Sports Marketing and Public Relations

As an undeclared freshman, I had no idea what I wanted to do after graduation, or even what I wanted to major in, for that matter.  As I began to feel the pressure of it all, the weight was lifted the moment I was introduced to the BDIC program.  With some guidance, I discovered that I could actually tailor my academic plan to fit what I was truly interested in; something that once seemed virtually impossible as an undergrad.  I combined both life-long and newfound interests to develop my own customized concentration: Sports Marketing and Public Relations.  

My curriculum provided me with the tools necessary to achieve my goals of succeeding in the professional sports industry.  Communication, Journalism, Marketing, and Sport Management courses all presented me with the knowledge necessary to get a leg up in the business from all sides.  Hands-on experience that I was fortunate enough to receive proved to be the most beneficial of all.  The opportunity that I had to complete an internship while studying abroad in Sydney, Australia was what made me truly appreciate the freedom I was given.  

Although I always felt fortunate to be a BDIC student and a Peer Advisor, I never anticipated the number of the doors that BDIC would open for me until after leaving Amherst.  Since graduating just 10 months ago, I have found that my interdisciplinary degree has given me a unique advantage when it comes to applying for positions in highly competitive organizations.  I have had countless conversations as to why I chose to pursue the BDIC program over more traditional majors, which almost always impresses even the most successful executives, some who claim to have seen it all.  I am honored to call myself a BDIC alum and will be forever grateful for the amazing support the program provided during, and even after, my UMass career.