1. What was your major/minor and when did you graduate?
I graduated in May 2018 with a Bachelor of Business Administration: Marketing Major & Sports Management Minor.
2. What is your current position (title, company, location)? Can you describe a typical day?
I currently work for GoDaddy as a Jr. Social Media Manager. GoDaddy is based in New York but my position is remote (mainly due to Covid-19). A typical day is full of meetings with the social team, engaging on our social media posts, scheduling content, and analyzing content for end of the month reporting.
3. How did your major prepare you for your current job?
My business major required taking a wide range of courses. From international marketing to data analysis, I hadn’t realized how much I would be grabbing from these courses in my everyday work. Adjusting to a new role is way less scary when things feel even slightly familiar. I would say my major prepared me in that sense. Maybe I didn’t gain the exact skills I needed for my current role, but it definitely made me more confident coming in. Confidence is key!
4. How did you become interested in your field?
I knew I wanted to use my creativity in my field. With marketing, you need to be a good storyteller and know what works visually. You’re encouraged to come up with new campaigns and I love bouncing ideas off of my colleagues. I played collegiate field hockey my four years at UMW so a sports management minor just seemed perfect. Although my current role isn’t sports related, I can still see myself going down that route in the future.
5. What’s the best career advice you ever received?
Don’t be so hard on yourself if you don’t get the job. Going through the process of applying and interviewing is always great practice for the next opportunity you receive. The more you apply and interview, the more comfortable you’ll feel.
6. Was there a professor, advisor, or fellow student who made an impression on you or helped you when you were at UMW?
Both Woody and Lynne Richardson helped me see my full potential while at UMW. I would also like to thank Andrea Cordray for advising me years after graduating. Her advice helped me land my current job.
7. What’s your fondest memory of UMW?
My fondest memories are with my field hockey teammates. From practices to game days and even studying together in the Convergence Center, we always had a good time. Surrounding yourself with supportive people is key to being the best version of yourself.
8. Are there any special accomplishments you’ve achieved after college that you’d like to share?
After graduating I traveled to Armenia to volunteer. I ended up finding a great work opportunity there and stayed for two whole years. Living abroad isn’t always easy but I’m so happy that I took time after college to push myself out of my comfort zone.
9. How would your family or friends describe you in seven words or less?
Hard working, determined, kind, adventurous.
10. In one sentence, what advice would you give current business students?
Don’t go searching for your dream job right after college. Sometimes you have to just say “yes” to whatever comes along. After gaining experience it’s much easier to guide yourself in the direction you want to go in.
