Six-month corporate residency reveals a passion for brand management

Q:Why did you choose D'Amore-McKim?

A:I chose the D'Amore McKim Full-Time MBA program because of its community and corporate residency program. The corporate residency and Global Field Study are unique and priceless experiences. The class is a small community.

Q: How did you make a difference through your corporate residency?

A:My corporate residency was in brand management at Hasbro. My time was divided between an eCommerce strategy project and brand management on the Nerf brand. The eCommerce project culminated in a presentation to senior and executive level management.

In my capacity as a brand management resident, I supported a senior Brand Manager on two brands within Nerf. I worked on both marketing and product development for these brands. My marketing responsibilities included leading asset creation, such as a video for Amazon and spearheading a gift with purchase initiative. One of my most fun projects was organizing Nerf Day, a celebration of Nerf at Hasbro Global Headquarters.

My product development responsibilities focused provided pricing guidance and competitive intelligence. Daily duties often included working with and leading cross-functional teams, submitting trademarks, providing sales analysis, creating presentations for various stakeholders, and compiling several marketing, sales, and competitive intelligence reports. I was able to identify two strategic opportunities that progressed during my six-month residency.

Q:What new skills did you use in your corporate residency?

A:The semester returning from corporate residency has really been a standout in terms of skill building. During my corporate residency I was able to hone in on the skills that I most needed to develop for my next role. Most of the courses I have taken this semester focus on the ability to analyze data and specific marketing functions, such as digital marketing, market research, and brand management.

Q:What has been the biggest take-away from working toward your MBA at Northeastern?

A:My biggest take-away from Northeastern is the value of teamwork and allies. My peers at Northeastern have been invaluable in providing me with educational and professional advice and feedback.

Q:What can you do today that you couldn't do before you started your MBA?

A:With my MBA in hand I can confidently apply to challenging and exciting marketing roles in a management capacity. I am specifically interested in product development and brand management, which I did not have exposure to before starting my MBA. The overall experience at Northeastern has been extremely valuable, so it is hard to pinpoint just one experience. The international trip I took to Dubai and my corporate residency were invaluable to my personal and professional development.

Q:Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?

A: I look forward to working in management positions related to business, product, and brand strategy in the fashion industry. Most importantly, I will be continuing to challenge myself personally and professionally. D'Amore McKim has helped me develop the skills and network necessary to pursue my goals!