for the first and second interviews. I started within two weeks from applying.

How do you network yourself and your art?

With my business, paid advertising, handing out business cards, using my 30-second elevator pitch, and supporting other artists.

What advice do you have for current MCAD students and/or artists at the beginning of their creative careers?

Find yourself by experimenting with projects and pushing beyond boundaries. This is your opportunity to try things that may not fly in the corporate world and will help you find your style and how to think outside of the box.

What is your most proud accomplishment?

For my Art in Community class, my individual project was working with homeless youth to show them that art can make money. Despite their circumstances they have opportunities to find a way out that works. The best part was creating an installation of their art and promoting them to show they were talented and deserving.

Current obsession?

Improving my remote work (desk area) situation! Come on Amazon, get my stuff here already!

Best thing you ever found on the free shelf?

There were so many random things but having my daughter find art supplies was the best part.