Cameron LaRocco

Cameron LaRocco is proof positive that hard work and determination really do pay off. In Spring of 2022, Cam was taking Donna Davisson's MKT 495 Consulting course and her group had to present a marketing plan for Hose Master LLC, a manufacturer of metal hose and joints. "This project was one of the most challenging and exciting projects of my academic career," she said.
After graduating from Cleveland State in May of 2022, Cam struggled to find a marketing position that was the right fit. She saw an open position for a Sales Administrator at Hose Master and applied. The value of her hard work in school paid off. The owners of the company remembered her specifically from the class and opened up a Marketing Specialist role for her. She coordinates all of Hose Master's 20+ tradeshows and conferences each year. 

"I learned through experience that things are very different in B2B vs. B2C," she said. "Getting real world experience in the field and at trade showec me that we need to be as targeted and specific as possible. My next challenges will be working on our company's website and other digital assets. The team here is incredibly knowledgable and I enjoy working with them."

Team – knowledge base is incredible and enjoys working with them to show email marketing and approach through lead generation….

It’s fascinating and broad audience

Cam's first semester at Cleveland State was in August of 2018. She commuted via the bus for her first three years from Bedford, Ohio and says that she chose Cleveland State because she loved being in the city. "The size of Cleveland State was just right and the general atmosphere felt like home," she added.

Cam knew she wanted to be a marketing major. She is passionate about photography, writing and art and when she Googled "business jobs where you can be creative" marketing sounded challenging. Cam is very passionate about marketing and enjoys that it is always changing. She says it is a broad field but that you can "zero in" on an area you like.

"I never knew the manufacturing business could be so challenging and exciting at the same time," she said. "I'm proud to say I know more about metal hose and expansion joints than I ever could imagine."

"All of my professors were super-encouraging and my classes were really enjoyable and a key part of the knowledge base that I use every day in my job I learned at CSU," she said. 

"I have Donna Davisson to thank. She was one of the best professors that I had and introduced me to an opportunity that ultimately led to a marketing career in industrial manufacturing," Cam said. "If I had not been able to present to this company in her class, I would not have this opportunity."

While at Cleveland State, Cam received the Provost's scholarship all four years. "That was incredibly helpful and I am extremely grateful," she said.

Cam also worked in her family's restaurant, Blazin' Bills, for 40 hours per week. Cam leveraged her projects in her classes for the family restaurant and presented her projects to her family. "It was all based on real research and experience and very strategic," she said. "It was great to present to my mom and family and then create campaigns to help the family business."

Cam also interned for a local company, Troy Chemical and created their LinkedIn page. During a second six month internship at an accounting firm in Cleveland, Cam earned her Hubspot Certifications in Email Marketing, Inbound Sales, SEO and more.

Manufacturer of metal hose and joins – incredibly broad yet highly specified product – learning where the products are used and about the different industries that their products are used in….

I never thought about metal hose once and now it’s everyday.