Uwa Oduwa Fields ’12
Uwa Oduwa Fields attributes her career path inspiration to her mother, a successful entrepreneur who also worked in various business roles. Fields believes that Fisher’s business program and strong alumni network significantly influenced her future goals. “Some of the most memorable parts of my time in the business program were hearing from guest speakers and alumni who were already well into their careers,” she explained.
During her time at Fisher, Fields was part of the founding group of the American Marketing Association (AMA) on campus. This experience helped her develop crucial leadership and teamwork skills. Additional hands-on learning experiences helped her prepare for working in business. She participated in an internship program during her senior year and is a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society.
Fields now works as the director of marketing operations at Xometry, a Maryland-based digital manufacturing company. “In the corporate world, having both hard and soft skills is extremely important, and my business degree at Fisher laid a solid foundation for me.” She encourages students to engage in unique experiences like studying abroad, internships, or pursuing minors in other disciplines to stand out in interviews and networking opportunities. “I’ve seen firsthand that earning a marketing or business-related degree from Fisher can take you far.”
Ashley Flanagan ’17
Content Director, Social Yeah
Two days after graduating from Fisher, Ashley Flanagan started her first job as content creator at Social Yeah, a social media marketing agency in Buffalo. Just eight months later, she was promoted to content manager and today serves as a content director. In her role, she is involved with every aspect of how the agency’s team creates content, from initial strategy to executing the finished product. Each day, she puts to work her broad range of skills, including photography, videography, graphic design, and copywriting, skills she credits Fisher for helping her to hone. Thanks to her marketing and media and communication classes, she gained a competitive edge in having a strategic marketing mind, while simultaneously knowing how to execute it.
As a student, she was the creative director of Fisher Players, president of Fisher Swingbirds, marketing director of the Student Activities Board, and a member of the American Marketing Association and Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society. She also served as a student ambassador and Orientation Team leader. For Ashley, one of the most beneficial experiences she had was as part of the University’s pilot team of executive interns in the Office of Marketing and Communications.
“Fisher prepares you for so much more than an ordinary education. I learned the crucial skills I needed to be able to succeed, I gained the confidence I needed to be a leader, and as much as I was involved, I never stopped enjoying it. Fisher introduced me to the best friends I could’ve ever asked for, so as crazy as the work might’ve gotten, I was constantly having the time of my life.”
Aaron Guarino ’17
Aaron Guarino’s favorite spot on campus was the Salerno Center for American Enterprise. A double major in marketing and finance, Aaron’s role as vice president of operations for the Marketing Club kept him pretty busy in the Center.
Aaron said that his favorite course, Marketing Promotions, taught him a lot about marketing and promotion tactics businesses use to attract and retain customers. It is information he has put to good use in two internship experiences he’s had, including handling on- and off-field promotional efforts for the Batavia Muckdogs, a minor league baseball team.
During his time at Fisher, the Alexander, New York native came to appreciate the College’s small class sizes, which allow professors to get to know each student well.
“The professors all want to see students succeed. They take a personal interest in every student to ensure they are getting the education that is needed for a successful career,” he said.
Helen Rose Shine ’23
Social Media Specialist, GoNetspeed
Developing a strong interest in her parents’ business backgrounds and especially her mother’s passion for art, Helen Rose Shine decided to double major in marketing and economics. “Marketing was where I saw creativity and business coming together,” she explained.
She believes the marketing program at Fisher significantly influenced her long-term goals. “I am determined to earn a Ph.D. in marketing because of the coursework and experiences in and outside of the classroom.” She described the importance of courses such as Marketing Research, Organizational Behavior, and Marketing Strategies combined with hands-on projects and case studies that provided her with a deep understanding of marketing principles and strategies.
Shine highly recommends the marketing and economics programs at Fisher to prospective students. “Both programs offer an academic experience that equips students with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities needed to succeed after graduation,” she said. The emphasis on hands-on learning, internships, and networking opportunities ensures that students are well-prepared for their careers. Regardless of the specific major someone chooses, she also explained that “Fisher provides the perfect foundation for personal and professional growth.”