Favorite Course: Marketing with Professor McIntyre
What are your plans post-graduation?
I completed my undergraduate degree from Pace University on May 17th, 2021, with a double major in English and Communication Studies. On May 18th, 2021, I started working at Penguin Random House as the Proprietary Sales Assistant. Less than 1 year later, I was promoted to Associate, Proprietary Project Management, which is my current role. The Proprietary Team creates custom editions of PRH books for specific retail accounts. Some of my favorite accounts to create custom books for are Kohl’s Cares, Five Below, Costco, and Barnes and Noble. I specifically work on children’s books, managing my own projects from Random House Children’s Books and Penguin Young Readers.
How do you think classes prepared you for your career in publishing?
It was a great experience to take classes from adjunct professors who actively work in the industry. In my classes, these professors brought their real-life work to the classroom which allowed me to have a well-rounded understanding of the industry. I especially learned a lot of skills and jargon in my production, children’s books, and editorial classes, as I have applied them to my role at PRH.
What are your favorite moments in the program?
In my production class, I brought one of my colleagues in as a guest speaker. It was so fun to combine my professional and classroom worlds. I also loved working with my friends in the program during group projects as I found it beneficial to work as a team since that is what I do every day in my publishing house. Lastly, during my first semester in the program, I worked as the Student Aid for Professor Soares and loved the experience of supporting her and the program.
Advice for incoming/current students?
Network, network, network!!! Absorb every word of your guest speakers and professors and make sure to note names and titles. The Publishing Program is really great about hosting alumni networking events, take advantage of those!!! During the mentor program that Professor Soares hosted, I was paired with an amazing mentor who guided me throughout the interview process which ultimately led to my current job! She was invaluable to me and I am so grateful to Professor Soares for connecting us. Don’t be afraid to make connections, rather, harness the power of them, and use your resources to lead to future internships and jobs. Write thank you notes after every chat, informational interview, and interview!
What are your five to ten-year hopes & goals you want to accomplish?
I want to keep growing in my company, specifically on my team. I would love to become a people manager and be a distinguished leader on my team. If the opportunity arises, I would also enjoy being an adjunct professor.
What are you reading right now?
I’m currently reading Things We Hide From the Light by Lucy Score (not a PRH book, ahh!). Some recent books I read include The Paris Apartment, Stranger Flowers, The Push, Midnight Strikes, The House in the Pines, Jackal, Ugly Love, Things We Never Got Over, Galatea, and Lessons in Chemistry.