The Brian Lamb School of Communication Advisory Board is comprised of seven alumni from the College of Liberal Arts. Each member comes from their own unique background, but they all have one thing in common: their love for our school. These successful alumni travel from across the country each year to give strategic advice and support driving the Lamb School forward.
In preparation for the upcoming board meeting in April, I conducted interviews to help you get to know each board member. Kicking off our “Get to Know Your Advisory Board” blog series is Josh Miles.
A podcast host, keynote speaker, Chief Marketing Officer for two organizations, author, photographer, Lamb School Advisory Board member, and father, it’s no surprise Josh Miles is also a caffeine addict.
Josh Miles graduated from the Lamb School in 1999 with a double major in Communication with a focus in advertising and Visual Communication and Design.
What is your favorite Purdue memory?
Move-in weekend freshman year. There’s a newfound freedom when you’re exploring campus for the first time. You meet a bunch of people that would by your friends freshman year.
My favorite all-time Purdue memory would be getting to do the TedX event as a speaker.
Watch Josh’s keynote speech “The paradox of brand experience” from TedxPurdueU in 2014.
What impact are you making as a member of the advisory board?
I had a big role in rebranding the Lamb School, and that’s been a really fun project to work on.
Could you talk a little about your current role and how you got there?
I owned a branding and marketing agency for 16 years. I sold it to my business partner 2 years ago and went to work for one of my clients, Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) which is a membership organization in the marketing world specifically for marketers in architecture, engineering, and construction firms, so it’s very niche. I had been part of conferences as a member and a speaker and the timing worked really well to go on from the company that I owned.
Between everything you are a part of, how do you find work-life balance?
It’s really difficult to find work-life balance. It’s hard to find a work balance. I just get excited about a lot of things. I figured out later in life that I’m a Type A. I’m probably the most lowkey, chill Type A you’ll ever meet. I enjoy having an impact, and I like exploring new things.
Is there a project you are currently working on that is most rewarding to you?
Speaking and teaching. I like helping people understanding the topic, and leaving one of my talks they can walk out and start applying it. When you’re teaching, you can see people getting it.
Do you have a mantra or saying that you live by?
“I’m a big fan of the rules, but I don’t think they apply to me.” I mean this in a positive way. Don’t live by standards other people set. Do your own thing.
What is your top piece of advice for current Lamb School students?
I believe your college experience is largely what you choose to make of it. As good of a school as Purdue is, it’s up to you to go after opportunities and make the most of them. Don’t wait around for other people to hand it to you. You have to chart your own course and chase the things you are most interested in.
When he was at Purdue, Josh was involved in American Institute of Graphic Artists and Delta Sigma Phi fraternity and worked for Purdue Printing Services.
Any final thoughts you’d like to share?
I’ve been out of Purdue for just over 20 years, and as much as I thought I had charted my path, I’m still trying to figure out what I want to do when I grow up. I’d encourage current students to get comfortable being uncomfortable. You can change your mind or your career.
For more information about Josh or to connect with him, visit: https://www.joshmiles.com