DECA PNCDC 2020
This past February, I had the pleasure of not only competing but being able to participate in hosting Washington State’s Collegiate DECA Pacific Northwest Career Development Conference (PNCDC). This experience was one that proved to be tough, yet very rewarding in the end.
For those of you that may not be familiar with DECA, DECA is a not-for-profit organization with about 225,000 members in the United States alone, and many more worldwide which has chapters across many high school and college campuses. DECA “prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management in high schools and colleges around the globe”. Students are able to compete at a state level in various individual and team roleplays which allows students to practice their presentation, professional, and critical-thinking skills.
As a marketing officer for Western Washington University’s DECA chapter, this year I had the pleasure of working alongside five other officers including our chapter’s president to host the PNCDC conference at Western. This experience was a difficult, yet enjoyable one as we began to plan for this event since late October. As Western’s chapter was tasked with putting on the event, the officer team including myself were responsible for making reservations for equipment (chairs, tables, facilities, etc.), gathering a great number of judges within the professional business industry to judge various events, coordinating accommodations for competitors and judges, and effectively promoting the event. While this may not seem like difficult tasks, these tasks were not only time consuming but stressful as it required reaching out too many individuals, following Western’s guidelines, creating organic owned media, and working collaboratively to host an event for a few hundred students from across various college campuses in Washington State.
With that being said, the day of the event quickly arrived. As a leader of Western’s chapter, aside from competing in the Marketing Management event, I was responsible for ensuring the event went smoothly. I was tasked with directing both competitors and judges to their destinations, checking competitors in, setting up completion and preparations rooms accordingly, and making any necessary accommodations for others and ensuring the event was going smoothly. Like any other large event, it did not go without any issues or difficulties. There were some mix-ups regarding the necessary equipment, which led to a delay in the event moving it a bit off of the itinerary. While at the time this was a challenge, my team and I instead of complaining took actions and made adjustments on the spot to arrange rooms appropriately and ensure the event got back on schedule. Aside from this experience allowing me to practice my professional, verbal, written, skills as well as put my business expertise to the test, more importantly, this experience of hosting a large event helped me develop my problem-solving, multi-tasking, and project management skills which in the end will prove to be much more valuable in my career than placing first in a competition.
What and Why Marketing?
When people hear the word marketing, they are quick to think of telemarketing or commercials, and while that is one aspect of marketing, there is much more to this interesting discipline. Marketing can be best defined as the “activities and efforts an organization undertakes to promote the buying or selling of a product or service”. In essence, marketing is driven by the idea of creating value for a product or service, showing consumers that the product or service you have to offer solves a problem they have.
Marketing is an area with many various aspects of this intriguing discipline. Within the marketing discipline lies marketing research which focuses on providing an organization with knowledge on the market in order to make informed decisions. This includes but is not limited to collecting data (primary and secondary), analyzing the results to draw conclusions which can then be utilized to draw marketing implications in order to make informed decisions. Consumer behavior is another area that studies what drives consumer decision making and looks into why and how consumers make the choices they make. Other areas of marketing include Brand management and development is an area of marketing that focuses on increasing the perceived value and image of a company in order to achieve the company’s goals and objectives. These are just three big areas of marketing, with many others out there for this intriguing discipline.
Many people often ask me why I chose to pursue an education in marketing. My response to that question sometimes ranges from a short and simple answer to a more in-depth and detailed response. What greatly attracted me to the marketing discipline was how brands are able to develop such a great and dominant brand image that drives customers to do whatever possible to get their hands on a specific product. Growing up, I became intrigued by the sneaker and streetwear culture. This played much into my growing passion and interest in marketing as many small brands are able to develop such a dominant image which drives consumers to develop an extremely high perceived value in that brand’s products, which in return drives consumers to pay very high retail and resale prices, and in some cases even camp out to get their hands on that brand’s latest product released.
Once I grew an interest in marketing through my past interests in the fashion industry, I took a couple of marketing classes during my time in high school. From there, I realized that marketing quite literally plays a role in just about every industry and is utilized by just about every business and organization. I grew a great interest in sports marketing and marketing within the athletic apparel industry. My passions for sports and new-found interest for marketing are two things I plan and hope to make a career out of upon graduation. I would love to be able to bend my two passions to be able to not only make a living but be able to quite literally live one of my dreams. Marketing is a skill that businesses seek to create value and awareness of the company’s product or services being offered and some companies and industries that I admire are the NBA, MLB, NFL, Nike, Adidas, and REI.
Sports & Marketing
Just like any other type of marketing, sports marketing utilizes the sophisticated process of marketing to create value for an organization. Marketing is utilized in the sports industry in order to increase ticket sales, attendance, the brand’s image, ultimately leading to an increase in revenue and profits. Through successful marketing practices, not only is a sports organization able to increase revenue, but is able to create a loyal, enthusiastic fanbase that will follow the team, and bring the organization and its players into stardom.
The National Basketball Association (N.B.A) is a prime example of a sports league that has been able to develop such a successful marketing strategy that has allowed for global dominance. Writer Chidike Samuelson writes in his article published by The Entrepreneur that “the love for sports is global, but the ability that the National Basketball Association has shown in growing into such a global force cannot be attributed solely to the fact that people love the sport. It has a lot more to do with some serious marketing brilliance on the part of the NBA.”
The NBA has been able to tap into such a large and global market due to its marketing efforts. One marketing strategy the N.B.A. has implemented that has been very successful has been the large focus on content marketing. The steady in-flow of videos, blog posts, and articles can be seen across multiple channels including NBA.com, and any of the league’s social media accounts. This has effectively incorporated an element of “fun” into the game, making the game of basketball far more enticing to watch, which has allowed for the development of a loyal following and an increase in visitors on the league’s accounts and website. An additional element of marketing that has been very intriguing and effective is the NBA’s development of a conscious brand. The NBA has become involved in a wide variety of social causes ranging from helping impoverished communities, to taking a stance on social issues such as police brutality. This development of a conscious brand has allowed the league to reflect their values in place, and as the league becomes more and more diverse in terms of the athletes and employees, the league is reflecting their diversity and consciousness making it much more attractive and credible in this day and age.
This enthusiasm I have relating to marketing within the sports industry is a passion of mine I aim to turn into a career. From growing up watching Alex Rodriguez on the Yankees, to watching the Boston Celtics duel against the Los Angeles Lakers, sports became a passion of mine that continued to grow as I got older. The amount of high-level marketing involved in developing such a powerful brand image for a sports organization is what has greatly appealed to me. Once given a shot in this industry, I aim to effectively produce marketing content for a sports organization to grow the organization’s image, brand, and develop a blueprint to bring that organization to the top!
How Puma is Back on Top of the Athletic Apparel Industry
Puma is best thought of as an older and classic brand which has long ties to old-school basketball, as well as the urban culture. The historic sportswear manufacturer was founded in 1924 by Rudolf Dassler based out of Herzogenaurach Germany. Puma is well-known for being high-players in the sponsorship of track & field, basketball, and soccer athletes. More notably, Puma has sponsored athletes such as Isiah Thomas, and Walter “Clyde” Frazier who went on to have his own signature shoe known as the “Clyde” which became an iconic shoe within the urban culture and is still popular today. Even with Puma’s rich history, the organization began to lose market share to strong competitors such as Adidas and Nike.
Fast forward to today, Puma is back on top of the sportswear industry. Under the stewardship of Puma’s current global director of brand and marketing, Adam Petrick, Puma has become the fastest-growing sportswear apparel manufacturer ahead of its competitors. In 2019, Puma debuted on Forbe’s list of the top 40 most valuable sports brands at number six on the list. This past year of 2019, Puma had its best year in history as CEO Bjorn Gulden reported that the firm generated nearly 6 Billion dollars and its sales increased by 18.4% from the previous year. Much of this success is attributed to Puma’s focus on the brand’s basketball line, as well as adopting new strategies and focuses to meet the needs and desires of the younger changing demographics.
Puma decided to reenter the basketball sector, and in turn not only geared up their marketing efforts, but ensured the products were suited to bring the company success. In Puma’s resurgence, the focus was on developing a competitive advantage through a focus on product differentiation, as well as market penetration. Puma paid close attention to detail in crafting their new line of products as the firm created a versatile, stylish, and durable shoe in the Clyde Court Disruptor. This shoe quickly became a highly sought and popular shoe amongst basketball players of all levels, and especially seen amongst NBA players. The shoe is considered one of the best shoes available in terms of performance as Puma ensured enough traction, cushioning, and ankle support was provided which in turn made this a shoe, players regardless of whether they play a guard or forward position could wear displaying its versatility. Puma utilized a market penetration strategy as the firm drew inspiration from a classic popular model (Clyde Court), and revamped it to a more modern style paired with improved technology and performance to enter a new segment of the market. Puma sought music mogul Jay Z to become the creative director for the basketball line. From there, the company began signing players across the league with their first big signing coming in the form of center Demarcus Cousins. A strategy Puma implemented was to begin signing younger players, especially players who had just been drafted as the firm signed five of the top sixteen picks in the 2018 NBA Draft including the top two selections. One other strategy Puma implemented was tapping into the urban culture which is rich in the firm’s history. Puma began signing many hip-hop artists, with a top signing in the late Nipsey Hussle. This cross between hip hop music and basketball has been a strong connection and the strategy of tapping deep into the changing culture, and developing products fit for the changing culture and demographics allowed Puma to revamp and continuing to grow for the future.
Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC)
Integrated marketing communications is a process implemented by marketers to create far more engagement, reach a wider audience, and ultimately achieve the objectives of a campaign. IMC is an approach which is implemented through well-coordinated usage of different promotional methods and platforms that are intended to reinforce one another to optimize the effectiveness of a given marketing campaign while accounting for consistency across multiple platforms. This past quarter, I was selected to participate in a two quarter long social media integrated marketing communications independent study by Western Washington University’s marketing department.
This experience as a part of the independent study has proved to be a very memorable one. Not only have I had the opportunity to work alongside one of the most knowledgeable and supportive professors at western in Daniel Purdy, but have also had the opportunity to work with nine other like-minded, and motivated individuals. This experience has taught me how to work more effectively in a collaborative setting, as well as on my own. Being able to set deadlines and meeting them on time, working efficiently as well as effectively, and more importantly being able to develop as an “agile marketer” are skills that I have been able to develop due to my efforts and participation in this program.
The experience and exposure to work that has come our way as a part of the independent study has allowed me to not only grow as an individual, but as a marketer as well. Through this program, I have been able to gain certifications such as HubSpot’s content marketing certification which showcase my ability to produce content across a wide variety of platforms, and my understanding of the process. I have become certified to use the social media managing platform Hootsuite which is a popular tool for managing various social media channels utilized within the professional marketing industry. As a part of the IMC Independent Study, myself and the rest of the team have been tasked with creating and launching several social media campaigns which Western Washington University has asked of us to do. Our efforts have become noticed as Western Washington’s Student Marketing Association club partnered with the College of Business and Economics to put together a case competition in which judges comprised of professionals employed at Amazon, Microsoft, New Engen, and various other top companies judged competitors on the plan created, and presentation relating to the case assigned.
Our client tasked us with launching a promotional campaign to increase registration on a very short notice. With about a week and a half available for my team and I to create content and launch it across multiple platforms tested our ability to work collaboratively as agile marketers. Our efforts proved to be effective as we were able to increase competitor registration to one hundred percent which previously was at only a bit over fifty-percent. Our next project involves launching a social media campaign to promote Western Washington University’s “Meet The Professionals” event which is a networking event in which students and alumni will meet at the Seattle based marketing firm Mozz to network with one another, as well as the professionals employed at Mozz. A larger project that has been ongoing since the beginning of the independent study involves conducting primary and secondary research, creating and sharing organic curated content, and launching marketing campaigns to increase alumni engagement which can be measured through monetary donations, attendance at networking and mixer events, and overall alumni presence within the marketing department.
Hectic Last Couple of Weeks
The last three months have been some of the most hectic months I have lived through as the outbreak of the COV-19 virus continues to spread. This was quite an eventful way to start off the new year as everyday American life here in the Pacific Northwest has been completely changed in a sudden turn of events.
From first hearing about the virus originating in Wuhan China, to hearing about it spread throughout the world, and eventually reaching the Pacific Northwest and the Greater Seattle Area was not only frightening, but unbelievable. The spread of the virus has affected just about every industry and aspect of our everyday lives with schools closing, bars, restaurants, gyms, and shopping centers all closing. When the news first came out about the COV-19 virus hitting the United States, people were quick to downplay the potential effects, and to see how not only the United States but the global economy has been affected is truly breathtaking.
Having Western Washington University’s campus close, and transitioning into online digital classes has proven to be a tough transition. The dynamic of taking an online class has been one that has required me to change my practices that were in place such as time management, study habits, and my routine that had been set. Not to mention, the cancellation of in-person classes on Western’s main campus led to some course content being completely wiped out, and review days for finals being eliminated. The uncertainty and nervous feeling has made my days full of school work and lounging, as everything, and I mean everything is closed as we attempt to move out of this epidemic and continue to practice social distancing. If I have learned anything during this epidemic, I have learned to be patient, willing to adapt, and appreciative of the small things we often take for granted such as being able to go get food with my colleagues.
Upcoming Bellingham Bells Internship
If you have attended a four-year University, then you must be familiar with the statement that is constantly repeated over and over again that those who participate in an internship during their time as a student have a much higher chance of finding employment and earning higher wages upon graduation. That statement right there was one I constantly thought of over and over again during my time as a student as I heard it from not only professors at Western, but from my peers and family as well. With that being said, I decided to apply for a Marketing Intern position with the Bellingham Bells Baseball Organization whom is a part of the West Coast League (WCL). Following a series of virtual and in-person interviews, I finally obtained the position and succeeding that, the COVID-19 pandemic struck the United States which caused the baseball season along with most sports leagues being cancelled. Gracefully, the General Manager Stephanie Morell was very kind and easy-going to allow the summer Interns to continue with the internships with most of the work being remotely.
Even with the Internship being completed remotely, the opportunity to increase my knowledge, skillset, and overall grow as a professional as well as a Marketer is still there. While some of the duties the Marketing Internship originally called for have been modified, there is still a great amount of work that is to be done in an effort to prepare for next season. Most of the marketing efforts are aimed at developing engagement with the Bellingham community, as well as maintaining and developing increased brand awareness.
The duties that this Internship requires include working with the front office to plan, execute, and monitor digital marketing campaigns. Along with that, engaging in the planning and development of long-term projects which include revamping the Bells brand, refreshing the social media presence, and launching sponsor appreciation campaigns. The creation of original content and working closely with local businesses on cross-branding opportunities are some of the more notable duties this opportunity will encompass which allows for much growth and development within my field, as well as a professional.
This opportunity is one I am greatly looking forward to as it will allow me to put the skills and knowledge I have acquired in the classroom into effect out in the real world. Along with that, getting an internship is the first way to be able to demonstrate employers in the near future that I am capable of carrying out a variety of tasks, I am credible, and will not only increase my network, but will also allow me to get my foot in the industry. However, the greatest over looming reason I am deeply excited for this opportunity is my passion for sports as I plan and aspire to enter the professional sports industry as a marketer or employee within the front office of an organization with deep interests in the MLB, NBA, NFL, and Boxing industry.
Will Boxing Remain strong during this time?
Is it hard to believe that this year the M.L.B. opening day, N.B.A. Playoffs, and various U.F.C. and Pro Boxing matches have all been cancelled? Whether you’re a sports fan or a business person, the absence of sports raises many alarming questions. Sports fans are wondering when the next time they will be able to watch a sports game is going to be, while business professionals and economists alike are wondering about the financial impact this billion-dollar industry will have on the economy. Given the current limitations regarding the gathering of large crowds, we can expect team sports to be limited in the length of their season, and for the season to be firmly delayed. With the U.F.C. going against the odds, and brushing off criticism, this paved the way for combat sports to capitalize on the opportunity that is present. Boxing is one of the most popular sports worldwide, as well as one of the more lucrative sports within the industry due to sponsors and pay per views has the chance to take over during this time in which the industry’s large players are absent allowing for the sport to win over new fans, and generate large sums of revenue. The popularity and dynamic of the sport involving two fighters, allows for this sport to begin operating, raising the opportunity of them coming back stronger than ever.
June 9th marked the resurgence of professional boxing with the young blossoming prospect Shakur Stevenson taking on Felix Carballo at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas without an audience. Many were wondering how this move by the UFC and Professional Boxing would impact the company as ticket sales do make up a sizable portion of total profits. That worry quickly was eliminated as the much smaller Ultimate Fighting Championship company was able to sell over 700,000 pay per view orders back in May during with their UFC 249 Pay Per View event, which came at the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak. The Stevenson Carballo bout was offered free through ESPN for subscribers and cable television viewers. The great reception and hype built up by the boxing community, as well as aficionados, leaves us wondering just how successful a large title match could prove to be during this time in which the major sports leagues are put on pause, and sports fans are feeling desperate.
More than ever, this very moment is one that the boxing industry cannot simply brush off and ignore. This opportunity provides a chance for the boxing industry to grow, an increase in revenue, and the ability to tap into additional segments in the market whom it may have been difficult to reach otherwise. Years ago, critics argued that “boxing was dead”, citing that the sport was no longer at its peak and lost its popularity. That myth has been debunked as numbers quickly show that boxing is only growing as in 2015, the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight generated a record-breaking $400 Million in domestic pay-per-view sales alone, and the International presence of the sport has only continued to develop with time. The global presence of the sport continues to grow as more than ever, fighters are willing to go overseas to challenge and defend their titles as it was seen with starfighter Gervonta Davis defending his IBF championship against Liam Walsh in London. In 2017, only about 22% of the world championship belts were held by fighters based in the United States. With social media playing a pivotal role in the evolution of modern-day boxing, the sport once deemed as brutal and even barbaric has now evolved into a more high-end, elegant sport with luxurious sponsors, and celebrities endorsing the sport. The marketability of the sport on a mainstream level has developed with boxers becoming more and more distant from the traditional stereotypes associated with boxers. Fighters like social media icon Ryan Garcia who has over 6 million followers on Instagram, and over 1 Million on Tik-Tok allows for a younger demographic to become exposed, and even so much more interested in the sport. It would be a shocker to the sports world if boxing did not leverage the benefits available to them if they successfully begin hosting pay-per-view fights during this time and utilize social media as a marketing platform as the sports world waits for their favorite sport to resume action, why not introduce them to a one of a kind sport when they don’t have many options on what to watch, or offer a large hyped fight for free, to allow some viewers to get a taste of what the sport as a whole has to offer.
Marketing Scholarship
I was recently awarded a scholarship on behalf of Western Washington’s marketing department. First and foremost, I want to say thank you. I am beyond honored to have been selected as a recipient of the Finance and Marketing Annual Scholarship. Being selected as a recipient of this wonderful scholarship made me feel very special and valued. This opportunity allowed me to feel an immense amount of support from the entire Western community, especially given the current circumstances. I have become very involved within the marketing program here at Western from taking multiple courses of various concentrations within marketing, to being a part of the Integrated Marketing Communications study offered to a select group of students. I have had the chance to be a part of various campaigns and initiatives in partnership with the marketing department which have vastly fueled my growth as an individual, as well as a young aspiring professional.
My time here in Bellingham and at Western has been nothing short of special. Coming from a large city, moving to Bellingham was a major change for me and quite honestly one I regretted at first due to the drastic size difference, and change of environment. That feeling quickly went away as I realized how kind the residents were, and how welcoming the Bellingham community was. Along with that, the beautiful sunsets, long walks at Boulevard Park, and the various beautiful hikes that the area has to offer allowed me to fall in love with this city. The moment I stepped foot at Western Washington University, I knew this was the right school for me. The beautiful campus, the nature surrounding it, and the cozy lecture halls convinced me that I would have a memorable experience throughout the next four years. The emphasis on inclusion and unity is an aspect I love about Western, paired with the immense support the institution provides for its students. During my time here, I have formed many strong relationships with my professors and colleagues. I have really enjoyed taking Dr. Ed Love’s Marketing Management and Strategy Capstone course. Not only was the content very useful and engaging, but the case studies and real-world applications made the course much more engaging, as well as applicable. I plan on graduating next June with a bachelors in marketing, and a minor in International Business. I am currently a marketing intern. for the Bellingham Bells WCL Baseball Team here in Bellingham, and after graduating, I aspire to become a marketer or account manager with interests in the sports, apparel, and technology sectors.
This gracious gift will be of much help in allowing me to further my education. During this time filled with much uncertainty, as a student, it can be very stressful thinking about how your education will be impacted. This scholarship will relieve me of some stress in regards to being able to pay my tuition for fall quarter. I could not be more thrilled to have been selected as a recipient and I sincerely would like to thank every single donor who supported the marketing department on Give Day. Every single donation, regardless of the amount is helping students continue their education, and contributing immensely to their professional and personal growth. This act of kindness has left me feeling very grateful and inspired knowing that there is an entire community supporting students like myself, that are rooting for our success. From the bottom of my heart, I would like to say thank you.
Working from home
How has working from home these past few months been working out for you? Did it start off rough, but eventually it grew on you and you’ve come to enjoy it? Oddly enough that has been the case for me. Entirely working from home requires a little extra bit of discipline to be able to avoid distractions, remain focused, and of course, produce high-quality work to the best of your ability. Originally, I despised working from home and continued to dwell on the past, continuously wishing I was in a classroom setting once again. That quickly changed as I discovered what practices work best for me, and how to effectively develop a work plan.
I discovered that I work best in the mornings as I have grown accustomed to being up early in the mornings on weekdays getting ready for class, and being in class early in the morning. Having a consistent and healthy sleep schedule is essential to being able to work from home effectively. If you are constantly headed to bed at unreasonable times, it will be extremely easy to convince yourself to hop into bed and take a quick power nap, thus taking a toll on your productivity. After struggling to get over the hump and becoming productive, I have been able to discover that getting up early, and taking a shower as well as having a nice hearty breakfast can really work wonders for you. These small changes in your routine have the ability to change your mood, mindset, and leave your body and mind feeling great, and ready to conquer your workday.
Personally, I have realized that entirely working from home requires that you develop a much more precise, and well-organized schedule, as well as a routine. For many of us who prefer to stay consistent with a routine and schedule, having to develop an entirely new routine can be overwhelming and quite difficult. For those that typically prefer not to follow a set routine and well-planned schedule, working from home can be quite difficult without any sort of guide. Some ways to minimize procrastination and increase productivity are to use a standard calendar in which you can include due dates, or practice setting reminders on your phone. One method I was recently introduced to that is very useful, well-organized, and quite effective is the Kanban Board method. This method is very common in the business world with project management and is a lean method that large corporations such as Microsoft and other technology and automobile manufacture implemented in order to better manage the work-flow and increase productivity across human systems of labor. This method allows the users to visually see the flow of their work, and easily identify which stage they are currently in. This method can be implemented digitally through various applications or can be created physically with a sketchbook, notebook, or on a whiteboard.
The Marketing Program at WWU
In case you have not yet realized, I am currently a student in the marketing program at Western Washington University. Deciding on which major I was going to pursue was a very easy decision. I came into Western one-hundred percent set on pursuing a business-related field based on my prior exposure to the general business field throughout my time in high school. Marketing is a field that allows one to become experienced with not only creating, but effectively conveying the value a product or firm is able to provide for consumers, thus allowing an individual to become better informed with the different needs and desires of the segments in a specific market.
The marketing program here at Western quite honestly is a community like no other. You often hear the myth that college professors will never know your name, or care to get to know you due to the nature of the University setting. While that may be the case in some settings, I can confidently say that the marketing program at Western does not operate in that fashion by any circumstances. The marketing program does not feel so much like an academic program, but like a family of like-minded, kind individuals with similar interests. From the professors, to the other students, and additional faculty members, there is a strong sense of unity as people apart of the program want to see each other succeed and encourage, as well as lift each other up when it is needed.
The faculty members take the time to get to know their students as the smaller sized courses allow for a much more intimate setting. This smaller setting allows for much more collaboration, deeper conversations, the ability to ask additional questions, and an opportunity to form strong bonds with faculty and other students. When you reach the higher-level marketing courses, typically the fear of group projects many people have goes away. In this particular setting, students want to be in class, and are passionate about the subject matter creating a pleasant, and exceptional learning, as well as collaborative environment. I have had the opportunity to see first-hand how strong the unity within this community is. From alumni volunteering to come in and speak to other students and offer them advice as well as share their stories, alumni sharing internship and job openings with current students, faculty consistently encouraging students, and students encouraging each other. Much of my personal growth and success can be attributed to the marketing program here at Western. Without the support and experiences the program has provided, I would not be the motivated, compassionate, and knowledgeable individual I have grown to be within the last couple of years. The advice and encouragement from various faculty members has allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and take on leadership roles in large group projects, increase my professional network, and pursue an internship. I can confidentially say that the program is doing an excellent job at preparing their students with the proper knowledge, skills, and mind-set to enter, and excel in the workforce upon graduating. I would not be who I am today without the program, and for that reason I am forever thankful I made the decision to become a part of this wonderful, warm-knit community.