Navigating Strategic Waters

Jack Yakowicz ’15
Director of Operations, AdShark
Major: Business with a concentration in Organizational Leadership
Minor: Communication

What did Concordia mean to you as a student?  

Concordia was my home away from home in college. It was my first time living away from my parents (in the suburban Twin Cities), and it was a great bridge for me into a new community. The friends and faculty I met during my time as a student really helped me grow as an individual, and the courses that I took challenged me to think more critically. I also engaged in various on-campus organizations (Orientation, Dance Marathon, Campus Service Commission, etc.) that provided me with a wider array of experiences that benefited me in finding my first job. 

What does Concordia mean to you now? 

I still have many memories from my time at Concordia that I hold close to my heart. When I really reflect on my time at Concordia, I think about how much it shaped me into a well-rounded professional. Almost all of my class projects were research papers or presentations — a direct reflection of what my life looks like now at a marketing agency. I also was able to grow by meeting people with different backgrounds, interests, and skillsets than my own. Everything on the educational side set me up well for my future career; everything on the social side helped me grow as a person.

What is a life lesson you learned in college?

In college, I learned the value of time management and how to prioritize my workload amid a busy schedule (and still making some time for fun along the way).

What is a life lesson you have learned since graduating?

Since graduating from college, I learned that the most important thing I can be is compassionate. Showing true care and interest in others has built many trusting relationships and helped me feel a lot more connected to the people I interact with. It’s also provided me with a constant sense of community in the circles I roll. 

Did you have any defining moments at Concordia that helped shape you as a person? 

 I had written songs since I was 15 years old but didn’t start performing until I was in college. Getting the chance to perform my original songs in front of my peers at Concordia during events like CobberTHON and Cornstock helped me gain a renewed sense of confidence in being in front of others and, more importantly, being vulnerable in front of others. I used to be a shy kid who would embarrass easily, and these experiences really got me out of my shell.

Did you have a mentor at Concordia who was influential during your time at college (and/or beyond)?  

Two professors always stick out to me — Dr. Linda Keup (Offutt School of Business) and Dr. Kirsten Theye (communication studies department). They were great educators but also always treated me like a peer. When you’re still young and dumb, it’s nice to have people you look up to who treat you as an equal.

Do you remember a favorite assignment you tackled as a student? Did you build skills while working on it that transfer to your current work? 

I remember writing an article with Dr. Theye about apologia and studying how brands and individuals work through crisis communication via Twitter. Twitter was a lot more heavily used back then, and I was a huge Twitter guy. I learned a lot about brand communications through this, which naturally lends to my job as a marketer now, but it also challenged me because we were publishing original research for this assignment. That helped me realize how to drill deeper and make my arguments more convincing.

This time matters.

If you could say one thing to your past college self, what would you say? 

This time matters. Take advantage of the resources at your disposal that will help set up your future. But also, this time doesn’t matter too much — so still have fun and be young and stop putting so much pressure on yourself.

How did your time at Concordia prepare you for your job now? 

My education was largely focused on building compelling arguments — whether it was for a research paper or a presentation. That requires a few things that are still a part of my job today: strategic thinking, creativity, and self-efficacy. I’m grateful for how my educational experience set the stage for my career. 

Do you have any favorite Concordia memories you’d like to share? 

I came up to Concordia in August of 2011 (14 years ago!). As the years have passed, I have forgotten a lot of the specific memories. What I never forget, however, is the feeling I had when school was starting every fall. The excitement, the energy, the reconnecting with friends. I will always miss being in college and experiencing that late August/early September on Concordia’s campus.

What advice do you have for future Cobbers?  

Concordia provides you a super unique opportunity to get involved on campus early — don’t squander that opportunity. Your degree alone won’t set you up the same way it used to; employers are looking for you to have experiences to speak to that highlight how you used your degree. Get involved in all of the clubs on campus you can, and you’ll have a lot more to talk about in interviews than others. 

Network. It’s never too early to reach out to other Cobbers and build a network of people who can guide you, mentor you, help you find internships and jobs, and more. The Concordia ties run deep, so never feel like you’ll be burdening someone by reaching out and looking to connect!

^{Published November 2025}