Designing with EQ featuring Stephanie Skolnik, Sr. Manager Network, Audio Investment

Welcome to Designing with EQ, an ongoing series showcasing the talented people of Carat and their unique backgrounds, passions, and accomplishments. 

In this edition, meet Stephanie Skolnik, a senior manager of network audio investment at Carat US. Read more about Stephanie and her role in the Q&A interview below:

Q> What is one skill they do not teach in school that you use every day? 

Stephanie> I'd say adaptability. As technology continues to evolve, new processes are developed, and changes to our team occur, I'm acquiring new skills needed to adjust to changing working conditions. I'm constantly learning  to see changes on the horizon and determine the best path to grow and integrate. That's a really important skill they don't teach in school.

Q> What was your first job? What was the most important skill/lesson you learned?

Stephanie> My first job was as an assistant at a media agency. One of the most important lessons I learned was not to get discouraged when things go wrong, and to maintain a positive attitude. It's difficult not to feel disappointed when you make a mistake, especially when starting your first job,but we constantly make mistakes. Instead of dwelling on challenges and failures, I’ve learned to stay focused and offer constructive solutions, while maintaining an optimistic outlook.

Q> How has your career evolved since you first joined Carat? 

Stephanie> I've become more familiar with our clients and competent with sharing my expertise in the media space. Earlier on, I was balancing campaign development for multiple accounts, which narrowed my focus to learning to juggle and understand the nuances of different clients. COVID certainly changed the dynamics of how we work together. The landscape has changed from in-person presentations to online communication, which has become more of a norm. Also, as I've worked with various clients, my knowledge across the media space has grown, allowing me to offer thoughtful insights and opened opportunities to work on new business.

Q> What is your favorite aspect of Carat? 

Stephanie> I would say the flexibility and the ability to work remotely. This requires a level of trust, commitment and accountability with your team. It also requires an increased level of communication, which not only helps with our day-to-day tasks, but also helps to foster a productive and strong team culture.

Q> At Carat, I'm designing for _____.  

Stephanie> Connection, to help establish a relationship between their brands and a target audience to drive awareness and maximize growth, primarily in the audio space.