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Olena Hauser

Internal Audit Senior Analyst, Goldman Sachs

Class of 2020
BBA in International Management

Member Of: Alpha Chi National Honor Society, Sigma Alpha Pi National Honor Society of Leadership And Success, Sigma Delta Tau Sorority, Financial Women's Association

Meet Olena Hauser, an international management major with a minor in internal auditing who relied on the support of Pace University and achieved her dreams. As a Ukraine native who moved to the US when she was 12 years old (and still eats pierogies every week), Olena didn't take the opportunities offered by Lubin for granted. In addition to being a very involved student, Olena has been an active participant of the Dean's Roundtable Initiative, a part of the Wall Street Exchange Program, and a recipient of the Figueroa Family Fund Scholarship. The latter was what allowed her to study abroad, a key part of her Pace Path, which came full circle with a full-time offer from Goldman Sachs.

Why did you choose Pace University and the Lubin School of Business?

As a high school cheerleader, I always imagined myself attending a traditional football university. However, with a little push from my parents, I decided to spend my collegiate years in the heart of New York City. Pace University and the Lubin School of Business' rigorous curriculum has provided me with a powerful platform for my knowledge, but essentially the university's core value of opportunitas. By attending Pace University, a world full of new possibilities opened up to me—a world that I could not have imagined in my wildest dreams.

Tell us a bit about your study abroad experiences. How have they helped you achieve your career goals?

I have been extremely fortunate to have studied abroad twice so far. During the summer of my freshman year, I attended the BI Norwegian Business School in Oslo, Norway, and during the spring semester of my junior year I went to John Cabot University in Rome, Italy. While I was abroad, I traveled to a total of six countries and 29 cities. I embarked on a period of discovery and everlasting self-growth and realization of my dreams in the developing world. As I studied in Oslo, I fully grasped the Scandinavian leadership model, the beautiful fjords and mountains, the appreciation for the ten-hour hike to Trolltunga, and why Norway coveted the title of the Happiest Country on Earth. However, at John Cabot University, Rome was my classroom as I immersed myself in the Eternal City. The incredibly life challenging experience gave me a chance to enhance my Italian language skills as I uniquely comprehended how to socially navigate among diverse individuals and how to cook spaghetti alla carbonara. As anthropologist Miriam Adeney stated, "You will never be completely at home again, because part of your heart always will be elsewhere. That is the price you pay for the richness of loving and knowing people in more than one place."

"The rigorous curriculum has provided me with a powerful platform for my knowledge, but essentially the university's core value of opportunitas. By attending Pace University, a world full of new possibilities opened up to me–a world that I could not have imagined in my wildest dreams."

You have also been a Peer Leader for three years, tell us about the impact of that experience.

This year marks my third year as a University 101 Peer Leader at Pace University. This extracurricular experience is especially close to my heart, as I very much enjoy working with the Lubin School of Business advisors, but primarily first semester students at Pace. The credit-bearing course is designed to address the transition from high school to college, introduce students to the resources that are available at Pace, and facilitate success in the college environment. My position is intended to serve as a role model and a source of advice and information on what life is like as a Pace University student. Essentially, being able to identify with the students gives me an opportunity to help build their own sense of community as I once did, but most of all create everlasting relationships with my UNV 101 students.

What motivates you to work hard?

I am continuously inspired by my mom, the woman who is everything I aspire to be. As I get older, I continue to realize how fortunate I am to have someone who so deeply cares about me. When I was only eight years old, my mom had sacrificed everything in order for me to have opportunities she never had. For instance, I moved to the United States from Ukraine at the age of twelve; in May I will be graduating from a top ranking, private university; and as a senior at Pace University I have already accepted a full-time job offer. I have truly learned the meaning of appreciation and will eternally focus on my faith and inspiration to always do my best in life and make my family proud.

What are your plans for after graduation and how does Lubin fit into that vision?

With much gratitude, I am ecstatic to announce that I have accepted a full-time offer at Goldman Sachs as an Internal Audit Analyst. I am especially grateful for the unconditional support from my family, friends and mentors, but most importantly, I would like to thank the Lubin School of Business and Dean Braun for giving me the knowledge and encouragement necessary to realize my full potential. My achievement is a true illustration of Pace University's vision of opportunitas and aspirations of excellence.

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Gabriella Farino

Tax Accountant, family business

Class of 2020
BBA in Accounting/MS in Taxation

Member Of: Beta Alpha Psi, Ernst & Young Fund For Excellence In Accounting Education, PCAOB Scholarship

Meet Gabriella Farino '20, a New York native pursuing a BBA in Public Accounting and MS in Taxation. Her active involvement as a student leader during her time at Pace hasn't gone unnoticed. As a student in Pace's Pforzheimer's Honors College and President of the Pace chapter of Beta Alpha Psi, Gabriella is now a recipient of the Ernst & Young Fund for Excellence in Accounting Education scholarship and the 2019 Public Company Accounting Oversight Board scholarship. Although it is clear that Gabriella spends a lot of time studying, she hasn't let this get in the way of her passion for traveling. This past summer she got to visit five different countries! Get to know more about her Pace Path here.

Why did you choose Pace University and the Lubin School of Business?

I chose Pace University because I loved the location. There is no place like Manhattan, especially downtown by Wall Street where there are so many job opportunities and so much to experience. I chose the Lubin School of Business because it offered an amazing combined degree program for accounting students seeking a CPA designation, where they can receive their 150 credits to sit for the exam, while getting a master's degree too!

I have been at Deloitte for over a year now, working in their Private Wealth Tax Practice. My experiences have been incredible! I get to see so many different aspects of tax that I truly don't believe I would get to see anywhere else. I also get to see what the workforce at a public accounting firm is really like, from getting the freedom to work from home, to bonding with my team, to getting to participate in firm-sponsored events.

Tell us a bit about your internship experiences. How will you apply what you learned at your internships to the rest of your career? What comes next?

The summer going into my second year at Pace University, I secured an internship at Goldman Sachs in their State and Local Indirect Tax department. Interning at Goldman Sachs was a great experience and it expanded how I think about tax. Before my third year of college, I decided to go on to work at a Big Four Accounting firm. I have been at Deloitte for over a year now, working in their Private Wealth Tax Practice. Interning at Deloitte has been an incredible experience! I get to see so many different aspects of tax that I truly don't believe I would get to see anywhere else. I also get to see what the workforce at a public accounting firm is really like, from getting the freedom to work from home, to bonding with my team, to getting to participate in firm-sponsored events. I am super excited to say, I will be starting my CPA journey this upcoming winter and then I will be starting with Deloitte full time upon graduation

Congratulations on being one of the 207 recipients of the 2019 PCAOB scholarship! What motivates you to work hard?

Living in New York City is my motivation to work hard and strive for the next best. I feel like there is always something new and exciting to be discovered and you can't stop working hard if you ever want to achieve it. I have also been more than lucky to have had my parents help finance my education at Pace. If there is anything I can do to pay them back with gratitude, I will.

Do you have any advice for other Lubin students looking for internships?

I would tell them to join student organizations. I would not be where I am now if I didn't join Beta Alpha Psi as a freshman. You might not realize how much you are developing personally and professionally through the connections you make while you're going through the motions, but it is all so beneficial.

What does #LubinLife mean to you?

#LubinLife to me means that there are so many opportunities that Lubin offers and you need to take advantage of them. You only get to go through college once and you should make the most of it because before you know it, you will be on to the next exciting stage of your life.

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Manushi Dave

Human Resources Coordinator, Christie's

Class of 2020
MS in Human Resources Management

Member Of: Human Resources and Talent Management Club

Meet Manushi Dave '20, an international student from Mumbai, India, who since starting her studies at Lubin has been on a professional development journey where she doesn't let one day go to waste. As a student leader, graduate assistant, and intern, she has been making it a point to learn about her limitations and expand her skill set every day. She describes herself as an optimist, which is probably why she buys more books than she could ever read! Overall, she is an incredibly hard-working and inspiring student. Having just finished her summer internship at a human resources firm, we talked to her about her experiences there and how she made the most out of them.

Why did you choose Pace University and the Lubin School of Business?

To begin, Pace University had the advantage of having New York City as its campus and that itself was a huge window of opportunity for me. The main reason why I chose Lubin was that the courses offered seemed to be a perfect fit for me and I knew that I would get a lot of chances to tailor my degree requirements to my interests while making sure I got the exposure and education I was seeking. When I looked more into the professors and their backgrounds, it was clear to me that Lubin would be a perfect fit. Additionally, the various student organizations and an excellent Career Services department were what solidified my choice of Pace and the Lubin School.

What type of opportunities and resources have you been taking advantage of as a graduate student at Lubin?

In my first semester at Lubin I joined the Human Resources and Talent Management Club as a member of the Executive Board. Going into the second semester, I became the President of this graduate student organization. I have also attended various resume building workshops hosted by Career Services. I applied to various internships through Handshake and I was able to secure an internship with Jennison Associates LLC, as a Human Resources Intern.

I had the chance to develop my skill set throughout my internship, and how it directly impacts your performance. It was the most enriching experience to be part of an organization like Jennison.

Tell us a bit about your internship experience.

Jennison Associates is an investment services firm. Interning at Jennison was one of the most enriching experiences I've ever had. I gained insights into the workings of a high-level service firm and learned about the various aspects of human resources. The most interesting part of the internship was that I was able to transfer all the knowledge that I gained in the classroom to a real-life workplace environment. I had the chance to develop my skill set throughout my internship. I understood the importance of team building, consistency, and on-going and constructive feedback, and how it directly impacts your performance.

How will you apply what you learned there to the rest of your career? What comes next?

Through this internship, I was able to learn and study my strengths and weaknesses very closely. I know now that moving forward I would like to work on them and prepare myself better for future opportunities. This internship helped me look more closely at a specific area of interest under the human resource umbrella, and I want to now build my career path along the lines of recruitment and talent management. Lubin has introduced a new course for talent management this coming Fall semester, and I could not have asked for a better course to directly help me learn about talent in general.

What motivates you to work hard?

My motivation for working hard is looking forward to the growth and learning opportunities presented to me. I like setting an ambitious and rewarding goal for myself, which becomes my complete focal point and keeps me motivated. I make sure I plan everything around that goal and give it 100%. I am very optimistic, so I work with the mindset that I am going to gain something that helps me to be happy and patient when things get stressful.

Do you have any advice for other Lubin students looking for internships?

My advice to Lubin students looking for internships is: start early, be prepared, and tailor your resume and cover letter for every single company after studying the company thoroughly. Don't be afraid to reach out to your contacts; you never know what might work. Make use of LinkedIn and connect to people and network with them. As generic as this sounds, it can do absolute wonders. Take short certification courses that might help you stand out. As tedious as the process is, the end result is equally rewarding. Just don't give up!

What does #LubinLife mean to you?

Going from a Student Assistant, to a Graduate Assistant, to becoming the President of a student organization club, Lubin has been nothing but a home to me. #LubinLife means complete hustle. There is so much to do within Lubin that you can never be left without anything to do. It is a place for growth, learning, and overall development. By the time you're done with school, only then will you realize how much of an impact Lubin had on your life.

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Tandeika Johnson

Marketing Strategist, Copywriter, Social Media Marketer, Podcaster (self-employed)

Class of 2020
MS in Social Media and Mobile Marketing

Member Of: IDM Lab

Meet Tandieka Johnson '20, a Guyanese native in her second year of the MS in Social Media and Mobile Marketing program. Tandieka is an aspiring writer and non-profit marketer who has her own blog. Within the last academic year she has been a Graduate Assistant in Lubin's Office of Communications and External Relations, a member of the IDM Lab, and now, a Social Media Marketing Summer Intern for Endeavor. Tandieka knows exactly how to take advantage of the opportunities offered at Pace, and that is what we discussed.

Why did you choose Pace University and the Lubin School of Business?

I chose Pace University and the Lubin School of Business for several reasons. First of all, I wanted to study in NYC and I wanted to do a program of study that focused on social media marketing, which is pretty unique. Additionally, the Lubin School of Business has a great track record of helping students to find employment post-graduation and has a great Graduate Assistantship program. Lastly, as an international student I wanted to be in a community that had a diverse international student body.

What type of opportunities and resources have you been taking advantage of as a graduate student at Lubin?

I've been a part of the IDM Lab where we get the opportunity to work as a real advertising agency functioning inside of the school, coming up with creative ideas to promote real companies.

I've also participated in the Dean's Roundtable Series where I have been able to listen to and ask Lubin alumni questions related to how they became successful. This is an occasion where alumni share their wisdom with us. Additionally, I've had the opportunity to serve as a panelist offering my insights on the international student experience in New York. The panel was hosted by President Krislov and Assemblywoman Yuline Niou of the District 65 of New York.

As a Graduate Assistant in Lubin, the opportunity to work on the planning and execution of Executive in Residence events has been really significant. Being able to attend these events, listen to the executives, and ask questions in a larger setting, as well as at the smaller student leaders meeting, is very impactful. This is a valuable experience that I think more students should be taking advantage of. The opportunity to hear the first-hand stories of executives about how they attained their success is invaluable. EIRs Chris O'Leary and Heidi Davidson were excellent in their presentations and willingness to network with students and to provide career advice.

Finally, I have also been utilizing Career Services' resources. I completed online training for international students and met with a counselor for advice on my resume. I have also attended numerous career and internship fairs and applied to internships through Handshake, the tool through which I found my current summer internship with the Wilson Center.

Tell us a bit about your internship experience and working with the Wilson Center.

I'm currently interning at Endeavor Global as a Wilson Center intern. The experience has been great so far. My business and entrepreneurial background as a Global MBA graduate and working professional has made the internship a perfect fit for me. Endeavor Global works with entrepreneurs in global markets helping them to scale up their companies. The company believes that it is possible for smaller companies to obtain success outside of the US and the Silicon Valley area. As the Social Media Marketing intern, I've had the opportunity to work with the Marketing Communications Manager to develop social media strategies and create content to promote the brand and the entrepreneurs that they work with. The Wilson Center has been very supportive throughout the internship. They have checked-in with my supervisor and I to ensure that both our needs are being met through our partnership. And I am excited about the opportunity to network with other Wilson Center interns when we all meet.

Being able to attend these events, listen to the executives, and ask questions in a larger setting, as well as at the smaller student leaders meeting, is very impactful. This is a valuable experience that I think more students should be taking advantage of. The opportunity to hear the first-hand stories of executives about how they attained their success is invaluable.

How will you apply what you learned there to the rest of your career? What comes next?

I've always wanted to work in the non-profit arena, and I've been looking for an opportunity to do so for quite some time. As I enter my graduation year, I am very happy that I had the opportunity to work with a non-profit this summer because it has helped me to really understand how my social media skills can fulfill the needs of a non-profit organization. Upon graduation, I hope to find employment with a non-profit that is making strides to improve the communities in which they exist.

What motivates you to work hard?

I am constantly motivated by the opportunity to make an impact through the work I do. Long after I've left any work environment, be it as an intern or a full-time staffer, I want to be remembered for bringing forth ideas that created a positive impact or for helping to meet KPIs and seeing a positive ROI for an organization.

Do you have any advice for other Lubin students looking for internships?

Don't underestimate the usefulness of Handshake and the Career Services office. Take advantage of the resources that are available to you there. It is also important to understand that it requires work to find an internship. Set a target for yourself on the number of resumes you want to send out weekly, and work to meet or go over that target. You can't send out one or two resumes during the entire semester and hope to get a response; the search requires effort on your part.

What does #LubinLife mean to you?

To me #LubinLife means taking advantage of the opportunities that are presented to you at Lubin and making the most of them. Because of my schedule as a graduate student, I can't always attend every club meeting or participate in every organization that I may have an interest in; but, when I have the time, I do. If your schedule permits while you're a student at Lubin, make the most of every opportunity that is available.

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Priyanka Eluri

Content & Audience Intelligence Analyst, HBO

Class of 2020
BBA in Marketing - Global Marketing Management

Member Of: Lambda Sigma National Honor Society, Lubin Sales Team, Pace Shakti Bollywood Dance Team

Meet Priyanka Eluri, a global marketing management student who doesn't take student involvement opportunities for granted. In her sophomore year, she became the Vice President of the Lambda Sigma National Honor Society. For the past two years she has been the Co-Capitan of Pace's Shakti Bollywood Dance Team, and this year she became a member of the Lubin Sales Team. Additionally, Priyanka has a passion for travel. She studied abroad in the United Kingdom and took that opportunity to start a travel blog. We talked to Priyanka about her experiences as a student leader and her internships doing research for Discovery Inc. and CNN.

Why did you choose Pace University and the Lubin School of Business?

I chose Pace University and the Lubin School of Business because of the vast opportunities available to students. Out of all the universities I visited during my college search, Pace was the one school that stood out to me because of how focused they were on getting their students prepped for post-grad success since Day 1. As graduation is nearing, I look back at the past years and immediately think of how lucky I am for all of the opportunities I have been given here, from being able to represent the Lubin School of Business in a national competition to studying abroad in the United Kingdom. Choosing to attend Pace is one of the best decisions I have ever made and it has set me up for success in so many ways.

You are interning at CNN this semester and have done five other internships. What have you learned at those internships and how will you apply what you learned to the rest of your career?

I started my internship journey in marketing, transitioned into sales strategy, and eventually found myself in the research and analytics space, which is what I have been pursuing for the past year at Discovery Inc. and currently at CNN. I think the most important skill that I have learned through these experiences is being able to adapt to different environments. Most internships tend to be only 10-12 weeks. On top of adjusting to a new role within this timeframe, you meet and work with so many different people — each one with a different work ethic and personality. I have found that being adaptable has helped me make new connections and succeed in my positions. Overall, I will inevitably have to adapt throughout my career, whether while working with new people or stepping out of my comfort zone in general. I am happy that I developed this skill early on and I look forward to refining it even more and putting it into action in the “real world.”

Do you have any advice for other Lubin students looking for internships?

The most beneficial advice I can give to other Lubin students looking for internships is to not get discouraged and to find the strength to keep going until you land that offer. More often than we would all like to admit, we find rejections in our inboxes and they can easily discourage us. Instead of letting a rejection get you down, use it as motivation to keep on applying; work even harder on those applications. Another piece of advice I can offer is to find and establish your differentiating factor and use it to your advantage while interviewing. Hiring managers interview so many candidates, but you want them to remember you not just as part of a group of candidates, but as an individual!

The best thing about being a part of teams in general is that you get to work with other students who have the same interests as you. Overall, these organizations have helped me expand my creative boundaries, develop my teamwork skills, and enhance my communication skills; these three things combined will definitely help me on my journey to becoming a well-rounded professional.

What motivates you to work hard?

Rather than starting off with what motivates me to work hard, I would like to talk about who motivates me to work hard. My mother, father, and older sister are the three people in my life who I have constantly looked up to. My parents came to this country from India 28 years ago. They tirelessly worked, studied, and assimilated to life in a new country all while building a better life for our family—and that is something that I am eternally thankful for. Through the ups and downs, my parents always kept persevering and showing us that anything is possible with hard work. My sister has always been a role model to me throughout my life, whether it was witnessing her walk across the stage at her college graduation when I was only fourteen-years-old or watching her take the entrepreneurial world by storm in her career now. All of this being said, what motivates me to work hard is the hope that one day I can make my parents and sister as proud of me as I am of them.

You are co-captain of Pace's Shakti Dance Group and a part of the Lubin Sales Team, tell us a bit about these extra-curricular experiences and how they can help you become a well-rounded professional.

Shakti is Pace University's competitive Bollywood fusion dance team. We compete all over the tri-state area against other colleges during the Fall and Spring semesters. I love being able to pursue my passion for Bollywood dance and keep my South Asian heritage alive while at Pace. The Lubin Sales Team is another competitive team that focuses on developing students' professional selling skills and putting them to use in competitions against other universities around the nation. I recently traveled to Bryant University in Rhode Island and proudly represented Pace University as a finalist at the Northeast Intercollegiate Sales Competition.

The best thing about being a part of teams in general is that you get to work with other students who have the same interests as you. Overall, these organizations have helped me expand my creative boundaries, develop my teamwork skills, and enhance my communication skills; these three things combined will definitely help me on my journey to becoming a well-rounded professional.

What does #LubinLife mean to you? (i.e. the Lubin culture)

When I think of #LubinLife, I envision like-minded individuals coming together to support and motivate each other on their journey to shared success and individual prosperity, both in and outside of the classroom.

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Ligia Galvao

Analytics Manager, Colgate-Palmolive

Class of 2020
MS in Customer Intelligence and Analytics

Member Of: Lubin Analytics Boot Camp, Alumni-Student Mentoring Program, Pace Pitch Contest

Meet Ligia, an international student who has earned two degrees, as well as worked as a business analyst in Brazil for nine years. She decided that she wanted to expand her horizons and start a new chapter in her life. Hence, she is now a Lubin graduate student and she has not taken the opportunity to attend Pace for granted. Ligia has been making it a priority to interact with professors and take advantage of their office hours. While participating in Lubin-sponsored initiatives such as the Analytics Bootcamp and the Pace Pitch Contest, she has been falling in love with New York City—constantly snapping pictures of streets and corridors, and sharing them on her Instagram.

You have a wonderful background in business. Why did you choose Pace University and the Lubin School of Business to continue your education?

When I was searching for a university where I could pursue my master's degree, I looked at several schools around the globe. My goal was to choose a school that would give me great experiences studying away from home and a school that had a curriculum that would improve my knowledge in the field of business analytics. As a prospective student, I sent an email to Dean Neil Braun with a couple of questions about the analytics program. He responded promptly and introduced me to the Graduate Program Chair (Marketing), Professor Ipshita Ray. They both gave me all the support I needed to make my decision. At that moment, I realized that at Pace University I would get incredible support to up-level my career. The industry experience that Pace professors have, as well as the curriculum, which is filled with practical classes where I can learn about software commonly used in big companies, helped me realize that Lubin was the place for me.

At that moment, I realized that at Pace University I would get incredible support to up-level my career. The industry experience that Pace professors have, as well as the curriculum, which is filled with practical classes where I can learn about software commonly used in big companies, helped me realize that Lubin was the place for me.

Tell us about your experience at the Lubin Analytics Boot Camp and what it means for your career.

I have a lot of experience in business, but I had never written a line of code before. I’ve realized that programming language skills are required for most jobs in most industries, and because of this, I looked at Pace University for some classes where I could learn that skill. Everything pointed toward the Lubin Analytics Boot Camp. What stood out about the Boot Camp was the opportunity to learn different programming languages in a short period of time. In four days, we worked intensively on hands-on, state-of-the-art tools in analytics, such as R, Python, SQL, Google Analytics, Tableau, and Excel Solver, to learn about data visualization, predictive analytics, text mining, and optimization.

Earning my certification in analytics was not an easy task. The Lubin Analytics Boot Camp is very competitive, and the intensive agenda is an extra challenge during boot camp. However, my background in business analysis and working with Excel helped me a lot during the program. The Lubin Analytics Boot Camp definitely prepared me to be able to help companies become more assertive in data analysis and make better decisions.

You were awarded second place in this year’s Entrepreneurship Lab Pace Pitch Competition. How has that experience helped you develop as a professional?

My partner and I have worked intensively for several months to develop a product that collects and analyzes unstructured data in real-time and had few interested investors. We are looking to offer our product to different markets and companies, such as drugstores, coffee shops, manufacturers, and hospitals. The first prototype had been presented during the sixth edition of Excel Weekend (the larger Excel event of Latin America) in Brazil. In a short period of time, we received invitations to present the project at diverse industry events.

The project was growing and we felt the need to test the business plan. We chose to enroll in The Sixteenth Annual Pace Pitch Contest because it is managed by The Entrepreneurship Lab at Pace. We know the high-level commitment and earnest work put forth by the Entrepreneurship Lab and its Executive Director, Professor Bruce Bachenheimer. It was the first time we were able to show the product outside of Brazil. This experience was a great opportunity to improve my skills in communication, leadership, and negotiation, and will have a tremendous impact on my professional life.

On top of being an involved student and active professional, you have a blog about business analytics; what motivates you to work so hard?

The results! I feel happy when I see companies making better decisions through data after my consulting. I really believe in data democratization and in the power of data-driven culture. As long as I find people who need to be convinced of this, I will continue to be motivated to work hard.

Do you have any advice for other Lubin students looking to develop their careers?

Listen to Pace professors and surround yourself with people who can add value to your career. Whenever possible, attend the workshops at Pace or the ones that your professors tell you about. I had great opportunities to meet professionals that I really admire during these workshops, such as Thomas Davenport and Jim Sterne.

Additionally, try to enroll in the Lubin Analytics Boot Camp. We live in a world flooded by data and analytical skills are required for all professionals, no matter what your major is.

My last piece of advice is to enroll in the Alumni-Student Mentoring Program. The program, managed by the Development and Alumni Relations Office, can help international students and domestic students get a leg-up on their careers; participating in an initiative like this can also be helpful for students in finding their first jobs.

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Melissa Correa

Sustainability / ESG Analyst, Citi

Class of 2020
BBA in Marketing - Global Marketing Management with a Minor in Peace and Justice Studies

Member Of: Student Government Association, Pace Sustainability Initiative, L.O.V.E Mentors College Mentor, Celentano Grant Recipient

Melissa Correa '20, a Global Marketing Management major on our New York City campus, came to New York from Florida in search of a global business education that would provide her with experience-based learning. With the goal of taking advantage of all opportunities that she encountered on her path, Melissa interned with Lubin's Office of Communications and External Relations. She has also had numerous leadership roles within the Student Government Association. This summer, she discovered her passion for the non-profit world through a Wilson Center internship. We talked to her about her internship and how she lives her #LubinLife.

Why choose Lubin/Pace? What set Lubin/Pace apart from other universities?

I chose the Lubin School of Business because of their emphasis on experiential learning, which suits me best, as I am a hands-on learner. Additionally, Lubin has offered me many opportunities to step out of my comfort zone and advance as a professional.

What types of opportunities and resources have you been taking advantage of as an undergraduate at Lubin?

I have been very intentional about taking advantage of the many opportunities offered at Pace University, specifically multiple internships, leadership positions, global learning experiences, and scholarships. Currently, I am interning full time at a non-profit called MindLeaps. I have also had the opportunity to work for the Office of Communications and External Relations at Lubin as the Marketing Intern. I was lucky enough to be awarded the Celentano grant for studying abroad, so next January I will be traveling to Singapore and Malaysia for an International Marketing Field Study course. As a part of my global education, I studied abroad in Barcelona last summer. Furthermore, I volunteer for a non-profit called L.O.V.E Mentors where I help teach high school girls in urban communities about college readiness, self-empowerment, and mental and reproductive health. Since the start of my college career, I have been an active member of the Student Government Association, taking on the positions of Public Relations Chair, Lubin School of Business Vice President, and Junior Class President. My sophomore year, I was a Peer Leader, a Pace Path Finder, and I interned at a fashion and hospitality Public Relations firm called Think PR.

Having a full-time internship with a company that does such amazing work for children in Africa is remarkable. Finding new ways to bring awareness to the cause is my main point of focus this summer. It has been great to see the importance of marketing in a field I have never encountered before.

Tell us a bit about your internship experience and working with the Wilson Center.

I was able to obtain a Marketing and Development internship at MindLeaps through Pace University's Wilson Center for Social Entrepreneurship. It has been great to be able to work with others that have a huge passion for giving back. MindLeaps is a non-profit that uses dance to improve the cognitive and social emotional skills of vulnerable youth in Africa in order to better prepare them for school and the workplace. Having a full-time internship with a company that does such amazing work for children in Africa is remarkable. Finding new ways to bring awareness to the cause is my main point of focus this summer. It has been great to see the importance of marketing in a field I have never encountered before.

How will you apply what you learned there to the rest of your career? What comes next?

I’ve learned a lot about how small non-profits work (e.g., donor relations, marketing for fundraising, and event planning). I have also had the opportunity to conduct research on various countries and their current events. After this summer, I plan to continue to work in the non-profit sector because I found that I enjoy working hard for a cause that I believe in. I hope to expand my horizons and learn more about international markets and different cultures.

What motivates you to work hard?

My family and future motivate me to work hard. I always set goals and try my best to accomplish them. My motto is: "always hold yourself accountable and make your family proud." Doing what you genuinely enjoy also makes all the hard work worth it.

Do you have any advice for other Lubin students looking for internships?

Start with Career Services and start early! Stop by their office at 41 Park Row. Everyone is extremely nice and helpful; they want to see you succeed and become the star they know you are meant to be. From hosting workshops to providing private appointments, they are a very good resource to take advantage of at Pace University.

In a few words, how do you define #LubinLife?

#LubinLife means community. Being an active student in the community and an intern at the Lubin School of Business, I see all the amazing things my fellow peers are doing. #LubinLife exemplifies the hard work and dedication we all put forth to further our careers and make the most of our time here at Pace University.

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Saul Pacheco Vidal

Marketing Science & Analytics Associate, YPulse

Class of 2020
MS in Marketing Analytics

Why did you choose Lubin for your masters in science?

I was looking for a master's program in New York City that would allow me to learn about marketing as well as teach me the analytical skills to work with data and make relevant decisions. Lubin's Master of Science in Marketing Analytics combines marketing classes with analytical courses that teach different software such as R, SPSS, and Tableau. I quickly realized that this program was the perfect choice for me. Presently, four months after graduation and six months after the COVID-19 pandemic started, I am happy to say that I am working full-time as a Market Analyst.

What was your favorite Lubin experience?

I had many rewarding experiences at Lubin, but the most exciting one was participating in the Group M Competition in April 2019. I got to apply my analytical skills to real data to create a profitable integrated marketing communications strategy. It was challenging and stressful at times, but it allowed me to prove my abilities as a market researcher. I would recommend this experience to anyone at Lubin who wants to take one step ahead in their career.

I advise you always to be immersed in the different activities that the Lubin School of Business offers, such as the analytics bootcamps, networking events, competitions, and more. Be ready to create your own path for success.

What is your main takeaway from our MS program?

My main takeaway is that you need to always look at the big picture. As Dr. Vishal Lala would say in his Market Research and Predictive Analytics courses, you need to be ready to clearly understand the data and the whole situation before jumping to any conclusion. You will continuously need to update your point of view because this world is continually changing, but once you master how to look at an issue, you will be ready to resolve any problem that you encounter.

How has what you learned in the MS program influenced your career?

Throughout my time at Pace, I was able to have two digital marketing internships in which I was able to apply my digital marketing skills (Google Analytics, SEO, SEM, and Email Marketing). I was hired as a Market Analyst at Camposol, where I used the analytical skills learned through my analytical courses for Price Forecasting and data modeling. I am happy to see how the knowledge I learned during my time at Pace has allowed me to move forward.

How do you define #LubinLife?

When I think of #LubinLife, I think of perseverance, hard work, networking, and extra-curricular involvement. I advise you always to be immersed in the different activities that the Lubin School of Business offers, such as the analytics bootcamps, networking events, competitions, and more. Be ready to create your own path for success.

Working with New York State Lawmakers, Pace Environmental Clinic students have initiated new legislation to reduce pollution from road salt.

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While sodium chloride, aka salt, helps ensure our safety by effectively keeping vital roadways clear of ice and snow, it also poses a significant environmental risk. All that road salt—millions of tons, according to US Geological Survey data—washes directly into streams and lakes. It’s harming plants and wildlife, and contaminating our drinking water.

Enter Pace University’s Environmental Policy Clinic, a course offered by the Dyson College Institute for Sustainability and the Environment (DCISE). Clinic students have come up with a strategy for tackling the dilemma of how to maintain wintertime public safety in an environmentally responsible way. Their proposal—to develop specialized training for anyone responsible for applying road salt—was introduced in both houses of the New York State Legislature earlier this year. If both bills pass and the governor signs the legislation, New York will become the first state to require the creation of such training, which would be offered voluntarily.

“The training program would teach the applicators about the environmental and health risks associated with road salt usage,” said Brennan Boudreaux ’21, Global Studies. “Furthermore, these training programs can enhance efficiency since the road salt often remains on the ground for weeks with no snow, and it is sometimes applied when weather is too cold for it to have any effect.”

Boudreaux was one of seven clinic students on the Pleasantville campus who together developed the language of the legislation and advocated for support.

“I took charge in narrowing down what exactly the bill should target and what was reasonable and effective,” said Boudreaux. This included identifying and contacting relevant agencies and organizations—including experts from Cornell University and the Cary Institute—and meeting with lawmakers. The legislation, Assembly Bill A8067 and Senate Bill S6519, was formally introduced by Representative Thomas J. Abinanti (D) and Senator Peter Harckham (D).

According to Director of Programming, DCISE and Clinical Associate Professor Michelle Land, it’s the hands-on experience and real-world outcomes that make the Clinic a unique learning experience. She has run the course since 2014, along with John Cronin, senior fellow for environmental affairs, DCISE.

“We teach students professional advocacy skills and then place them in the policymaking domain to apply those skills on timely issues, through lobbying, testifying at hearings, providing comments on proposed regulations, preparing briefing memos for government officials, and more,” said Land. “We know of no other program like it at the undergraduate level.”

Previous policy clinic projects have included New York State’s Elephant Protection Act, prohibiting the use of elephants in entertainment acts, including circuses, carnivals, parades or trade shows. Legislation that Pace students helped to draft and petition was ultimately signed into law by New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo on October 19, 2017.

“Taking the action steps, speaking up, going to Albany, planning, diving deeper into research, and making revisions, allow the idea of making a significant impact to be within arm’s reach,” said Bodreaux.

For the road salt legislation to move forward, it will be up to the next class of policy clinic students to keep the pressure on during the upcoming legislative session. They will be working on continued lobbying and advocacy efforts, said Land.

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Cayley Plotkin

Event Programming Manager, Digiday Media

Class of 2019
BBA in Management - Arts and Entertainment Management

Member Of: Industry Network for Arts and Entertainment Management

Where are you interning this summer?

I am the Domestic Touring Intern at Disney Theatrical Group right in Manhattan.

What made you decide to attend Pace University/Lubin School of Business?

Originally, I wanted to be a performer and I had a bunch of college auditions scheduled throughout the country. After submitting some of my audition tapes I realized that I did not want a career in performing and I had other business and leadership skills that I could definitely put to good use with a business degree. I knew I wanted to go to school in New York City and Pace felt like home after I first visited. It felt like a tight knit community of students, faculty, and staff who wanted to see each other succeed. Since being here my feelings have been solidified. Everyone motivates each other and wants to help you meet your full potential. My parents suggested the idea of going into the business of entertainment, a career path I had not even thought of. Once I got into my first Arts and Entertainment Management class I knew that this major and career path was for me.

What have you been working on at your internship? Has it sparked an interest in a career you hadn't already thought about?

As the Domestic Touring intern I work with all aspects of the touring productions of The Lion King, Aladdin, and coming soon: Frozen. That means I work on marketing aspects, creating scripts for television spots and organizing the media schedule. I also work on financial aspects. For example, I help project ticket sales and estimate the sales and potentials for different packages, such as VIP, at the different engagements. I also work on just general aspects of the tour. Additionally, all the interns from the different departments work on a project as a cohort to produce a hypothetical production of a Disney property that has not yet been brought to the stage. We put together the entire business plan and then present it to the entire company and the end of the summer. All I've done so far has just been in the first two weeks, so I am ecstatic about all the other stuff that is to come!

How does this internship fit into the puzzle that is your Lubin experience?

Since I started thinking about my career freshman year, I knew I wanted to work within the realm of children's and family entertainment. Of course, as part of that plan working at a company like Disney is a dream and fits right into the puzzle. Gaining experience with the front runner of live entertainment and Broadway is something that contributes to my Lubin experience. Not only will I be able to share this experience with other students, but I will be able to apply what I have learned in the classroom.

"I knew I wanted to go to school in New York City and Pace felt like home after I first visited. It felt like a tight knit community of students, faculty, and staff who wanted to see each other succeed."

Do you believe your internship experience has helped to prepare you for your future?

100%. I've had four internships now since being at Pace and each one of them has shaped me in some way. From some of the internships, I even realized going down certain career paths would not be for me! Each of them has been an immense learning experience. I've gained skills from each internship that have transferred over to another job, internship, or even class.

What motivates you?

I would say that other Pace students motivate me. Many of my friends are interns at great companies like Viacom, Nederlander, and NBCUniversal. Their success and motivation is what keeps me going and looking to the next big thing. We all support each other and help each other out to keep ourselves motivated. It's a really great environment to work and learn in.

Any advice for other Lubin students who are looking for internships?

I would tell them to never skip out on applying because they feel like they don't have experience. When I applied to work at Disney I totally felt like I lacked the experience I would need to work at such a prestigious company. I thought I did not have enough big companies on my resume to make a lasting impact with a Disney recruiter or my future supervisor. I applied anyway because I knew I had the basics like Excel and communication skills and I obviously could not know everything going in. I nailed the interview and I'm working here today. When I spoke to my supervisor she said that she actually did not like hiring students with a ton of internships and that knew everything. An internship is supposed to be a learning experience and hiring managers know that. Never pass on something because you think you're not ready.

In a few words, how do you define your #LubinLife?

I would say that #LubinLife is all about making connections that you can take with you after college whether that's from mutually supporting other students or spending extra time with a professor and definitely working hard and staying motivated!