Member Spotlight | Jessica Davila
Posted by [email protected] on Feb. 13, 2023 / Subscribe 0
With more than 20 years of marketing experience, I’ve spent most of my career in the A/E/C industry. In fact, I just celebrated my 13th anniversary at McCarthy Building Companies. As Marketing Director, I’m focused on elevating McCarthy’s brand across our Central Region, streamlining our marketing approach, and developing and empowering my teammates. I am extremely fortunate to have an amazingly talented team of marketers at my side who truly make coming to work each day fun.
I joined SMPS in 2006 and have served on the Board in several capacities including Programs Director, Education Director, Secretary and President.
What led you to join SMPS St Louis Chapter over 15 years ago? What has kept you coming back year after year?
I joined SMPS 17 years ago at my boss’s request. At the time, I was working for a small general contractor and was the sole marketer in St. Louis. As soon as I walked into my first program, I knew that SMPS was something special. I had an instant support system with like-minded professionals who understood that challenges of marketing in this industry. This organization has truly made me a better marketer and leader.
As a member, what do you think have been the biggest changes over the years? Good and bad?
I’ve always been impressed by the amazing people willing to work so hard to ensure our chapter’s success. Throughout the years, our chapter has grown significantly and continues to offer valuable networking opportunities and educational programs. I was also very impressed with the leaders who guided the chapter through COVID challenges – that certainly wasn’t an easy feat!
The AEC industry is often so fast paced that many of us have to set an alarm just to take a drink of coffee. What are a few of your tips and tricks to de-stress and manage the fast-paced energy of this industry?
It’s true that this industry can often be challenging. Unfortunately, the work often comes with crazy deadlines, and you generally lose more often than you win. While it’s not easy, it is also incredibly satisfying to win a new job or see a project that you worked on start to come out of the ground. What I love about A/E/C marketing is that you get to do so many different things –pursuit strategy, technical writing, graphic design, event planning, communications – and no two days are alike.
I admit that I still have not found the secret to achieving work/life balance. Staying true to yourself and knowing your limits is essential. Work hard when you’re on a deadline and lean on the team who is in the trenches with you. And once the dust settles, be sure to give yourself a break!
If you could go back in time and give yourself a bit of advice as you started out in this industry all those years ago, what would you tell your younger self today?
I wish I learned how to advocate for myself a lot earlier in my career. Oftentimes others in your organization, even your manager, might not really know about all the great things that you’re doing. Finding a way to promote your wins is important.
I also wish that I’d have realized earlier in my career that nothing can be perfect, so while it’s important to set high standards for yourself and your team, understand when it’s good enough. It would have helped me avoid a lot of late nights at the office!
What are your favorite things to do when you are not at work?
I love to just relax with my family. I have two kids (Dylan is 9 and Isabelle is 8) and I love watching movies with them or challenging them to a game of UNO.
When you were young, what was your ultimate dream job? And why?
When I was little, I wanted to be an Olympic swimmer. I swam competitively and apparently thought I had a lot more talent than I truly did. Clearly that dream didn’t quite pan out but working in marketing was definitely a close second!
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