Cynthia McIntyre

By Angie Zancanaro
Professional writing, junior

One Purdue alumna has been involved in some monkey business since she graduated in 1996.

Cynthia McIntyre, the senior director of advertising for www.careerbuilder.com, launched the 2004 ad campaign that featured a man working in an office full of monkeys. The ads first appeared during the Super Bowl that year and were so well-received by audiences that the company continued the campaign for two years.

"Quite honestly, we expected people would like the spots," McIntyre said. "But we really had no idea the amazing spread and popularity of the creative work. That was a nice surprise."

McIntyre, who graduated with a degree in mass communication, worked at a few advertising agencies before she realized it wasn't what she wanted to do. After coming across an opening at careerbuilder.com, she took it and never looked back.

"My entire resume was over on the agency side," she said. "Right now, I handle all the national advertising for CareerBuilder."

In addition to national advertising, McIntyre also oversees all collegiate marketing and event marketing for the company. She said that although the job was something she just came across, she really loves it.

View a CareerBuilder monkey ad

"When you get out of school, pursue what's interesting," she said. "Don't get frazzled if you actually end up somewhere you'd never thought of before."

One thing that sets CareerBuilder apart is that the company understands what employers and job seekers need, McIntyre said. The company is the leader of employment sites, with the most employers, job seekers and revenue. Now, McIntyre said, it's about expanding the company's vision globally instead of just in the United States.

While she was at Purdue, McIntyre said she learned more than just textbook lessons. She also learned life lessons.

"I grew up in Atlanta, so being away from home and finding out what I could do on my own, that was a great lesson," she said.

If she could do it again, there are only a few things she'd do differently. She said the college atmosphere gives students a group of mentors that isn't readily available in the real world.

"I wish I would have picked the brains of my professors more and kept in touch," she said. "I wish I'd talked to them about ideas or theories. In the real world, you don't have that."

Since leaving Purdue, McIntyre has found a home at CareerBuilder. She said it's important to realize if you're not happy at a job to not be afraid to keep looking for a place where you belong.

"If you find that the first position that you take isn't really what you were looking for, keep looking for a dynamic workplace."