Appalachian State University alumnus Christian Torres-Trujillo ’20, a digital marketing specialist in pay-per-click (PPC) marketing with TreeHaus Marketing LLC. Photo submitted
BOONE, N.C. — What drew digital marketing specialist Christian Torres-Trujillo ’20 to his chosen profession? It is “fast-paced and exciting” and “you get to do it all — you get to be creative, decisive and strategic,” said Torres-Trujillo, an Appalachian State University graduate who works for TreeHaus Marketing LLC.
Through his role in the digital marketing agency, Torres-Trujillo specializes in pay-per-click (PPC) marketing, in which advertisers pay a fee each time their online ads are clicked. His Appalachian Experience gave him “a great understanding of digital marketing,” he said, “which helped me succeed in my current role and has set me up for success moving forward as well.”
Torres-Trujillo, originally from Plainfield, New Jersey, majored in marketing with a concentration in digital marketing in the Walker College of Business (WCOB). The program prepares students to support companies’ connections with customers and other businesses through digital channels — such as websites, e-newsletters and social media — and adjust their marketing mix in order to succeed.
He calls his education at App State “top tier” — in part because of his program’s real-world experience and supportive faculty.
Two experiences in particular, he said, gave him an edge: developing a marketing plan for a local company to improve its online presence, and creating a Google Ads campaign as part of a student competition.
The first gave him a chance to apply classroom knowledge, while the second introduced him to the “paid search” industry and an interest in earning Google Ads certification, which helped lead to his current position, he said.
Two WCOB professors to whom he’s grateful for “pushing me and inspiring me every step of the way to pursue my dream career” are associate professor Dr. Lubna Nafees and lecturer Christy M. Cook.
“They mentored me by helping out with my job search, giving me great advice in pursuing digital marketing, and simply being someone I could go to if I had any questions or needed any help within my time at App State,” Torres-Trujillo said.
Student leadership opportunities, including starting a new fraternity on campus, also gave him opportunities to practice being a team player, collaborating with others and communicating effectively.
Torres-Trujillo said he eventually wants to build his own team of motivated, passionate digital marketers.
An important lesson he said he learned while at App State is to be resilient and never give up.
“I learned that if you truly believe in something and want to make it work, then you will do everything in your power to make it happen,” he said. “(My) professors … really pushed me to do my best work and in the long run it truly paid off. The faculty always made sure to motivate and inspire us.”
“I truly loved every single bit of (my time at App State),” he said. “I left with lifelong relationships, memories I won’t ever forget and the best outlook on life I could ever have.”
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Q&A with student Kayla Sessoms
About the Department of Marketing and Supply Chain Management
At Appalachian State University, students in the Walker College of Business’ Department of Marketing and Supply Chain Management learn to drive industry initiatives that develop customer satisfaction and retention, contribute to company profits and build connections with suppliers, distributors and the community. Students majoring in marketing may select a concentration in general marketing, digital marketing or sales. Students majoring in supply chain management (SCM) learn about logistics, operations, strategic sourcing, process improvement strategies and supply chain technologies, enabling them to compete in the global marketplace and help future employers reduce costs, improve profits and expand their markets. Learn more at https://marketing.appstate.edu.
About the Walker College of Business
The Walker College of Business at Appalachian State University delivers transformational educational experiences that prepare and inspire students to be ethical, innovative and engaged business leaders who positively impact their communities, both locally and globally. The college places emphasis on international experiences, sustainable business practices, entrepreneurial programs and real-world applications with industry. Enrolling more than 4,000 undergraduates in 11 majors, Walker College has the highest enrollment of full-time undergraduate students in the University of North Carolina System, and more than 250 graduate students are enrolled in the college’s three master’s programs. App State’s Walker College is accredited by AACSB International — the premier global accrediting body for business schools. Learn more at https://business.appstate.edu.
About Appalachian State University
As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.
Q&A with student Kayla Sessoms
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