Powering environmental consulting ambitions

Q: What sparked your interest in International Management?

A: I've always been passionate about fashion, and initially, I thought this would be my career path. However, the COVID-19 pandemic piqued my interest in the business world. I interned at a tech company, and my next role was at a Greece-based shipping company specializing in tankers. While focusing on finance and supply chain, I realized how vital shipping is to global trade and how interdependent countries are. This sparked my interest in pursuing a Master's in International Management to deepen my understanding of global business dynamics and management strategies.  

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

A: Northeastern was my dream school when I was first applying to colleges as an undergraduate. Coming from a small school in Greece, I wasn't confident enough to move to a major city at the time. This was my second chance.   

Northeastern's D'Amore-McKim School of Business was again my top choice for grad school. I'm grateful to be at Northeastern—it has a great reputation for career support and a strong international presence that will offer valuable connections and opportunities.   

Q: What are your future goals?

A: My immediate goal is to secure a job in the U.S., ideally in consulting within a tech or environmental company. Through my work in shipping, I've gained significant insight into environmental issues, and I'd like to continue this path. In the long term, I'm considering launching a startup focused on reducing carbon emissions and preventing fuel spills during natural disasters.  

I'm on my way! I've built a strong network of peers with similar aspirations, which is crucial for success in this field. I've learned so much in my supply chain management and strategy classes. In my entrepreneurship classes, I developed and pitched a new business idea, then applied feedback from the professor and classmates to refine my concept. These skills will be very useful one day if I decide to pursue my own venture.   

Q: How did your consulting project equip you with entrepreneurial skills?

A: Through the Community Impact Initiative, I worked for Behind the Book, a nonprofit dedicated to improving literacy in low-income communities in New York City. I worked to enhance the organization's online presence. I had no prior experience in these areas, but I gained valuable SEO, digital marketing, and online content management skills.  When I start my own company, these skills will be essential, where a strong online presence will help drive success.   

It was rewarding to see the direct impact of my work. Initially, Behind the Book ranked on the second or third page of Google search results. By targeting high-volume keywords and optimizing content, we boosted their rankings to the first page, significantly increasing their visibility.   

Q: How did your “Make your case” consulting project build your skills?

A: I completed a consulting project for Coca-Cola Greece, focusing on their transition into the healthier beverage market. I interviewed the CEO and analyzed company data and research to develop a viability and market assessment. My concept was to create a new seltzer product with fruit flavors to market to schools. While I couldn't recommend a product launch due to market saturation, I refined my consulting skills, analyzed real-world data, and understood market dynamics.  

Collaborating with a global brand was invaluable. I gained firsthand insight into how strategic decisions are made and saw the potential impact of my work on a company of this scale.  

Q: How has the Graduate Career Center supported you?

A: I'm grateful for the support I've received from the Graduate Career Center. Through career workshops and advising sessions with a career advisor, I improved my resumé, and I received compliments on it from potential employers, which has never happened before. With their support, I've connected with alumni for networking and participated in mock interviews to prepare for my job search. I've built the confidence to present myself effectively.  

Q: What advice would you share with future students?

A: A valuable tip I've learned is to connect with your professors on LinkedIn. Northeastern has a great network, and it's up to you to take advantage of it. Many students worry that professors won't remember them or be willing to help if they reach out later, but that's not the case. From my experience, they're often very willing to assist and can be incredibly helpful in finding a job.