Fashioning a Career in Business and Analytics

Lubin School of Business

Emi Matsumae '25 is developing new skills and discovering new interests through her internship with Ann Taylor LOFT. While she is double majoring in Digital Marketing and Business Analytics, she says her summer internship has reaffirmed her interest in each industry. Next to that, Emi says this career-propelling internship wouldn't have even been possible without the Lubin School of Business and the network she developed as an on-campus student-leader.

Lubin student Emi Matsumae '25 at her internship office standing in front of the corporate signage for Ann Taylor LOFT
Lubin student Emi Matsumae '25 at her internship office standing in front of the corporate signage for Ann Taylor LOFT

Emi Matsumae

Class of 2025

Currently Studying: BBA in Digital Marketing and BBA in Business Analytics (double major)

Current Internship: Marketing Analytics/CRM Intern, Ann Taylor LOFT

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

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Lubin student Emi Matsumae '25

Emi Matsumae is developing new skills and discovering new interests through her internship with Ann Taylor LOFT. While she is double majoring in Digital Marketing and Business Analytics, she says her summer internship has reaffirmed her interest in each industry. Next to that, Emi says this career-propelling internship wouldn't have even been possible without the Lubin School of Business and the network she developed as an on-campus student-leader.

How has the Lubin School of Business helped you prepare for your current internship?

I specifically chose the Lubin School of Business to get my business degree, as I love the curriculum that both my degrees offer and knew that these classes would ultimately curate the skillsets I'd want when I graduate. Before I came to Pace University and was researching as a high school senior, I clicked into the degree catalog to see what classes I'd be taking each semester, as they would make up my day-to-day for the next four years of my life. When I saw the names of courses such as Social Media in Marketing, Machine Learning for Business," and Visual Analytics, I knew that I'd love all eight semesters worth of courses that I'd have at Pace. I knew these classes would keep me excited and engaged while ensuring I was learning the skills that are considered relevant for my future in marketing or business analytics. No other school in my home state of Texas would have offered such specialized, modern courses that would help me stand out from other business students.

The classes I have taken at Lubin have tremendously prepared me for my internship, in both the process of getting the job offer and my day-to-day functions as the Marketing Analytics/CRM Intern. Direct Marketing (MAR 343) with Professor Harvey Markovitz familiarized me with the concepts of direct response marketing and how the goal of this type of marketing is to get an individual customer to "take action" (make a purchase, etc.). The marketing matrix explores all possible combinations of audiences, offers, and creatives to see the best factors to design a campaign driven by numbers and results. During this internship, I have been making a lot of monthly ROI reports of how LOFT/Ann Taylor's direct mail campaigns performed—all of which have been structured based on the marketing matrix. Other classes that have been useful are Intro to SQL for Business (CIS 143), Business Analytics (MGT 226), and Advanced Spreadsheet Skills (CIS 122L), as these classes gave me the hard skills that I use on a day-to-day basis at my internship. I use Excel and SQL to make all the reports that are sent to other departments.

What attracted you to this internship?

I had an internship with Noodle, an ed-tech company, last summer. I served as their Student Enrollment and Operations Intern and took advantage of every aspect of their program—doing coffee chats with professionals from different departments, learning about the ed-tech market and industry, and contributing to a large intern project from an enrollment/operations perspective. However, I wanted to focus on internships that leveraged the new skills I learned from my digital marketing and business analytics classes. When I saw that Ann Taylor LOFT had a position with the words "marketing analytics" in it, I knew I had to apply, as that was the perfect blend between my two degrees. I knew I would gain real-world experiences and tie them to the skills I had been practicing at Lubin. I valued finding an internship program that curated the interns' learning experience. The Noodle programming/curriculum not only focused on my growth within my department and my performance, but also made sure we were exposed to their leadership, learned about the newly developing ed-tech industry, and how to develop ourselves as professionals.

During my interview with HR and the department heads, I asked what the intern experience and programming would be like, and what we would have gained by the end of it. I was ecstatic to hear everything they had planned for the summer. The Ann Taylor LOFT internship program has had "leadership sessions" throughout the summer, where the cohort gets to ask questions of the current leaders, such as VPs, senior managers, and AVPs. As a student trying to kickstart a career, it was nice hearing how different every leader's journey was, seeing how their professional goals evolved as their careers progressed, and the lessons/tips they've learned along the way. I also appreciate how this company has such a welcoming and encouraging culture, as I've been able to reach out and easily have one-on-one coffee chats with employees, even as a freshly hired intern. I've formed connections with those from different departments, such as customer insights, performance marketing, PR, and more.

This internship has a project that we develop and present at the end of the program, which I have been looking forward to, as it allows me to apply and showcase the new skills and insights I've learned since week one. Lastly, I appreciate the hybrid work that I get to do, as I can be productive from home or go into the Times Square office to socialize and attend the intern programming. It's also really cool to see the behind-the-scenes fashion elements in-person, such as fabric samples, mood boards, design prototypes, and more—especially since I come from a business background and personally know nothing about fashion, haha!

Describe what a typical day looks like as an intern at Ann Taylor LOFT.

Since my whole department works remote, I get to go into the office whenever there are events for the program or whenever my manager is in the office so we can meet one-on-one in person. Whether I'm working from my dorm or in the office, my manager gives me a list of projects or reports to work on throughout the week, and I get to work at my own pace. The marketing analytics team values accuracy over speed, so I always take my time to review my workbooks before sending them for review by my manager. The work that I do varies from week to week, but that means I'm always learning something new, which is great. Whenever I go into the office, I get to chat with the other departments that come in person (such as the digital marketing team), see my intern peers, and participate in leadership sessions. These leadership sessions are always in-person, which is amazing, as I get to meet and form connections with top executives within the company face-to-face.

During the 2022-2023 school year, you served as the Secretary of INFORMS, an on-campus research and management science student organization and were part of the e-board for the American Marketing Association (AMA). How has being a leader on-campus helped you in your current internship?

Being a leader in INFORMS and AMA has helped me develop the soft skills necessary to stand out when interviewing for positions such as my current internship. Learning how to work in different team dynamics, managing my time, and connecting with my community are a few of the many skills I've strengthened thanks to my time on those e-boards.

Being involved in these clubs has also helped me expanded my network. Lubin has provided a community of professors, administration, and fellow like-minded peers. People constantly emphasize the importance of networking, and for good reason—I got this internship thanks to Professor Janice Winch, PhD, who shared this direct-send opportunity with the Business Analytics students. Had I not joined INFORMS during my freshman year, I wouldn't have added my second major in Business Analytics, but moreover, I wouldn't have met Professor Winch and been forwarded this amazing opportunity.

What has been the highlight or most enjoyable aspect of your internship so far?

One highlight from my internship so far has been learning how to pull, interpret in context, and summarize data for the weekly report sent to leadership in the digital marketing department. With the help of my team, I send the weekly summary report emails that the higher-ups read, which feels very rewarding. I didn't think the work I'd do as an intern, especially at a major corporation, would make an impact on day-to-day operations, but it does!

How has this experience shaped or impacted your career goals?

I've never considered fashion/retail to be an industry I'd enter, so learning all the trends and quirks of it has been fascinating. There are moments when I ponder the direction that I want to go in my career, and based on what I am hearing from the leadership sessions, not everyone knows what they want to do by the time they graduate. Being in this industry and role for the summer has challenged me to question what I truly want post-grad. Whether it be about the role, industry, company culture, or other factors, this internship has helped me open my eyes and think about what I'd want/value in the future as a professional (especially since I'm more than halfway through my academic career here at Pace). Aside from the self-reflection and growth I've experienced, I love how all the concepts I've learned in the classroom have come to life and connected full circle at my internship. All the reports and projects I've worked on have referenced concepts that I learned in class in one way or another.

How will this experience impact your next semester at Lubin?

This internship has helped reaffirm that I love the two majors that I've chosen here at Pace. My biggest concern was that I was overcommitting and specializing in something that I might dislike, but through this internship, I have gained confidence in the direction I am going. Now that I feel confident in the functions of digital marketing and business analytics, I want to fine-tune and see what industries or businesses I'd be interested in specializing in. I want to continue to explore a variety of industries while I'm still early in my career. I will definitely pay more attention to which industries my mind gravitates toward as I finish my courses with Lubin.

Cultivate authentic relationships, celebrate the successes of those in your circle, and keep all doors open at all times. Regardless of where you end up, people will remember you for the name you make for yourself.

Do you have any advice for other Lubin students who would like to pursue an internship in the future?

Take advantage of Career Services! They helped me optimize my resume to pass the applicant tracking system (ATS), polish my LinkedIn, practice the STAR method, and perfect my elevator pitch. By creating an established profile/brand for yourself, it's easier to market yourself and network with others, which will then be the gateway to your next internship. On top of that, cultivate authentic relationships, celebrate the successes of those in your circle, and keep all doors open at all times. Regardless of where you end up, people will remember you for the name you make for yourself. We can all learn and benefit from one another when we hear each other's stories and aspirations.

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As Students Head Back To School, Helping Them Rediscover The Joy Of Education By Encouraging Them To Learn From History

Pace President

In our partisan and polarized country, education has become disputed territory.

The news is filled with stories about battles and bans. About books that can’t be read, topics that can’t be covered, sensitivities that must be protected. In some parts of the country, curricula are being revised to ensure that American history is presented as only triumphant. Elsewhere, reading lists are being scanned to ensure that all depictions match with today’s mores.

Pace University President, Marvin Krislov
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In The Media

Exploring Mediums in Marketing and Data Science

Lubin School of Business

Lubin student Samantha Nieves '24 is going above and beyond at her summer internship with Cisco. Not only does she welcome feedback from her managers, but she's also not afraid to ask questions, learn new things, and take on challenges...And she isn't just a leader at Cisco. This fall, Samantha will serve as Chief Executive Officer of Pace University's on-campus chapter of the American Marketing Association. Equipped with her experience from Cisco, Samantha is ready to take AMA to the next level.

Lubin student Samantha Nieves '24

Samantha Nieves

Class of 2024

Currently Studying: BBA in Advertising and Integrated Marketing Communications with a minor in Business Analytics

Current Internship: Business Analyst Intern, Cisco

Pronouns: She/Her

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Lubin student Samantha Nieves '24

Samantha Nieves is going above and beyond at her summer internship with Cisco. Not only does she welcome feedback from her managers, but she's also not afraid to ask questions, learn new things, and take on challenges...And she isn't just a leader at Cisco. This fall, Samantha will serve as Chief Executive Officer of Pace University's on-campus chapter of the American Marketing Association. Equipped with her experience from Cisco, Samantha is ready to take AMA to the next level.

How has the Lubin School of Business helped you prepare for your current internship?

The Lubin School of Business has provided a great foundation for my academic and professional careers. Lubin provides many opportunities for students to get involved with real-world experiences unlike any other university. My roles on campus, in the classroom, and in my internship are all led by Lubin. Without the inspiring professors, academic counselors, and wonderful student body, I would never be able to have the opportunities I have today.

What attracted you to this internship?

My interest in this internship came from my role in the American Marketing Association. I found my passion for data analysis by attending the AMA International Collegiate Conference and translated that into my career decision process. Cisco's role as a Business Analyst Intern allows me to continue to explore my interest in data while being able to dive into alternative roles in the marketing field.

Describe what a typical day looks like as a Business Analyst Intern at Cisco.

Because Cisco is based in California, my mornings are a bit more of a "catch-up," but my day always starts with a cup of coffee...and then deciding if I want to go into the office. My day then consists of emails, intern events, and one-on-one meetings to dive deeper into my projects and ensure my progress continues as I near presentations. After a few more Excel sheets, meetings, and data holes, I finish my workday around 5:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m.

What has been the highlight or most enjoyable aspect of your internship so far?

The highlight so far has been my team—I have never met such wonderful people who continue to push me to my fullest potential. I have never been afraid to ask questions, speak my mind, or challenge something, and with that, I have never been afraid to be given feedback. I am treated as an equal, which is very refreshing. Another highlight has been being able to choose my intern project! As daunting as it sounds, having support from my team to pursue my ideas has been nothing short of perfection.

How has this experience shaped or impacted your career goals?

Through my internship, I have found a new career path that truly interests me. Being a part of the Cisco family is eye-opening—I am encouraged to explore alternative career paths from my major. During my interview process, my current manager told me to explore "mediums" within the marketing field. She explained that there is no point in limiting myself to my major as there is so much to explore and that limiting myself would only hurt me in the end.

How will this experience impact your next semester at Lubin?

The impact Cisco will have on my upcoming semester will be tremendous. I was able to truly learn valuable technical and non-technical skills that I will use in my role as a student organization leader and as student at Lubin. As I approach my senior year, I believe I have finally found something I am passionate about, and I can't wait to explore all the opportunities it will bring me.

Value everything you are given, and do not be afraid to take risks. Connect with as many people as you can, make an effort to learn new things, and most of all, make the most of the time you have at your internship—not everyone has the same opportunities you do.

Do you have any advice for other Lubin students who would like to pursue an internship in the future?

Advocate for yourself and give yourself the credit you deserve. The more doubt you put into yourself, the more limits you set, and you will ultimately hinder your own growth. You are worthy, valued, and should be treated with respect. Value everything you are given, and do not be afraid to take risks. Connect with as many people as you can, make an effort to learn new things, and most of all, make the most of the time you have at your internship—not everyone has the same opportunities you do.

Connect with Samantha Nieves on LinkedIn

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Texans Claim OT Jacky Chen Off Of Waivers - NFL Tracker

Athletics

The Houston have claimed offensive tackle Jackie Chen off of the waiver wire, the team announced Tuesday. Chen, an undrafted free agent out of Pace University, was signed by the Vikings in May. However, the Vikings waived Chen on Monday in favor of Chim Okorafor, freeing him up for the Texans to sign on Tuesday.

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In The Media

The Importance of Promoting Academic Integrity in the Age of AI

Dyson College of Arts and Science

A Pace University associate professor in New York recently emphasized the significance of promoting academic integrity among students, especially when it comes to the use of technology. Dr. Elmer-Rico Mojica spoke about the risks and benefits of generative AI tools in teaching and research during a webinar hosted by the Technological Institute of the Philippines.

Dr. Mojica urged educational institutions to establish clear boundaries and ethical considerations when integrating artificial intelligence into education. He suggested that teachers inform their students about what is acceptable and what is not in terms of AI use, and encouraged educators to include these guidelines in their syllabi.

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Diversity and Equity

Simon said: "As the incoming LGBTQ+ Advisory Board Chair, I am humbled by the opportunity to collaborate with County Executive Latimer during this pivotal moment for LGBTQIA+ rights around the nation and in our Community." Simon, the Director of the Office of Gender and Sexuality at Pace University, is an accomplished educator, prolific author, awardee of numerous grants and has been recognized for their exceptional LGBTQA+ advocacy work. Now, Simon will continue their efforts, alongside the Advisory Board, with this new added role.

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In The Media

A Dancer's Killing — Over Voguing — Highlights the Dangers Black LGBTQ Americans Face

Dyson College of Arts and Science

Dyson Professor Melvin Williams speaks about O’Shae Sibley, a 28-year-old professional dancer and choreographer that was killed while voguing to Beyoncé’s music.

The style of improvisational dance, which emerged from the Harlem ballroom scene of the late 20th century, remains a way for LGBTQ people to “vocalize creativity, pride and survival in a queerphobic society,” says Melvin Williams, a professor of communication studies at Pace University in New York.

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Professor Bennett Gershman provides insights about how Donald Trump will defend himself as Georgia state prosecutors allege he and 18 co-defendants conspired to illegally change the results of the 2020 election.

"These are all 'word crimes,' and word crimes can be just as serious as crimes involving physical actions," said Pace University law professor and former prosecutor Bennett Gershman.

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Elisabeth Haub School of Law Professor Katrina Kuh speaks with The City about what the landmark climate ruling in Montana means for New York.

“The court made it very clear that climate — and a stable climate — resides within the guaranteed clean and healthy environment,” said Katrina Kuh, an environmental law professor at Pace University Haub School of Law.

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