Member Spotlight | Joey Sminchak
Posted by [email protected] on Sep. 23, 2024 / Subscribe 0
Joey serves as a Marketing Manager with Horner & Shifrin for nearly a decade, beginning as a Marketing Coordinator in 2015.
What are your thoughts on being named Volunteer of the Year?
First off, I’d like to give a big THANK YOU to the Chapter for recognizing me with this honor. Second, I was genuinely shocked that I was named Volunteer of the Year, mostly because I didn’t recognize my contributions as being that big of a deal. It really goes to show how much appreciation the Board has for chapter members and just how far a little bit of effort goes as part of our volunteer-based organization.
How long have you been a member of SMPS, and what has been your involvement as a chapter member? What do you find most beneficial about being a member?
I have been a member of SMPS since 2018, but I’ve been more active as a chapter member since 2022. I’ve been involved on the programs committee and have been producing the Wednesday Weekly newsletter. I just joined the Board this month as Secretary! The thing that I find most beneficial about being a member is the network you develop and the friendships you forge. Seeing my fellow members at our programs and catching up, coordinating as a committee, and using my friends as resources when I’m in a rut – that’s what SMPS is all about, in my opinion: the network of like-minded individuals.
How did you get started in the AEC industry, and do you have any advice for those just starting?
There’s a common theme amongst AEC marketers, and we got started in the industry by stumbling into it, and I am no exception. I was unfamiliar with the marketing coordinator role before joining H&S and had no idea what I was in store for when I started. My most significant piece of advice for newcomers is to keep an open mind and say yes to opportunities when they’re sent your way. This will give you plenty of chances to do new and exciting things! For example, I’ve leveraged my skills in graphic design, social media marketing, and print production to assist my company’s technical teams with public involvement materials on billable projects, adding value and keeping work in-house that would have previously been outsourced.
Throughout your career, what lessons have you had to learn the hard way that has continued to help you over the years?
Even ten years into my career, I still learn things daily. One thing I’ve learned the hard way is not to underestimate myself – you almost always know more than you think. As marketers, we are resilient and resourceful; we always find a way to get things done. I’ve had plenty of deadlines that I didn’t think I could make or tasks I didn’t know I could accomplish, and that work is often what makes me get into a creative mindset or earn the highest praise. Give yourself the benefit of the doubt – you deserve a chance to prove your value!
If you had a year off work, how would you spend that time?
If I had a year off work (I’m assuming that money is no object here), I would love to do more traveling internationally. I have developed a love of wine over the past few years and am interested in viticulture, so the popular wine-making regions of Europe in France, Italy, and Spain would be at the top of my list. Enjoying a glass of champagne in Champagne sounds perfectly lovely.
What do you look forward to at the end of the week?
It’s a tradition in our house that Friday night is takeout night, so I most look forward to not having to cook and just relaxing and reflecting on a week of hard work. A weekend spent on long walks in Forest Park or Missouri Botanical Garden sounds perfect, especially at this time of year.
0 Comments