Shelbie Hagge

Please describe your position and what you enjoy most about it.

I work for Bass Pro Shops/White River Marine Group corporate. I work in the photography department. We are a part of producing all the promotional material for all our boat brands and in-house Bass Pro brands. I hire all the talent/models based on the specifications that are given to me by the client on a shoot to shoot basis. Every day is something different and things change very quickly. There are lots of moving targets when it comes to any production, and that always keeps me on my toes. The best part of my position is traveling and being on location helping with scenario set up, styling, logistics, and coordinating talent on site. I get to meet many amazing people who are in the outdoor industry and also those who have a passion for the outdoors.

 

What aspects of your HLGU experience helped prepare you for your career?

HLGU helped prepare me in the sense that they gave me the tools and education needed to get my foot in the door with my dream company. My advisers, professors, and bosses in the PR department provided me with guidance, experience, and encouragement. They were mentors for me throughout my college years, and after as well. We still keep in touch, which is a very unique experience you can only find at a small university like HLGU.

 

What have you enjoyed most about your career?

I enjoy the aspect of travel, meeting and working with many different people in different regions of the country. I also enjoy being part of a team that is like a family. Production hours are long–14-18 hour days for sometimes weeks at a time–this makes having a team that’s always positive and helping each other out crucial. I had no idea when I was in school that production teams like this existed or this would be a potential job for my field. I have enjoyed digging deeper behind the scene work, and it’s always rewarding to see our work around the country, whether on TV, social media, or print ads.

 

How did HLGU shape you as a person?

HLGU shaped me in many ways. I grew a lot as a person in the four years I was there. I became bolder, more confident, and truly felt like by senior year I could be successful in anything I put my mind to. Freshman year me would’ve never thought that was possible. I owe a lot of that to the faculty I had the pleasure of being taught by while I was attending HLGU.

 

What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?

I am proud that I reached the goal I set for myself upon graduating- to work for Bass Pro corporate in their marketing/creative department. I thank God every day that I have this opportunity and an amazing job that I enjoy. The phrase if you love what you do you will never work a day in your life I have found is very accurate.

 

What HLGU professors played a part in your success? How did your relationship with faculty help you succeed?

Mrs. Jung and Dr. Brennemann played a major role in my success. Something I have taken into every aspect of the professional world is something Mrs. Jung teaches in her introduction to speech class. She teaches about how to take the nerves of public speaking, turn them into a motivator, and use it to propel yourself forward. Every situation I have approached when I have been nervous, I utilize that technique and have found it very helpful. Freshman, make sure to pay attention in her classes, she knows her stuff!

Dr. Brennemann taught me that anything is possible as long as you have a good spin on it. She helped me channel my debate, logic, and communication skills to pitch an idea and successfully make people listen. Another person I owe a lot of my success to is Carolyn Carpenter who was Director of Public Relations while I was attending HLGU. I interned for her all four years I was there, and she taught me so much about PR, design, and staying on task. I still keep up with these three ladies and know anytime I need mentoring they’re happy to help.

 

Do you have any tips to share with students interested in this field?

Network, network, network!! This is something I did not listen to my professors about and wish I had sooner. The way you get somewhere in this field is who you know and what they know about you.

 

What is one thing you know now that you wish you’d known when you started in the field?

I wish I would’ve known that with all the knowledge, I could not be fully prepared for what was to meet me in the business world. It came down to my faith, common sense, and ability to think on my toes. In this field, ethics is very important and I learned that quickly as I saw others try to cheat the system to get ahead and fail miserably. It takes hard work, long hours, and the ability to keep your morals strong, but if you have the motivation backed with the knowledge and continue your growth of knowledge after college, success is not far behind.