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Marketing and Communications Analyst - Leeds School of Business

Why did you decide to come to Leeds?
Initially, I came to Leeds as an employee. I was on the job hunt and found an amazing job where I could use my marketing and content skills to contribute to the outcomes of the University. Being able to get my MBA at the place I work became an easy decision.

What is one thing you learned at Leeds that you will never forget?
The most valuable aspect is the friends and connections you make in the program. I've met so many talented professionals that will no doubt go on to have significant careers and it is an honor to study alongside them. I'm grateful to get a built-in network of my peers to engage with for the rest of my life because of the MBA program at Leeds. 

Tell us about a particular professor or mentor that influenced you while you were at Leeds.
One of my lifelong mentors who encouraged me and guided some of my career decisions and goals was also an MBA alumni from the program. Being able to connect with my mentor when things were tough and the program felt overwhelming was beneficial as she was able to use her own experience in the program to alleviate concerns and guide me through some of the challenges. 

Where has life taken you since you graduated Leeds?
I will continue to work for Leeds, applying my newfound MBA skills to guide better results and outcomes for the School and using my platform and experience to pay it forward to future students through advice and mentorship. 

What is one piece of advice/best practice that has stuck with you throughout your career?
No one is going to be a better advocate for yourself than you are. It's an important lesson to learn in life that if you aren't looking out for your own betterment, nobody else can do it for you. Some people may be an advocate for you, but they will never know you better than you know yourself and what you want. The lesson can be painful, but be your own best advocate in life. 

What does life look like for you after graduation?
I’m looking forward to taking the skills I’ve learned throughout the program and applying them to improving some of our systems and processes at the University. One aspect of the MBA is that it allows you to see the larger picture and better understand how individual pieces (like marketing) apply and fit within the larger frame of an entire business.

If you are planning on leaving Boulder, what will you miss most about the city?
I’m still in Boulder, but one thing that was true when I started at Leeds as an employee and has grown as I’ve taken several entrepreneurship courses is how widely the startup culture permeates the city. It’s one thing to hear how Boulder cultivates startups; it’s another thing entirely to see and engage with the startup community through events like the New Venture Challenge and talking with entrepreneurs through classroom experiences and the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship. The startup ecosystem of Boulder is truly unique and I’m so glad I got to experience that in full force as an MBA student at Leeds focused on entrepreneurship.

What advice would you give to anyone interested in pursuing a career in your professional field?
Figure out what's important for you specifically in a field or career and go from there. Are you motivated by money, a strong brand and culture, or an amazing and talented team? Often times you might find two out of the three of those things in any career, so decide what's most important to you. And remember, the grass is never greener on the other side, it's only a different shade of green.