Q: What year did you graduate from Kent State and with what degree?
I graduated in May 2021 with a degree in Hospitality Management.
Q: How did the Hospitality and Event Management program prepare you for your career?
I was already in the business when I started this program at Kent. I thought I knew everything I needed to know…I was wrong. Kent State offers an amazing support team for students pursuing their degree. The professors, advisors and even other students genuinely care if you are successful, they motivated me to do better and to care more. Kent provided me with the tools I needed to be successful in my career. My professors helped me define exactly where I wanted to be, and they helped me every step of the way.
Q: What advice would you give current Hospitality and Event Management students?
Don’t give up! You will get tired, overwhelmed, and frustrated. You will have days where you think it will be easier to just walk away, but that day will pass, and you will be thankful that you stuck with it. Join a student group, volunteer, attend the meetings! Meeting the other students, forming friendships, and building your Kent State Support team will help you in school and after graduation. These classmates will be the first people in your professional network after graduation. Participate when you are in class! You are here because you don’t know everything. It’s okay to be wrong, it’s okay to make a mistake. The biggest mistake you can make would be to sit back and let it pass you by without taking advantage of all Kent has to offer. Don’t just go through the motions. This is my second time going through college. The first time, I didn’t do any of the things I’m suggesting to you, and it was a completely different experience and far less successful.