It was a path through radiology, oddly enough, that led Mark McInnis to a career in marketing.

McInnis, who previously earned a degree in radiology, was working at a St. Louis hospital when he realized the hospital was not working for him. He wanted something more from a career and enrolled at Webster to find it.

The School of Communications is where McInnis found his calling and, eventually, his career with the St. Louis-based marketing firm Javelin Inc.

“The breath and depth of what you get from Webster University is incredible … from how to write to how to edit video …” McInnis said. “You may not use the skills you learn there every single day, but there are times when it really comes in handy.”

McInnis discovered his future employer while searching for an internship during the spring semester of his senior year.



The internship at Javelin was just what McInnis was seeking, allowing him to work on atypical marketing events Javelin is known for. McInnis enjoyed the internship and quickly benefited from a spot of good timing. A full-time employee left the company at the same time his internship was ending.

Javelin hired McInnis shortly after he graduated and he’s been there every since. “I guess I’m one of those people that end up really loving their internship,” he said.

Today, McInnis balances several high-profile projects at Javelin as the director of account services. “It’s a very unique environment,” he said. “It’s not classic advertising, but more event marketing. It’s a real juggling act at times and you have to be good at time management and communicating effectively.”

Currently, McInnis directs a team that produces Animal Planet Expo. The free event tours the country with live animal shows, exhibitions, displays, games and more.

The benefit of producing such live events, McInnis said, is the immediate reaction one can gather on the work they’re doing. “You see the fruits of your labor,” he said. “You know it right then and there if something works or it doesn’t.”

The advice he would give current students looking to follow in his career footsteps?

“Know what you want to do,” McInnis said, “and maybe that includes figuring out what you don’t like doing. If you have the ability to be passionate about your work … success will become a part of it.”

Return to Top  

• Words from the Dean

• Mark McInnis ’00
  Advertising
  and Marketing
  Communications

• Life in N’awlins:
  Webster Alumna Volunteers in the Rebuilding Effort
• Student Orgs Benefit Beyond Student Years

• Mosmi Biscuitwala ’06
  Media Communications
• Brittany Hyatt Burke ’06
  Broadcast Journalism
• Benjamin K. Shown ’05
  Interactive Digital Media

• Home Page
• About SCAN
• Become a GURU
• Send This to a Friend
• Contact Us
• Archived Issues
• Subscribe/Unsubscribe
• Copyright
• SOC Home Page