Jobs that Make a Difference: Joe Fierst
At Cengage Group, our mission-driven culture creates jobs that make a difference in the lives of learners. Working here means having a direct impact by helping students around the world discover the power and joy of learning. From Senior Enrollment Representatives to Senior Product Marketing Managers our people help give learners the choice in how, where and what they learn.
We spoke with Joe Fierst, Principal Brand Designer, about why he is passionate about using design and storytelling to make learning more accessible, meaningful and impactful for students and educators.
How does your role and the work you do help students and teachers?
As a principal brand designer, I help define how our brand is represented across the company, making sure everything—from marketing to product—feels clear, consistent and aligned. I focus on visually telling brand stories that connect with people, build long-term trust and reflect who we really are. I also work closely with teams to simplify and clarify our messaging so it’s easy for customers to understand, engage with and come back to.
What is something you're proud of that has impacted learners?
One thing I’m especially proud of is helping launch Cengage Unlimited, a program that makes learning more accessible and affordable for students. By providing a single subscription that covers all their course materials, we’ve been able to significantly cut costs and ease financial stress. Being part of bringing this program to life—and seeing how it gives students the resources they need without breaking the bank—has been incredibly rewarding.
What motivated you to work at Cengage Group and in edtech?
Over my 30 years at Cengage Group, I’ve been motivated by work that truly helps people, especially through education and improving lives. I enjoy contributing to the development of innovative learning tools while working with a supportive, collaborative team. The ongoing focus on growth—building new skills, learning from mentors and continuing to evolve—makes the work even more rewarding, especially when you can see the real impact on students and educators.
What has kept you at Cengage Group for the majority of your career?
What’s kept me at Cengage Group is the combination of purpose, people and the chance to keep evolving. The work has always felt meaningful—helping learners and educators succeed—and I’ve been able to grow and adapt as the company, technology and industry changes. Just as important are the people: I’ve worked with incredibly talented, supportive teams over the years, and that sense of shared mission and collaboration has made it a place worth staying.
In what ways have the opportunities at Cengage Group contributed to your career growth?
Cengage Group has given me the chance to keep growing by taking on new challenges as the company and industry evolved. I’ve been able to expand my skills, adapt to new technologies and step into roles with more influence and responsibility over time. The support, mentorship and trust I’ve had here made it possible to learn continuously while doing work that actually matters.
Based on your experience, what is the strongest element of Cengage Group’s culture?
From my experience, the strongest part of Cengage Group’s culture is its focus on collaboration and support. People genuinely want to help each other succeed, share knowledge and work together toward a common mission—improving learning outcomes. That sense of teamwork, combined with a shared purpose, makes it a place where innovation and growth can really thrive.
Learn more:
Cengage Group employees make an impact and change the world. Here, transparency and collaboration are core values. We provide challenging careers, competitive benefits, a strong technology focus and a great team of co-workers and customers.
To learn more and apply for an open role, visit the careers section of our website.