From time to time, we like to showcase a new SNC grad who’s entered the workplace or grad school. Success stories like these are pretty common. In fact, 95 percent of SNC's Class of 2022 alumni who responded to a survey said they were employed, in grad school or doing service work within nine months of graduating.

Hometown: Plainfield, Ill.
Graduation year: 2018
Degree: Bachelor of Business Administration
Plans after graduation: Joined the merchandising department at Ulta Beauty, Chicago, Summer 2018.

What did you do at SNC to get yourself ready for life after graduation?

I was very career-focused coming into college. I knew being involved on campus would eventually help me land internships and corporate work experiences, so within my first few weeks here, I started to learn about all of the activities I could be involved in. My freshman year I made the Dance Team and became a part of the TRIPS service trip program and the social group CCHams, and I got my first job, working in the office of admission. My sophomore year I was able to add a little more to my plate and was in the inaugural group for the Love Your Melon club, was a part of the leadership mentoring program Leadership Legacy, and was selected as the vice chair of the student advisory board of the office of career and professional development. I also took the opportunity to learn about professional etiquette from Career and Professional Development.

Where did those experiences lead you?

I was later able to hold two internships, both in the Chicagoland area, the first being at Modern Luxury Magazine and the second being at Ulta’s corporate office. These internships paralleled the leadership experience I was gaining in school my last years of college as captain of the Dance Team and president of my social group.

Your level of involvement and activity must be pretty unusual on campus …

Not really. Most students at SNC are extremely involved and better yet, very passionate about what they are involved in; that is the quality I most admired about the student body. Whether it is a sport, club, job, or simply their schoolwork, students are very dedicated to what they’re passionate about. People are not afraid to be involved and make the most of their time here. Because of this, St. Norbert College students are able to thrive both inside and outside of the classroom.

So how did all that involvement end up helping you?

Two ways in particular: First, as a member of CC Hams, I was at a reunion event and I got talking to an alumna, who had just interned for Ulta, and she recommended me to her boss. That’s how I got my internship, and it was a critical “foot in the door” at the company; ultimately it was a very strong selling point when I applied for a full-time job there.

Second, all those campus activities, especially the leadership ones, gave me an important set of “soft skills” – communication, motivation, leadership, confidence, and especially teamwork. Those things not only looked good on my résumé, they came through in my interviews, too – and they really set me apart, I think.