Two University of Wisconsin Oshkosh alumni have taken their love for boats, marketing and social media into their careers, making connections for their company and with students at their alma mater.

Jen (Ganz) Nicklas ‘06, of Fond du Lac, and Andrea (Plueddeman) Jansen ‘04, of Oshkosh, have worked as marketers for Mercury Marine for three years, where they strategize the best plans for social media and connections with customers for optimal service.

“Mercury is a great company with a deep heritage, passionate customers and employees,” Nicklas said. “We not only manufacture marine propulsion, but we also make fun and memories for people and their families.”

Nicklas started part-time work for Mercury when she was still at UW Oshkosh as a student seven years prior to working with Jansen.

Jen Nicklas

“I started working on marketing projects,” Nicklas said. “Brochures, dealer communications and other projects to promote the sale of Mercury Product Protection.”

Nicklas’ supervisor offered her a position managing the MPP department, and she eventually transitioned into managing the Outboard Customer Service department.

Jansen was persistent in her quest to earn a career at Mercury Marine. She applied for a couple positions with the company before being hired as a social media manager for the company.

“My whole life has been spent around boats and on the water, so I knew that I had a deep connection to the product and the company,” Jansen said.

Andrea Jansen

Jansen started her marketing career in hospitality sales but knew it wasn’t the right field for her. She said social media is an important extension of customer service, sales and marketing.

The two think of themselves as the “content team” as they work side-by-side to market content for the company.

“As digital assets and content marketing continues to grow, Andrea and I work closer and closer together,” Nicklas said. “As concepts are approved, I work with my team to get the assets and Andrea distributes them throughout the appropriate channels.”

Social media has developed into an important way to connect with audiences. The team visited the UW Oshkosh campus in October and discussed with students how large of an impact social media has in the marketing world.

“It’s good for Jen and myself to hear how the next generation uses social media,” Jansen said. “To understand how it is an essential part of their everyday lives. But it’s also important for students to hear how social media is used in the corporate world. That it is not just fun and games.”

Jansen and Nicklas put thought into their strategies and plans for the company, especially since they align their marketing with Mercury’s business objectives.

They also encouraged students to take their journey to their career seriously. Nicklas said students should take part-time jobs sincerely, and Jansen said to never give up on passion since the destination is not as important as the journey.

“Don’t let failure or complacency define your future,” Jansen said. “There are so many twists and turns, highs and lows in life that it might take longer than you expect to find your dream job.”

Learn more:

• UW Oshkosh Alumni Relations