In this episode of "How the F**k Did You Get That Job," host David Jaffin sits down with Mike Wente, the Chief Creative Officer at Verizon, to uncover the fascinating journey behind his career. Mike shares his story, from humble beginnings in the Midwest to his unexpected move to New York City, and ultimately, how he landed his role at Verizon. Along the way, they discuss the evolution of ad agencies, building creative teams, pushing boundaries in the corporate world, and the importance of caring deeply about your work. Mike also reflects on the power of personal connections and tells a touching story about Verizon's involvement during 9/11. Join David and Mike for an inspiring conversation about careers, creativity, and embracing life's twists and turns.

Episode Highlights:

0:00 Intro 

1:36 Early childhood passions

2:38 How did you chose your college and how did that impact you 

4:06 Early successes 

6:43 Getting your first job out of college 

9:41 Moving to New York

13:03 Past history at ad agencies 

15:24 Transition going from agency to brand work 

17:23 Where did the opportunity at Verizon come from 

18:45 Initial goals when starting at Verizon 

20:18 How do you manage being creative and pushing limits while staying true to the brand 

23:35 Skills you look for when bringing on  people to work with you 

25:25 Something you are proud of at Verizon 

29:08 What’s something you’re proud of outside of work 

30:07 OpenFortune sponsorship 

30:27 Quick question round 

36:00 Outro