About the Episode
About the Episode: In this insightful episode, we chat with Sallie Poggi, the former director of social media at the University of California, Davis, who played a pivotal role in shaping the university's social presence. Sallie shares her career journey, highlighting her transition from social media to an executive role. Her story is not just about the evolution of her career but also about how the skills developed as a social media manager and director prepare people for higher-level positions beyond social media.
Key Takeaways for Higher Ed Social Media Professionals
- Lean into Curiosity: Social media professionals thrive by asking questions and seeking to understand new platforms, trends, and challenges. This skill translates seamlessly into leadership roles that require navigating complexity and fostering collaboration.
- Build Cross-Disciplinary Skills: Expand beyond your immediate role by gaining expertise in areas like budgeting, crisis communication, and relationship management to create a well-rounded professional profile.
- Articulate Strategy Clearly: Develop the ability to succinctly explain your goals and their impact. Crisp, strategic communication ensures buy-in from stakeholders and reinforces your credibility.
- Recognize Leadership Transitions: Reflect on when it's time to step aside or pivot, allowing for team growth and personal career evolution. Embrace mentorship and feedback to identify your next move.
- Leverage Relational Strengths: Social media work involves constant collaboration and consensus building—skills that are invaluable in higher-level leadership roles.
From Social Media Specialist to Chief of Staff: Sallie’s Journey
Sallie Poggi’s career in social media began serendipitously in 2007 when she launched the first grocery store Twitter account in the U.S., sparking her passion for connecting brands with their audiences. After years of groundbreaking work at UC Davis, including scaling the social media team and integrating social strategy into broader communications efforts, Sallie recognized it was time for a change.
Her transition into the role of Chief of Staff was driven by a spark to tackle more complex challenges that integrated communications, government relations, and organizational alignment. She credits her curiosity and diverse skill set—developed through years of navigating the ever-changing social media landscape—as key factors in her successful shift to leadership. Today, Sallie oversees executive communications and works to create a frictionless, collaborative environment at UC Davis.
Actionable Advice for Aspiring Leaders
- Embrace Lifelong Learning: Assess your strengths and areas for growth, and actively seek opportunities to learn new skills, whether through formal courses or on-the-job experiences.
- Seek Mentorship: Mentors can provide invaluable guidance, helping you identify blind spots and chart a path forward in your career.
- Cultivate Emotional Intelligence: Build relationships by approaching conversations with empathy and curiosity, especially when explaining complex concepts to those outside your field.
- Focus on Big-Picture Impact: As you grow, shift your perspective from tactical execution to strategic integration, considering how your work fits into broader institutional goals.
Navigating Growing Pains and Finding Fulfillment
Sallie candidly shares the challenges of leaving behind the immediacy and identity tied to social media management. Transitioning into a new role required adjusting to a more ambiguous job description, learning unfamiliar areas like budgeting, and reestablishing her professional identity outside of social media.
Her advice to others considering a similar transition is clear: take stock of the skills you’ve developed, understand where you need to grow, and embrace the discomfort of change. Whether it’s mastering consensus-building or tackling a daunting Google Drive migration, every challenge is an opportunity to learn and evolve.
About the Show: Confessions of a Higher Ed Social Media Manager covers the do's, don'ts, and dynamics of the complex and challenging social media ecosystem. We analyze the successes and failures of those in the higher education social space — what went right, what went wrong, and what are the lessons learned. We’ll share actionable steps so you can push past the pitfalls others have faced. No matter if you're on a team of 20 or a team of one, we've got you covered. Confessions of a Higher Ed Social Media Manager is hosted by Jenny Li Fowler and is a proud member of the Enrollify Podcast Network.
Connect With Our Host:
Jenny Li Fowler
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennylifowler/
https://twitter.com/TheJennyLi
About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
Confessions of a Higher Ed Social Media Manager is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows, too!
Some of our favorites include Higher Ed Pulse and Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO.
Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.
Connect with Us at the Engage Summit:
Exciting news — Jenny will be at the 2024 Engage Summit in Raleigh, NC, on June 25 and 26, and we’d love to meet you there! Sessions will focus on cutting-edge AI applications that are reshaping student outreach, enhancing staff productivity, and offering deep insights into ROI.
Use the discount code Enrollify50 at checkout, and you can register for just $200.
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