Q:Where is your hometown?
A:San Diego, California
Q:What did you study at the D'Amore-McKim School of Business and what is your graduation year?
A:I declared a Marketing concentration in the full-time MBA program and graduated in 2018.
Q:What did you do in your corporate residency? What were your responsibilities? How did you impact the business?
A:(I was) at Hasbro in their brand marketing department which was so exciting! I had the opportunity to network with several people from Hasbro since the beginning the program, and (it was great) to be part of such a dynamic, professional, and fun environment.
I was assigned to one of Hasbro's main toy brands and was a member of their marketing team, where I got hands on experience into what it is like to work for one of the largest play and entertainment companies in the world.
Q:What skills did you build at D'Amore-McKim that you are using in your corporate residency or will use in your future career?
A:I learned so much since the beginning of the (program), I almost felt like a different person. Of course, I had the chance to refine my business acumen and skills in subjects like marketing, finance, and accounting. Additionally, I think that a critical learning experience was learning how to manage an intense work load and extremely tight time constraints while keeping a positive attitude and remembering to “act like a sponge” (absorb as much information and wisdom as possible). As a career switcher, this was a skill I knew I needed in my corporate residency and beyond. I also learned a great deal about how to network in a natural way and how to make meaningful and lasting connections with people as I went along.
Q:What was the biggest take-away from working toward your MBA at Northeastern? What can you do today that you couldn't do before you started your MBA?
A:I think my biggest takeaway was that it is critical to take advantage of all the opportunities to network, even when you may be tired or feeling overwhelmed with school work. Alumni, professors, faculty, and especially your classmates all have the potential to be a support system and source of wisdom and clarity, let alone their potential to serve as connections in your future career.
Even after just my first year in the program, I had a firmer and well rounded grasp of the diverse elements that go into being a successful manager. D'Amore-McKim does a fantastic job of exposing students to a wide range of subjects and lessons in the first year that help shed light on where you want to concentrate moving forward, and things you may not have known coming in.
Q:What was your most valuable experience?
A:I absolutely cannot stress enough how rewarding the entire corporate residency process was. From initial Fall networking with different companies during the Executive Luncheons organized by the Career Services Center, to training and practicing for interviews and all the support given to you from faculty throughout this process, to successfully landing an amazing opportunity at Hasbro, I had learned SO much and gained so much perspective and confidence from the entire experience. You learn a lot about yourself, and it is so inspiring and rewarding to see an amazing team of faculty who are there to support you.
Q:Why did you choose D'Amore-McKim?
A:When looking into applying for graduate schools, D'Amore-McKim was always my number one option. From the start, I loved the feel of the Northeastern campus and how it feels like a real university campus despite being so centrally located in Boston. As I began to learn more about the program itself and the experiential learning opportunities (the Corporate Residency being one of them), I grew more and more confident that it was the right place for me. (With) all the things I have learned, as well as the relationships I have formed, it all proved to be right.
Q:What would you say to a prospective student considering D'Amore-McKim for their business degree?
A:I don't see how it could be possible to get a more well-rounded business education than D'Amore-McKim, or faculty that could be more amazing, supportive, and involved. D'Amore-McKim is even further differentiated by the small class size, which gives you an awesome opportunity to become close friends with your classmates and future colleagues.
Q:Where do you see yourself in 5 – 10 years?
A:My dream job would be to have a wonderful and fulfilling career doing brand marketing for a consumer products company in Boston.
Q:How has D'Amore-McKim helped you to become more?
A:D'Amore-McKim has given me the skills and resources I need to confidently and competently tackle any business or managerial challenge in my future with a calm and positive attitude. Further, it has given me the gift of a lifetime network of support and friendship from classmates, colleagues, and faculty at Northeastern.