Turning Creativity into Impact
“I always knew that I wanted to have a career that made an impact in some way. When I found the opportunity to combine my love of writing with service to the community, I knew that I would love my work.”
For Olivia Hoge, national service has been an opportunity to combine two things she cares deeply about: creative communication and making an impact in her community.
As a Marketing Specialist at Breakthrough Cincinnati (BTC), Olivia manages the organization’s social media pages, creates marketing materials, photographs events, sends email communications, and updates the website. Her service helps connect BTC with students, families, donors, and the broader Cincinnati community.
One of Olivia’s proudest accomplishments has been growing BTC’s social media presence. Over the past year, she has expanded the organization’s reach while learning how to tailor messaging for different audiences.
Her growing portfolio has given her valuable professional experience that she hopes to carry into a future career in nonprofit marketing. Through service, she has learned how effective marketing can make an organization more visible and appealing to both donors and the communities it serves.
One of Olivia’s biggest professional challenges was helping overhaul BTC’s website. The process was initially nerve-wracking, particularly because of the uncertainty surrounding the site reset. However, Olivia and her team ultimately rose to the challenge, and she feels that the experience gave her greater confidence in tackling unfamiliar projects and finding effective solutions.
Olivia says her experience at BTC has reinforced her desire to pursue work that makes a meaningful difference.
“I always knew that I wanted to have a career that made an impact in some way,” she says. “When I found the opportunity to combine my love of writing with service to the community, I knew that I would love my work.”
Through her service, Olivia has developed a deep appreciation for the Cincinnati community while gaining valuable professional experience. She believes her work growing BTC’s social media presence will leave a lasting impression on current and future members.
Looking ahead, Olivia is excited to continue with Breakthrough Cincinnati for another service term. After completing her second term, she hopes to pursue another nonprofit marketing role and may return to school in the future.
“I would 100% recommend this experience to others,” Olivia says. “Not only will you gain professional experience, but you will become part of an incredible community.”
