Why did you choose the Media Ventures program?
I choose MV because I wanted a program that combined both in and out of classroom experiences. When working in tech, only so much can be learned in a classroom, and this program does an amazing job providing you opportunities to learn from professionals in the field as well as develop your own experiences through internships. When you combine this with the amazing knowledge of Boston University professors, you get a program that cannot be beat.
How did your time at COM help prepare you for your life post-graduation?
COM pushed me to look outside of my comfort zone. With the MV program, we were encouraged to seek out professional development opportunities out of class, as well as attend as many COM events as possible. Not only did this give you a chance to learn about different professions and how they intersect with emerging technology, it helped me to personally learn to seek out advice from those I wouldn’t normally have approached.
What have you been up to since you graduated?
I currently live in Indianapolis and work for a donor database company. Essentially, we built a database specifically for nonprofits which includes a variety of tools to help them improve their donor retention and engagement.
Can you talk about your current position? How did you choose it? What makes it exciting?
I was actually approached by the founder of the company about my new position with them. I was working as an Account Associate for them when they decided to bring back a Product Evangelist role for the company. They thought I would be an amazing fit for the job and asked me to consider transitioning. Essentially my role is to be the face of the company at various conferences and events, not only promoting the product but getting to know our target audience and their needs.
What advice would you give to a prospective student considering the Media Ventures (MS) program?
If you have any interest in working in tech at all, look at this program. You walk away with a fully developed idea, and that in and of itself is powerful. Then if you consider the number of connections that you get and who you can work with, it becomes a no-brainer.