About Christina
Country: United States
Previous Degree: BS in Business Management
Previous University: Providence College
Q: Tell us about your background and what led you to pursue your MBA.
A: When I was growing up, my father worked in business, and I always knew I wanted to follow a similar path. During my undergraduate studies, I discovered a particular interest in marketing and entrepreneurship. However, my program offered limited opportunities to explore those areas in depth, which ultimately inspired me to pursue an MBA.
Q: Why did you choose D'Amore-McKim for your MBA?
A: Being in the heart of Boston was a huge factor for me. I wanted to be in a city with many opportunities while still being close to home. What really stood out about D'Amore-McKim was the corporate residency. The opportunity to spend six months working full-time at my host company while earning my MBA was something I couldn't find anywhere else.
Another reason I chose D'Amore-McKim was the program's structure. I really appreciated that the MBA started with accelerated foundational courses before diving deeper into concentration-specific classes. I didn't want to jump straight into marketing and entrepreneurship without first building a strong business foundation, so the balance between core business knowledge and specialized coursework really appealed to me.
Q: How did the Graduate Career Center shape your experience?
A: The Graduate Career Center played a huge role in my MBA experience. Coming into the program, there were so many different opportunities and career paths that it felt overwhelming at times. Working closely with the career team helped me narrow down what I really wanted to pursue and build my professional confidence.
This confidence allowed me to fully leverage D'Amore-McKim's strong relationships with companies throughout Boston, which made the experience feel much more connected to the business world. The support helped me build relationships, strengthen my communication skills, and feel more confident networking and putting myself out there.
Q: What was your corporate residency experience like?
A: I completed my corporate residency at Later, an influencer marketing and software company. I worked on campaigns for brands like Kraft Heinz and Southwest, helping source influencers, negotiate contracts, and manage campaign execution. The experience gave me the opportunity to see how campaigns move from start to finish, collaborate with different teams, and work directly with leadership, where I received valuable feedback that helped me grow professionally.
Q: How did the Global Field Study experience impact you?
A: A highlight of the program was participating in the Global Field Study. For our semester-long marketing project, we partnered with a technology consulting firm that helps businesses get more value out of ServiceNow, a cloud-based digital workflow platform. Traveling to London to present our recommendations directly to the client was an incredible opportunity to experience an international business culture firsthand.
The experience pushed me outside my comfort zone in the best way. Instead of learning about global business in a classroom, I experienced it by engaging in real conversations, considering different perspectives, and encountering unfamiliar ways of approaching challenges. It made me more adaptable, more open-minded, and more confident when collaborating with people whose experiences differ from my own.
Q: How has D'Amore-McKim prepared you for your future goals?
A: In the short term, I want to continue building my career in marketing, with the long-term goal of starting my own business. Before this program, entrepreneurship felt like a distant goal. Now, I feel much more prepared and confident to pursue it.
D'Amore-McKim has given me the practical experience and confidence to take that next step. Through the coursework, corporate residency, and other opportunities, I've developed skills I can apply in my career today while also building the foundation I'll need to pursue entrepreneurship in the future.
Q: What advice would you give to future MBA students?
I encourage future students to take full advantage of the opportunities available and be intentional about getting involved. The support is there, from professors, staff, and peers, but it really comes from showing up, asking questions, and building relationships over time.
It is a challenging program, but it is also very rewarding. You learn a lot, grow quickly, and the connections you make along the way are just as valuable as the academic experience.
