"Saunders has a small, tight-knit community so I knew that I wouldn't be just a number in the classroom."
Why did you decide to attend Saunders College of Business at RIT?
Saunders College of Business was an easy decision for me since I knew that I wanted to go to a school where I could gain real-world experience before I graduated and the co-op program was something I was really excited about. Saunders also has a small, tight-knit community so I knew that I wouldn't be just a number in the classroom.
What's great about your co-op?
One of the things I loved most about working at Dixon Schwabl was the opportunity they provided us to learn about and explore each department at the company. In weekly meetings known as Dixon Schwabl University (DSU), we met with department representatives to learn more about what they do, why they love their job and how their department contributes to the success of the company. A few of my favorites included Public Relations, Human Resources ("How to Brand Yourself"), Content Marketing, and Account Service. Not only did this allow me to learn more about areas I was already interested in, but also opened my eyes to wide variety of ways I can use my degree after I graduate.
In total, there were 8 of us interns, each assigned to a department within the company. Although we worked on different projects for our departments, we had the opportunity to work together to propose an integrated marketing strategy for a non-profit client account utilizing re-branded social media, public relation tactics, and future digital media investment opportunities. I loved this project in particular because we got to meet with the client one-on-one and travel to their facility and see the potential impact our work could have. Knowing that they were satisfied with our final recommendations and seeing them put those ideas in action was really rewarding.
In what ways has Saunders/RIT prepared you for the job market?
Thanks to Saunders I know what it is like to work on a team project, multi-task and deal with challenges I'll face in the real-world. I'm gaining real hard skills that I can add to my resume that I will continue to strengthen both in- and outside of the classroom.
What do you feel is the most distinctive advantage gained from your Saunders Experience?
The people. The connections I have made at Saunders with students and faculty have allowed me to get to where I am today. Instead of competing against one another, students at Saunders help each other achieve more, whether its by reviewing each other's resumes or providing them with connections for co-op and job opportunities.