Keegan Clark, ’25 BSB, ’26 MMKTG: Finding His Path in Digital Marketing
Friday, November 6, 2026
Meet Minnesota Carlson's community and learn about the experiences and career connections we offer.
What was your initial reason or motivation for pursuing a Master of Marketing?
My initial motivation came from wanting to build on what I had learned as an undergraduate and challenge myself in a new way. Through my experience in undergraduate, I realized how much I enjoyed marketing and how many different career paths were out there. I wanted to keep learning, gain more real-world experience, and position myself to succeed after graduation. The Master of Marketing program felt like a great opportunity to do all three while continuing to explore what I wanted my career to look like.
Why did you choose Minnesota Carlson?
My experience in Brand Enterprise was a big reason I chose to continue at Carlson. As an undergraduate, I was selected to participate in a consulting project alongside graduate students, where we worked on real-world business challenges and approached it as we would in a professional setting. I loved the experience and the opportunity to learn from both my teammates and the Carlson faculty who supported us throughout the process. It showed me how much I could grow at Carlson, and I knew I wanted to keep building on that experience. Continuing into the Master of Marketing program felt like a natural next step.
What was your most valuable Minnesota Carlson experience?
My most valuable experience was the experiential learning project through the Brand Enterprise because it let me work on a real business challenge and see how all the pieces of marketing come together. My team worked on a project focused on helping a well-known brand better connect with younger consumers. We looked at the challenge from multiple angles, analyzed data, conducted research, and turned our findings into actionable recommendations. What I enjoyed most was seeing how the analytical and creative sides of marketing worked together to solve a larger business problem. It taught me to look beyond the numbers, understand the bigger picture, and think critically about how recommendations apply in the real world. It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my time at Carlson and helped shape how I approach marketing today.
Program
'25 BSB, '26 MMKTG
Undergraduate School and Major
University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Business Marketing
Most Recent Employer and Job Title
Paid Search Analyst at Ovative Group
One of the most valuable parts of my experience was being exposed to new areas of marketing that I hadn't previously considered and discovering what I was most interested in.
How did being part of Minnesota Carlson’s broader business ecosystem — spanning the Twin Cities community, local industries, and global partners — shape your experience in the Master of Marketing program?
One thing that stood out to me about Carlson was how willing its alumni and broader business network were to invest in students. Whether it was bringing professionals into the classroom to share their experiences, encouraging us to connect with people in the industry, or hosting events that brought students and business leaders together, Carlson created a lot of opportunities to build relationships beyond the program. Minnesota is also fortunate to have such a strong business community, with many major companies headquartered in the Twin Cities. Being able to learn from people working across different industries gave me a broader perspective on marketing and the opportunities available right here in Minnesota.
How has your Minnesota Carlson experience helped you change your career path and get to where you are?
One of my favorite classes in the Master of Marketing program focused on paid media, particularly Google advertising. I enjoyed learning how businesses use digital advertising to reach the right audiences, evaluate performance, and make data-driven decisions. The Google Ads simulation was especially valuable because it allowed me to put what I was learning into practice and see how different strategies could impact results. That class helped me discover an area of marketing I was genuinely excited about pursuing as a career. It ultimately played a big role in my decision to join Ovative Group, where I now work full-time in digital marketing and measurement.
What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Carlson’s Master of Marketing program?
My biggest piece of advice would be to come into the process with an open mind and a willingness to learn. You don't need to have your entire career figured out before starting the program. One of the most valuable parts of my experience was being exposed to new areas of marketing that I hadn't previously considered and discovering what I was most interested in. I'd also encourage applicants to take advantage of the opportunities around them, ask questions, and learn from the people they meet. The more you put into the experience, the more you can get out of it, both personally and professionally.
