Describe what you are currently doing for work and your path.
Since I graduated in spring 2020, I have been working at Putnam & Vine Wine & Spirits in Greenwich, CT. Over the past year I have worked my way up to assistant manager and am responsible for the store’s marketing and social media (@putnamandvine on Instagram). I also curate the wine club and write the monthly newsletters. In the fall (2021) I am going to graduate school at the Burgundy School of Business in Dijon, France, to earn my M.Sc. in wine management. I plan on working in the business sector of wine and aim to be an international trade specialist later in my career.
How did your education in COLA prepare you for life after college?
Language skills are extremely helpful and sought after in many careers. I have already been able to use and benefit from my French at work. My dual major in international affairs gave me impeccable global competency skills, which I did not fully realize until I began my internship with the International Trade Administration.
What person or course most influenced you while at UNH?
As much as I loved being on campus, I really valued my time abroad in Paris. I was able to learn so many new skills, such as navigating the city, and how deal with seemingly impossible problems by myself.
What do you know now that you wish you'd known while at UNH?
Internships are very important to gain experience in the “real world” and to find out what is most important to you in a job/career.
What advice do you have for students interested in your field?
I would advise students interested in international business to research opportunities at specific companies, not just on LinkedIn. You do not need to be a business major to work in business. Language skills really are very helpful for your career. For those interested in wine, WSET (wine and spirits education trust) courses and UNH’s International Wine and Beverage HMGT course are great places to start! I also worked as a banquet server at Flag Hill Winery & Distillery in Lee, NH, just about 10 minutes from campus, in order to gain experience working with wine and at a vineyard. Networking is also very important and not as scary as you may think. Once you start working, even at a part-time job or internship, you meet a lot of people who are happy to talk to you or to connect you with other professionals. You should also use your professors to network! They have a lot of connections in their specialty and want you to succeed.
