Master’s in Marketing: Marissa Ivery-Rogers, Vanderbilt (Owen)

Student Name: Marissa Ivery-Rogers

Graduate Business School: Vanderbilt University Owen Graduate School of Management

Describe Yourself In 15 Words: I value morality and strive to build genuine relationships in my professional and personal life.

Master’s Graduation Class: 2019

Undergraduate School and Major: Spelman College, Economics

Current Employer and Job Title: Delta Airlines, Data Specialist

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Successfully executing my job duties and being nominated and accepted for a coveted leadership program within Delta.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as a graduate student: Developing my research and analytical abilities and leveraging them to obtain post-graduate employment.

What was the key factor that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? The location and smaller class size are what made me choose Vandy. It was important to me to stay near my hometown of Atlanta, GA, so I could easily commute to visit my family. I prioritized a smaller class size because I wanted to make genuine relationships with my classmates and professors.

What led you to choose a Master’s in Marketing over an MBA? I worked in marketing for two years before pursuing my graduate degree, I knew that marketing was what I wanted to do in the long run, and the master’s of marketing program was 10 months. 

What has been your favorite course and how has it helped you in your career? Marketing analytics was my favorite course during my time at Vandy. In that course, I learned different research techniques and software, and although I don’t use this knowledge as much in my current role. I know it will be helpful in future positions.

How did your classmates enhance the value of your business school experience? I went to an HBCU for undergrad, so I had never been in an environment where I was in the minority. My Master of Marketing class consisted of people who didn’t look like me, and with that came different cultures and beliefs. My classmates showed me the world from their perspective, which made me appreciate our differences. 

Who was your favorite faculty member and how did this person enrich your learning? My favorite faculty member was Kelly Goldsmith, because I found her classes to be engaging and interesting. Professor Goldsmith had a way of explaining things in a relatable way, which made the material more digestible. Besides the subject matter, I think the greatest thing I learned from her courses was how to be a better communicator. Her public speaking skills and ability to relate to anyone are admirable and influence my goal-setting to this day. 

What is your best advice to an applicant hoping to get into your school’s graduate Master’s program? My best advice to anyone interested in a master’s of marketing program is to do as much research as possible. Schedule a tour of the campus and set up some time with alumni to learn about their experiences. I found that the best way to prepare yourself for any grad school journey is to talk to people. This gives you an opportunity to ask questions about the admissions process and get a better understanding of Vandy’s culture. 

What was your best memory from your Master’s program? My best memories during my Master’s program all involve spending time with my classmates. The Master of Marketing class was very close-knit, so we got to know each other very well. We studied together, but we also spent most of our free time fostering genuine relationships.  Through this program, I made lifelong friends and created memories I will cherish forever. 

DON’T MISS: MEET THE MASTERS IN MARKETING

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