Mentor Interview

Name of Mentor: Gregory Parks
Name of Organization/site: Katz & Associates

1) What is a typical workday like?

Not typical, im always out on a lot of meetings, with different organizations due to the High Speed Train project. So I just come in to the office and first thing I check is if I have any meetings.

2) What are your main duties and responsibilities?
Im an account executive, so i mainly work with client service, but im mainly focused on transportation clientel. But I also work with public affairs, management, things like that...

3) What is the purpose or mission of this organization/company?
Katz & Associates is a full service communication agency, specialized in serving public sector clients, so mainly government, and city clients

4) How is the organization structured?
Well, Sara Katz is the president/founder, she started this company i believe on 1988 by herself, then eventually started hiring people and now we have a office in, Sacramento, San Fransisco, Las Vegas.

5) Tell us about your path in getting to where you are today- what is your educational history and work experience to working here?
Well, I went to UCSD and graduated on 2000 to political science. My first job was in washington D.C. and i worked for a congressman for about 3 years, but then she went out of office so i came back to San Diego and worked in the chamber of congress for about 2 years and now ive been working here for about 3.

6) Why did you choose to work here?
Because it worked with public sector clients and that has alot to do with the government, cities, and it would make more sense to work here than one with private sector clients which are just organizations, etc.

7) What qualifications do employees need to be successful here and how are those qualifications acquired?
Well first you have to have a college degree, the best degrees to have would be like, public relations or communications. Getting degrees for those would teach you good writing skills which is good for a job like this. You also would want to be good at public speaking where you can go to a place called toastmaster where you could practice at. You would also need good project management skills which you kinda have to pick up on your own.

8) What other personality traits, skills, or knowledge are important here?
Well ive already kinda explained some of that, but what would be good for personality traits would be to be confident in interactions with clients, because if you come off as confident there going to be confident in you. Oh and also write down professional demeaner.

9) What advice do you have about working here?
I would say just dont be afraid to ask questions, its better to ask alot of questions and do it right, than be to afraid or embarressed to ask a question and do it wrong.