Workplace superlatives abound for Oklahoma-based Paycom Software, Inc., innovators of easy-to-use HR and payroll technology, from a recent most-trusted company accolade, a top-workplace ranking, and a spot on Newsweek’s list of best workplaces for diversity.
Gaylord College is well-represented at Paycom, too. We recently asked several Paycom employees to talk about their time at Gaylord, the college’s impact on their careers thus far and what Gaylord students and alumni should know about Paycom.
What did you study at Gaylord College?
Advertising
Favorite class and/or professor?
Advertising Account Planning, Jim Avery
What is something you learned while at Gaylord that has been applicable to your work at Paycom?
I learned the fundamentals of campaign planning and the art of a great creative brief. Both are integral parts of my career to this day.
Now that you're in the corporate world, what would be your advice to students preparing to enter the workforce?
Be curious and intentional about learning your profession. Listen to podcasts, read books, and spend time talking to experts. The subjects or ideas discussed often won’t make sense initially, but in time all the dots will start to connect.
What is your favorite part about OU’s Gaylord College that prospective students should know?
The experience you get parallels the real-world very closely. You’ll be stretched, challenged, and given the tools to succeed in whatever field/profession you desire.
What's it like to work for Paycom?
Like being asked to complete a 5,000-piece puzzle every day, which might be daunting, except you get to enlist the smartest and brightest people in the world to help you complete the task. So instead of daunting, it’s challenging, fun, and rewarding. We’re always learning. The challenge and opportunity to do meaningful breakthrough work are incredible.
What have you learned at Paycom that you wish was taught (more) at Gaylord?
Management of people. As a new employee entering the workforce, you likely won’t have people reporting to you, but you will in time, and understanding the fundamentals of people management will serve you well.
What is your favorite part about working at Paycom that you want future alumni to know and (potentially) work here?
We are only constrained by our ideas!
What did you study at Gaylord College?
Public Relations
Favorite class and/or professor?
Sports PR with Kenny Mossman
What is something you learned while at Gaylord that has been applicable to your work at Paycom?
I learned a lot about diplomacy and the development of social media and PR’s role.
Now that you're in the corporate world, what would be your advice to students preparing to enter the workforce?
Invest in internships! Learn from real-world experience and add value in the areas of expertise you have. Do not be afraid. Network with your peers, their parents, and past graduates.
What is your favorite part about OU’s Gaylord College that prospective students should know?
The College is committed to growth and being at the cutting edge of PR and marketing. They will inspire you to be great!
What's it like to work for Paycom?
Paycom is a dream job. It is fast-paced and high-growth, so there is a challenge around each corner.
What have you learned at Paycom that you wish was taught (more) at Gaylord?
There is no substitute for real-world experience, especially in PR. Going more in-depth and practicing media relations, investor relations, and community relations would have been helpful to know.
What is your favorite part about working at Paycom that you want future alumni to know and (potentially) work here?
If you can dream, you can build it here at Paycom. I work with the best and brightest, not only in Oklahoma but the world. I love waking up each day and going to work.
What do you do for Paycom?
I oversee a growing and award-winning team of PR pros who lead our traditional media relations tactics in addition to reputation management and research.
What did you study at Gaylord College?
Started as a Journalism major but ended up switching to Public Relations.
Favorite class and/or professor?
I’m not athletic in the slightest, but I loved taking Sports PR since it was such a fun and creative class.
What is something you learned while at Gaylord that has been applicable to your work at Paycom?
AP Style! But seriously, Gaylord really set up all the fundamentals of journalistic writing, ethics, research, etc. that have served me well over the years. While the real world hasn’t allowed for full consideration of the RACE formula for every PR Campaign, simply having that knowledge framework is critical.
Now that you're in the corporate world, what would be your advice to students preparing to enter the workforce?
Don’t underestimate journalistic curiosity and a well-written media pitch. Old-school media relations haven’t been replaced yet, and while our tactics to manage brands and communicate to audiences have grown and changed, the basics still have a huge impact.
What's it like to work for Paycom?
When I first interviewed at Paycom several years ago, my biggest fear was being “bored” in a corporate environment. But Paycom is such a high-energy company with constant growth, which means I get to help achieve big things. I get to take advantage of amazing resources, rare to most PR pros. We have a full creative team, writers, graphic designers, and multiple video studios and we have two full-time agency partners (local and national) that brainstorm ideas and help us execute on tactics.
What have you learned at Paycom that you wish was taught (more) at Gaylord?
Working with speed and intentionally managing priorities. Making rapid decisions for all those daily (minor) “emergencies” all the way up to big brand decisions. It’s been a while since I’ve been there, but if Gaylord isn’t teaching about modern reputation management yet, they should be. The new world of PR includes proactively and aggressively managing a company’s brand online across social media, Reddit, and review sites.
What is your favorite part about working at Paycom that you want future alumni to know and (potentially) work here?
This place will fast-track your career if you are willing to put in the work. We are constantly executing on great PR campaigns locally and nationally. Our reputation management team has built processes and tactics most larger national brands are still trying to figure out and catch up to. Our research team is growing and bringing in data that highlights our value as a company better than ever before. I love coming to work every day knowing my team is just as excited to tackle new ideas and goals.
What did you study at Gaylord College?
I earned a bachelor’s degree in creative media production, a video production track with a minor in film. I graduated in 2016.
Favorite class and/or professor?
One of my favorite classes was my After Effects class because that’s when I realized I wanted to pursue that for a living. I took it in the first semester of my last year. I knew I wanted to do post-production but there wasn’t anything I was passionate about until that class.
I have two favorite professors (neither taught the After Effects class): Scott Hodgson and George Lynn Franklin.
What is something you learned while at Gaylord that has been applicable to your work at Paycom?
In all honesty, I learned how to collaborate while at OU. We had to rely on each other a lot for projects because we had to do complete productions from script to post. You needed a crew, or you weren’t going to be successful. So, everyone was a crew member or an on-camera talent for each other. That also leaned into learning from each other’s weaknesses and strengths. I had gone to a technical school and Oklahoma City Community College before attending OU. So, several people had me teach them to use software that there weren’t classes for while I was there while they taught me how to use the cameras better. It was a great opportunity to rely on and learn from each other.
Now that you're in the corporate world, what would be your advice to students preparing to enter the workforce?
There is a big difference in set productions and processes when you’re in the real world. You don’t really know how demanding and intense it can be until you’re doing it for a paycheck. I never worked for OU Nightly, but I’m sure that gives you a taste of how fast-paced the real world is. You have to make sure you’re ready to keep up. As long as you communicate, collaborate well, keep an open mind, and learn from others, you’ll be fine. This industry is fast-paced and ever-changing. You have to be willing to learn new things. It’s honestly really exciting all the things you can do now with the technology we have today. It’s just going to keep getting better. Just make sure to keep up with your computer updates and always keep backups of your work!
What was your favorite part about OU’s Gaylord College that you think prospective students to know?
Take advantage of all the opportunities you have. Apply for all the internships. Do extracurricular activities. Get as much experience as you can while you’re there. This is how you start establishing yourself as a professional. I didn’t realize how important it was until my last year. Build those relationships. I guarantee you’ll be working with several people you graduate with in your career over time. Don’t burn any bridges.
What's it like to work for Paycom?
I love that Paycom really focuses on and supports your development as a creative. I have leaders who push me to follow through with the skillsets I want to learn. Paycom gives us opportunities to get better. They provide the equipment and software you need to do this. I’ve seen my peers, as well as myself, get so good so fast because they are able to learn new things. Everyone is passionate about doing the best work we can.
