Brent MacCluer, BS '94
Job Title: Partner, AHM Brands marketing communications
Major: Journalism/Public Relations
Part of the Daily Emerald "Alumni Take Flight" Series

In 1993, Brent MacCluer started out by interning at the local FOX TV station in Eugene. By the time he graduated, he was working part-time. Today, he’s still located in Eugene as a partner at AHM Brands, a marketing brand development and communications firm. Brent is also a member of the Board of Directors for the UO Alumni Association.

What did your path look like from being a student to where you are now?

When I was at the University of Oregon I knew I wanted to work in media, so I went to the journalism school. The university seamlessly led me to a job, so it was a relatively straight line. I was lucky, though, and I know for a lot of students their path isn’t as straight as mine was. There’s such pressure to have everything figured out when you’re young, but you get lots of opportunities for restarting. You can always move to a new city or start a new job and find your way, so don’t stress too much.

What does networking mean to you?

Networking is very, very important. It is like planting seeds, but you can’t do it in a gross, manipulative way. You can’t go out into the world and say, “I’m going to meet this person because they’re going to do something for me.” It doesn’t work like that. You have to want to meet people because of who they are, to build friendships and relationships. It’s so important to network, because everything good that happens in your professional life will happen because of someone you know.

What should you avoid doing when networking?

You don’t want to network for selfish reasons. You want to network because people make your life better. You shouldn’t go into networking because you think you’re going to sell them something; you’re going to fail if you do that. Try to meet a friend instead and approach it from that angle. If your whole purpose for networking is selfish, you will fail.

How do you begin to network if you don’t know anybody?

I would get involved in your local chamber of commerce, and I would also work with the UO Alumni Association. Any time a past student calls and says, “Hey, I’m a UO grad,” I want to help them build connections. I would also volunteer and identify companies and industries that are interesting to you. If you contact a company that you’re interested in and ask how to get involved, like volunteering, the majority of business people will say yes to that and provide resources.

Do you ever have to fall back on networking as a safety net?

Every day of my life. Every day I interact with people I’ve met from random networking opportunities. In business, you’re always needing more connections, because people move and change jobs. Networking is something you don’t stop doing after your 20’s when you’re just getting started. It’s a lifelong activity you have to maintain and keep up with.

Does it get easier?

Absolutely, because there’s a lot more pressure when you’re young to have everything figured out and to build your network. When you get to my age, you realize you’re never going to figure it out all the way. The 25 years of networking behind you also helps once you’re here.

What would you say to someone who works hard and networks, but still isn’t making progress?

You make your own luck. It’s like baseball. You don’t hit the ball every time you swing the bat, but if you know you’ve done the work and keep trying it will happen eventually. If you’re out engaging with people and you’re trying, and you’re networking, you will get your lucky break. It may take a while, but it will happen. If you sit on the couch waiting for your lucky break, it’s never going to come.

Written by Cadaxa Chapman Ball, Daily Emerald Reporter