By Alexandria Alyse Walker
Four years ago, I embarked on a new vocation in special events fundraising to help advocate for the needs and betterment of Chicagoland communities challenged by health and economic hardships. What should have been an intimidating journey for someone with my limited experience in this field (my background is in the performing arts) ended up being one of the most profound and rewarding experiences of my life.
Being a student at DePaul’s Kellstadt Graduate School of Business exposed me to incredible opportunities that allowed me to gain professional hands-on experiences relevant to my career goals. It also gave me a unique opportunity to gain valuable insight from my professors, connect with my peers, grow my leadership skills in student organizations and network with top industry leaders. It is without saying that DePaul has changed my life.
Alexandria (left) with her sister Chaunyce, who also graduated from Kellstadt in June 2022. (Photo by Nicholas Moody)
As I look back on my graduate experience, I sit here with tears in my eyes in complete gratitude for all that God has done for me and for all that I have gained academically, professionally and personally as a student at Kellstadt. Below are some gems that I have discovered in my journey that I hope will be beneficial for you:
Don’t be afraid to pivot from your original plan
During my time at Kellstadt, I discovered that my path was not linear. It is not uncommon for students to come into a program, take a class unrelated to their major and discover that they want to pursue a different area of study than the one they had originally intended. It is also not uncommon to pursue an advanced degree in a completely different field than your undergrad degree.
If you find yourself pivoting from your original goal or field of study don’t view it as a setback or failure. Every experience you encounter in life is a stepping stone towards you reaching your purpose, so embrace the journey!
Be open to taking courses outside of your program
Coming into my program I knew that I was called to pursue a career in hospitality and philanthropy, but after exploring different courses I discovered an interest in hospitality and entrepreneurship.
This opened the door for me to connect with faculty at DePaul’s Coleman Entrepreneurship Center, get involved in internship opportunities, gain leadership experience in student organizations like DePaul’s chapter for the Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization (CEO), expand my network and gain skills I needed for a career in hospitality leadership and entrepreneurship.
What I love about DePaul is that it embraces students’ diverse interests and backgrounds and invests in preparing them for a more confident and successful future. And the Kellstadt program gives students the opportunity to explore courses that stimulate new interests within different departments.
You encompass so many incredible talents that will open doors for you to change the world, so do not limit your ability to be effective in other areas.
Blue Demon sisters Alexandria, Chaunyce and youngest sister Madisyn (center), who just finished her freshman year studying biology sciences at DePaul.
Take advantage of student events, organizations and networking opportunities
DePaul has so many events for students both on campus and virtually. There are many opportunities to socialize, network and engage with peers, professors and industry professionals, as well as get involved in student organizations. DeHub, Handshake, LinkedIn and other social media channels are great tools you can use to explore career and internship opportunities, and stay connected to upcoming events and school updates.
Participating in student events enhanced how I experienced my DePaul community and made me feel more connected to my professors and peers. It also helped me build my network and get involved in student organizations and committee groups, where I gained hands-on experiences pertinent to my career goals.
Lean on your professors for career support
My professors were great resources for me throughout my time at Kellstadt. They not only provided me industry knowledge, but they matched me with valuable opportunities that aligned with my career interests and goals. Having that support was instrumental in my success and my academic and professional development. Don’t underestimate the opportunities and connections that can come from cultivating relationships with your professors, and even classmates.
Stay proactive in the pursuit of your goals
Coming into my program I was adamant about gaining as much experience as I could since I was new to the field I was pursuing. This motivated me to advocate for opportunities on my own, such as internships with UNICEF Chicago, The Parkinson’s Foundation, The Little Village Chamber of Commerce, and other places that helped me gain skills integral to a career as a fundraising leader for nonprofit events.
Being a DePaul student opened doors for me. I gained insight and experience in philanthropy as a fundraising and volunteer board member with the Young Associates Board with Lurie Childrens, WGIRLS Chicago, Young Leaders Fund with the Chicago Community Trust, and the Chicago Women in Philanthropy organization.
Walk with faith
Finally, there is one word that comes to mind when I reflect on my graduate journey—and that is faith. Having a strong performing arts background, I never believed that I was capable of anything else until God showed me that He had more in store for me. I put God first in my life because He empowers me and directs my steps. Walking in my faith, I was reminded that no goal is out of reach.
Alexandria at DePaul’s Lincoln Park Campus. (Photo by Nicholas Moody)
Alexandria Alyse Walker is part of the graduating class of 2022 in the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business. She holds a master’s degree in hospitality leadership and operational performance. Graduating with distinction, she is a proud member of the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society and ETA Sigma Delta International Hospitality Management honor society. Alexandria has two sisters, Chaunyce who is a 2022 DePaul MBA graduate and Madisyn who is finishing her freshman year at DePaul University. Alexandria looks forward to working with nonprofit organizations to advocate for social issues through her philanthropy work and furthering her entrepreneurship aspirations in the hospitality industry by opening a coffee house in Chicago.
By Lauren Somers
This spring, the Kellstadt Marketing Group (KMG), a graduate student organization at DePaul’s business school, organized its annual KMG Marketing Symposium. The one-day event included an impressive lineup of speakers who provided a range of marketing advice. This year’s theme was “Igniting the Future, Making Your Mark” with a focus on entrepreneurship, recruitment and digital transformation. Speakers from a variety of different businesses, experience levels and walks of life joined us to share their perspectives on how to ignite the future of marketing – with DePaul students leading the charge.
Rejuvenated by seeing my peers’ faces in person, the symposium was full of insights. Below are three top takeaways that are still ringing in my marketing ears:
1. The future of marketing is female.
Joined by the extremely talented and enlightening keynote speaker Bridget Brennan, CEO and founder of the Female Factor, we heard and discussed the rising economic and buying power of women. More than 40% of households with kids have a mom who is the primary or only caregiver; 51% of wealth is held by women in today’s market; and 52% of managers are women. The female buyer was once a secondary market, but today, women’s buying power must be valued and captured in every advertising campaign – and this doesn’t just mean making products pink.
2. Becoming a successful entrepreneur has many pathways. Your path can be unique too.
Next, we heard from a panel of DePaul entrepreneurs with businesses ranging from Indian pizza restaurants to Latin American-focused beauty brands. Although the panelists came from different backgrounds and had different reasons for becoming self-employed entrepreneurs, they all shared a similar set of tools for success.
The first tool is your gut. The clear consensus from the entrepreneurship panel was to trust your gut and follow your business instincts. You paid for a DePaul degree for a reason!
The second tool is your unique background and experiences. For Jay Patel, founder of Moti Café and Masala Pizza Company, he found success through his targeted experiences working at different cafes and restaurants, such as Starbucks and Chipotle. Jay used his experiences to differentiate himself from his competitors by learning from workers on the frontlines to build a business model that starts with the customer.
Finally, the panel said that you cannot be a successful entrepreneur without outside help. Entrepreneurs, by nature, want to do it all and do the best. You must accept help from those who offer, and seek it from mentors and peers who can provide gaps in your knowledge. Just like any other job or industry, entrepreneurs must network to be successful.
3. Breaking into the marketing world is tough, but once you know the tricks, you’ll land the gig.
As a former career coach, I found the recruitment panel to be the most interesting. The panel consisted of professional career coaches, like our very own Martin McGovern (BUS ’10), founder of Career Therapy, as well as industry recruiters, such as LinkedIn Senior Recruiter MaryAnn Gibney. From both sides of the career wall, the message was clear: don’t lose yourself in the hiring process. DePaul students offer a unique set of skills and experiences that make us the perfect fit for the right company – you just have to find your fit.
Some good news about the ever-changing career world? Companies are just as clueless as candidates. If two to three years of required experience is holding you back from applying to a job, consider your experience from internships and student organization leadership roles. Does the job description seem the same as the last four you applied to? It probably is, so worry less about checking off every one of those preferred qualification bullets. Just because companies are looking for a unicorn, doesn’t mean they won’t happily train a zebra.
Most importantly, use the resources DePaul provides. Use Vmock, which is available to all Kellstadt students, to edit and tailor your résumé; take advantage of the Alumni Sharing Knowledge Network to connect with the DePaul community; and check Handshake for career fairs and job opportunities. The best way to succeed at finding a marketing job is to use all the tools you have at your disposal to represent yourself clearly to the world.
With another great annual KMG Symposium behind us, I look forward to what is to come for next year’s event and the DePaul students who are igniting the future of marketing.
Lauren Somers graduated from Denison University in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in political science, concentrating in data analytics. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Marketing at the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business, and plans to focus on digital marketing. She enjoys living in the Logan Square neighborhood in Chicago with her significant other and her golden retriever, Kai.
Hundreds of students enroll in the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business each year, so what about Kellstadt attracts them and how is Kellstadt supporting their success? In this Q&A series, we’re inviting students as well as recent alumni to share their perspective on why they chose to study at Kellstadt and why they’re glad they did.
Eric Tamerlani
Next up is alumnus Eric Tamerlani, who received his bachelor’s degree in political science from DePaul University and is now in Kellstadt’s MBA Program in the full-time cohort, with a concentration in entrepreneurship. Tamerlani worked in professional politics for several years before returning to DePaul to pursue a DePaul MBA. After graduation Tamerlani hopes to work in product or project management for a tech company. He also has aspirations to eventually start his own business.
Why did you choose Kellstadt?
Being a career changer, I felt like I could add value to my new profession with a business degree. I chose Kellstadt specifically because it has a very well-rated entrepreneurship program, and having gone to DePaul for my undergraduate degree, I already knew I enjoyed being part of the community here.
What are you enjoying about Kellstadt?
I enjoy the broad array of courses and topics covered in the MBA program. I feel like I’m receiving a thorough business education and I’ve learned a lot in a relatively short amount of time. It is very refreshing! But what I enjoy the most about Kellstadt is the diverse student body and the engaging class discussions that result from that diversity. The cohort is made up of people from all sorts of professional backgrounds, so I’m exposed to perspectives I otherwise would not have been exposed to had I not attended Kellstadt.
I have also had the opportunity to join, and lead as its new president, the student organization Kellstadt Partners. This student club serves the Kellstadt community by organizing events around the city for students to enjoy. I’ve found it very rewarding coming up with ideas and hosting fun things that I hope enhance the student experience here and give people a chance to get to know one another outside the classroom. It’s been a great experience making new friends through the club and exploring the city together.
What Kellstadt course has left the biggest impression on you so far?
I really enjoyed the pitch presentation in our Business Innovation & Design class. This was a project we worked on throughout the class, starting with customer discovery at the beginning of the quarter and ending with a shark-tank style pitch presentation to the class at the end of the quarter. We used the creative tools we learned in class to identify a solvable problem, determine a business solution/product, and then pitch our original product idea to the class. The entire process was illuminating and fun, and I think it gave my fellow students and I a fairly realistic view of what it takes to develop a new product and find the best way to sell our idea to investors. With my concentration in entrepreneurship, the pitch presentation was an invaluable experience!
What would you to say to someone who is considering studying at Kellstadt?
I would say go for it! You won’t regret the decision to attend, as DePaul offers a very good business education and a very welcoming community. I was admittedly a bit nervous when I decided to go to business school, it had been nearly ten years since I had been in a formal academic setting and, as a career-changer, I wasn’t sure if I was making the right choice for my future. But I’m so glad I pushed through and decided to enroll. As it turned out, a lot of people pursuing their MBA were in a similar point in their lives. I’ve really enjoyed working with my fellow students as we push one another to excel in our studies and make the most of our experience at DePaul.
Read the other spotlights in this series:
Randa Mahmud Ulankiewicz, a student in the Master of Science in Marketing Analysis program, shares how much Kellstadt’s faculty members have impacted her professional career.
Palak Patel, a graduate of the Master of Science in Business Analytics program, shares how she discovered her passion for global supply chain management at Kellstadt.
Hundreds of students enroll in the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business each year, so what about Kellstadt attracts them and how has Kellstadt supported their success? In this Q&A series, we’re inviting students as well as recent alumni to share their perspective on why they chose to study at Kellstadt and why they’re glad they did.
Palak Patel
Next up is alumna Palak Patel, who graduated in June 2021 with a Master of Science in Business Analytics. Patel is passionate about global supply chain management and currently works in operations management at Amazon.
Why did you choose Kellstadt?
Because I was pivoting to a new career path (my undergraduate degree is in chemical engineering), I wanted to be a part of a reputable business school with good connections and professional opportunities, especially in the heart of Chicago. Kellstadt had that to offer and more. The business analytics program at Kellstadt gave me a sense of excitement and opportunity. Business analytics to me represents the idea of a sustainable, essential and dynamic career in which numbers meet people. It was just the type of focus I was looking for.
What stands out to you when you think back on your time at Kellstadt?
The culture of community and support. DePaul and Kellstadt are full of kind and genuine people that help you feel more like a person than a number. My classmates were focused on their careers in a non-toxic, non-competitive way. Everyone that I had met and worked with was there to help each other out. I met so many people who genuinely wanted to help me grow professionally and I felt that the faculty and staff were personally invested in my career and success, all of which made me feel very supported throughout my time in the program. The bonds I formed during my grad school experience with classmates and professors continue today.
What Kellstadt resource made the biggest impact on you?
The Kellstadt Career Management Center (CMC) opened up so many opportunities, connections and experiences for me that I would never have found alone. All it took was one sincere, sit-down conversation with my advisor for me to recognize that the CMC is genuinely and personally invested in students.
The CMC introduced me to fellow students, professors, professionals and opportunities to help me figure out my career path and what I can contribute to the academic space. It connected me to the Kellstadt Business Analytics Organization (KBAO) and Supply Chain Management Society (SCMS), two student organizations that I became involved in and that helped me broaden my network, develop my confidence and inspired me to discover what I’m passionate about and what motivates me.
Through these organizations I was able to participate in student panels and discussions as well as case competitions. All of this helped me discover a career where analytics meets supply chain, and I met professors and mentors who guided me along the way. For introducing me to all of this, I’m so thankful to the people at the CMC. These opportunities gave me a lot more practical learning and business exposure beyond just the classroom.
What would you to say to someone who is considering studying at Kellstadt?
If you are looking for personalized support as you advance or change your career, a strong business community and opportunities to be a trailblazer, then Kellstadt is the place to be!
Read the other spotlight in this series:
Randa Mahmud Ulankiewicz, a student in the Master of Science in Marketing Analysis program, shares how much Kellstadt’s faculty members have impacted her professional career.
Hundreds of students enroll in the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business each year, so what about Kellstadt attracts them and how is Kellstadt helping them achieve their goals? In this Q&A series, we’re inviting students as well as recent alumni to share their perspectives on why they chose to study at Kellstadt and why they’re glad they did.
Randa Mahmud Ulankiewicz
First up is Randa Mahmud Ulankiewicz, who is in the Master of Science in Marketing Analysis program and expects to graduate in December 2022. Ulankiewicz is an experienced industry researcher who currently works at Adtalem Global Education as a senior analyst, providing consumer insights to medical and nursing school clients. She’s also a volunteer with the Insights Association, a market research association, for the North Central chapter, and co-founder of the charity Refugee Life Foundation.
Why did you choose Kellstadt?
I had an amazing experience attending DePaul as an undergraduate student. I received my BS in marketing in 2006 and loved the curriculum and faculty so much that it made sense to come back to study at Kellstadt. I knew that I was going to receive an education from professors that have experience in their field. I also knew that I was going to get the support I needed to succeed.
While it’s a little different being a student as an older adult, the experience continues to surprise me as it has been better than what I expected. Everything I loved about DePaul’s business school as an undergrad has remained the same since I left. I’ve kept in contact with some faculty from my undergraduate career and love seeing the amazing work they continue to do.
Other reasons I chose Kellstadt: I enjoy the pace of DePaul’s quarter system, I feel that DePaul professors are invested in their students, and I’ve greatly benefited from the connections I made and continue to make here. Some have become lifelong friends, and others have become colleagues in the industry or at work.
Last but not least, I have a lot of pride being a DePaul alumna, so I would love to hold the Double Demon title.
What about Kellstadt stands out to you?
The professors. Most of my professors either had or continue to work in their respective fields, and it is extremely valuable to learn from people who actually practice what they teach. Their knowledge and passion for what they do is shown in their classes. They aren’t assigning work for the sake of assigning work, they are ensuring you understand the fundamentals and tell you how to apply it at your job, when the time comes. DePaul professors are invested in their students’ futures and will continue to check on you after you graduate. My suggestion is to always stay connected with the professor that has influenced you. I plan to do so.
Which professor has made the biggest impact on you?
The most important person in all of my DePaul experience, undergraduate to graduate, is Dr. Stephen Koernig. Because of him, I chose to practice in this field. I’ve utilized him as a resource at Kellstadt and have always received honest feedback. Dr. Koernig’s knowledge and passion for marketing research and insights can’t be matched. Not only did he give me the opportunity to explore this field, but he continues to advise, influence and mentor me as I navigate life as a graduate student and full-time employee in my organization. While many people in my life didn’t think I was going to succeed, Dr. Koernig continued to remind me that hard work and continuous learning is why I will achieve any goal I set for myself. My gratitude to him is immeasurable and I cannot say thank you to him enough.
There are many other great professors at Kellstadt who have made an impact on me, but Dr. Koernig stands out.
Ulankiewicz (far right) with Marketing Department Chair Stephen Koernig and fellow alumna and friend Lena Hanson Zickus (BUS ‘05) at the 2017 Driehaus College of Business Marketing Advisory Council Rising Star Award ceremony. Ulankiewicz received an award that year for her exemplary work in market research.
What would you to say to someone who is considering studying at Kellstadt?
Kellstadt has a great reputation, an abundance of resources, fantastic faculty and a terrific location! Having the DePaul name on your résumé does wonders and is a conversation starter at networking events. To be able to put Kellstadt on my résumé is a badge of honor because of the hard work I put in to earn my degree. The resources are amazing here and you continue to have access to them as alumni. DePaul has TWO libraries (in the Loop and in Lincoln Park), the software programs are at our disposal, and DePaul has done a great job in transitioning in the pandemic to online learning [with classes currently offered online, in-person and in hybrid modes]. The faculty is one of the many reasons why I came back. Kellstadt has its reputation because of the intelligent professors who have real-world connections and experiences in the business community.
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