What were you doing 1 year out of college?
After I graduated in 2012, I went to work for as an associate consultant at Interbrand, the world's leading brand consultancy. Over the next four years, I was promoted to consultant within the general strategy group, and eventually moved into the analytics team to do more quantitative and research-based projects. I helped some of the world's largest brands understand their competitors, position themselves in their industries and shape their corporate identities. My clients were from industries as diverse as enterprise technology, aerospace, and luxury jewelry.
What are you doing now?
Moving into the analytics team at Interbrand was one of the best career moves I could have made. Not only did the projects feel more rewarding, but learning how to use quantitative research methodologies made me a stronger consultant. I was increasingly given more responsibility to craft recommendations and take on leadership roles on major projects. Soon after joining the analytics team in 2015, I worked on a research project for Adobe.
Since I was the only consultant on the project based in the Bay Area, I formed a strong relationship with my client and kept in touch after the project ended. In May 2016 when a research position opened up at Adobe, my client recommended me for the position and I was hired!
My current role at Adobe is Research Manager, and I work on a team that conducts primary market research for the Adobe corporate brand as well as for our Marketing Cloud, Creative Cloud, and Document Cloud solutions. My coworkers are amazing, I learn a lot every day, and I get to help a really cool brand make mind-blowing products and experiences.
In what ways has your UNH liberal arts education helped you get where you are today?
I wouldn't have gotten my jobs at Interbrand or Adobe if it weren't for my experience at UNH. They both require strong technical skills and subject matter expertise, yes. But they also require an understanding of current events, languages, culture, empathetic communication, curiosity, a love of learning and an ability to identify the virtue inherent in all things. No other degree cultivates that like a liberal arts education. It's helped me find meaning between disparate sources of information, get excited about my clients and projects, and tell compelling stories.
That notwithstanding, I was fortunate to have also earned a B.S. in Business Administration from the Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics, without which I wouldn't be where I am today. It gave me the foundation in business strategy, marketing and research that form the core of my marketable skill set. Today's labor market is hyper-competitive and changing faster than anyone can keep track of. I believe strongly that in order for students to get the most value out of their undergraduate experience and graduate as highly employable and adaptable individuals, they should pursue both liberal arts and business or technical degrees.
