Katie Li

When I was 25 years old, I had everything a 20 something wants—a good job in one of the world’s top marketing firms, an apartment in the one of the world’s most expensive cities, a stable relationship, and a loving family. I was about to settle down.

When my icon of teenager years suddenly died, a light bulb went off for me. If I don’t go for things I dreamed of NOW, I probably will not have another opportunity later in my life. Just as I always thought I would see my icon perform on stage, that day never came.

I decided to give up everything I had in China and came to the U.S. with nothing but a dream. After two years’ hard work in the country’s best IMC program at Medill Northwestern, I landed a job at Merkle, the largest privately-held customer relationship marketing agency in the U.S.

I doubted my ability to be a good analyst because I was a right-brain person. But as people always say, “God knows me better than I know myself”. I enjoy analytics even more than I enjoyed PR and advertising. I am working on Merkle’s largest and hardest account, experiencing firsthand how analytics reinvents businesses, and playing a strong supporting role in the development of Merkle’s Global Delivery Center capability. In addition, it is fulfilling to see my business communication and management skills from my previous career is adding value to the team.

For me, this is life’s second chance. And the best is yet to come…