Jason Karol

Why did you decide to attend Saunders College of Business at RIT?

Being the son of an RIT employee, I knew that I would be attending RIT. I knew that I wanted to get into sales and marketing to further my career. The program was most appealing to me due to the tendency for faculty to have real-world experience working for major corporations.

What's great about your co-op?

Every day, I know that I am making a positive impact on the overall student life experience by supporting and promoting the Clubs@RIT program, which impacts the daily lives of thousands of RIT students. I am empowered to make change and improve our program, and I am constantly tasked with extremely rewarding opportunities to reach out to fellow students. As well, I have gained an unimaginable amount of experience through my time with the Center for Campus Life. I work in a very fast-paced environment with a ton of things going on at once, so learning to multitask while exceeding deadlines has been awesome. I have had to improve my organization skills, and that has been a huge key to my success. Lastly, I have greatly improved my public speaking and interaction skills, and have gained the confidence necessary to do so.

In what ways has Saunders/RIT prepared you for the job market?

The faculty's real world experience has been the largest source of knowledge for me. While a textbook can teach concepts and ideas, real world experience is much more important. From the day-to-day tasks to problem solving and innovation, faculty were able to provide hands-on experience that provided a glimpse into the corporate and business world.

What do you feel is the most distinctive advantage gained from your Saunders Experience?

Saunders has provided me with the essential building blocks to success. By understanding the basic concepts of business and marketing, I have been able to apply this to my real-world experience. I have gained a ton of insight into the world of advertising and sponsorship, which has been instrumental in furthering my abilities as a semi-professional fisherman. One's success in the fishing industry is heavily influenced by their ability to sell products and gain sponsorships, and I believe I have gained a competitive edge due to my education through Saunders College of Business.