From Advertising to Stocks and Bonds: The Mark Johnson Story

Mark Johnson is a proud OU alumni, who has spent the last 13 years working as a successful Edward Jones broker. But before his workdays were filled with stocks and bonds, they were full of ads.

Johnson graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1992 with a journalism degree with an emphasis in marketing and advertising. Johnson got a job with Metro Buyers Guide, a direct mailing co. right out of college. He worked in the companies advertising department for two years.

After working in advertising, Johnson decided to make a change and became a broker for Edward Jones in 1997. Although the job does not directly involve journalism and advertising, Johnson says his degree has helped in his current job. “It’s helped me in handling my own advertising and knowing how to write a good ad.”

Mark Johnson in his office.

           

Johnson has advice for Gaylord students who are about to graduate and start their job search. “Make your own careers. Make yourself valuable, have a talent that others need and want", Johnson said. He hopes that students can utilize the tools provided by the journalism college in any field that they decide to go into. "College graduates have many opportunities and many doors to choose from. It is important to take the tools provided and use them to ensure that they are happy with their career choices”, Johnson said.

Today, Mark Johnson feels fulfilled in his career with Edward Jones and hopes to continue there. Although he is happy there, he still values the lessons and tools he learned in the University of Oklahoma’s journalism program and hopes to be able to continue to use them in his chosen career field.