Pushing Through those Mid-Semester Blues 

By: Payton Wright

Every college student has fallen victim to a case of the Sunday Scaries at some point, most more than once. Once the initial back-to-campus excitement and energy settles down it can be difficult to stay motivated. Exams are starting, assignment deadlines are coming up faster than you can keep track of, you’re stressed, tired, and probably starting to get home sick. With Columbus Day right around the corner, I am here to give you some tips to reenergize and refocus, so you can get back on track to ace this semester.

The first step I always take to “getting my life together” is sitting down in a quiet, comfortable place.  Whether it’s your bed, desk, favorite floor of DuBois or the Isenberg Hub – just make sure the distractions are minimal. Take out your planner, update/add assignments, quizzes, and exams. Then, prioritize, so you have a better idea of what needs to be done immediately, and what you can worry about later. Visually seeing what needs to be done can help simplify the information and pinpoint your focus on the top priority.

I’ll admit, that step can make you feel even more overwhelmed than before when you see all the upcoming assignments you have to complete. That’s okay. Step away from the planner. Get some fresh air, a good workout in, watch an episode of your favorite show, or talk to a friend.  Whatever you need to do to come back with a clear mind. 

Now how the next step goes is up to you, you can allow yourself to become overwhelmed and welcome the negative thoughts of “it’s impossible” or “I’ll never get all this done” to take over OR you can make the conscious decision to turn those thoughts into positive, attainable affirmations. You are more than capable of whatever equation, writing prompt, or study guide is staring back at you. It is all a matter of initiative, focus, and maybe a little will power.

Personally, I have begun to try and find the excitement in everything I do to fuel my motivation to keep working. Right now, I find myself using my eagerness to find an internship I am truly passionate about to push myself to keep working hard. Finding a purpose to be proud of the work you are putting in will make school much more enjoyable than simply passing in assignments to get by.

The stress will pass, as it always does, and soon enough that to-do list will be all checked off. The real trick is being able to identify when you are allowing that list to take over you, and then realizing that you are the only person who can control how it is handled. It can be easy to get buried in schoolwork. Taking the time to take a step back, look at the bigger picture, and appreciate the work it took to get where you are will not only validate all of the work you have done but will motivate you to keep it up!

“So many people wait to feel ‘motivated’ before they do anything. Here’s a newsflash: happy productive people do not wait for motivation, they just get on with it'' 

- Marie Forleo



EY: Creating Your Success

Panel Moderator: Tyler Spellman Campus Ambassador

Panel Questions:

  1. Please take a minute to introduce yourself, share a little bit about you. What do you do at the firm and how long have you been at EY?

  2. If you had to define your personal brand at this moment in your career with 3 words, what would those words be?

    • Meredith Coughlin: Client-centric, inclusive, working mom

    • Addison Hugo: Proactive, adaptable, resourceful

    • Libby Rosenberry: Flexible, assertive, social

    • Julia Accorsini: Confident, personable, versatile

  3. How have you evolved as a female professional throughout your career? What obstacles have you had to overcome, and what are the lessons you’ve learned from facing these challenges?

    • Meredith Coughlin: I started with the firm during a financial crisis — as I look back, the obstacles were ones that I seeked out. That is what has shaped me.

    • Addison Hugo: I’m a people-pleaser, which is a problem that a lot of women have. I wasn’t a good self-advocate at first, but I have learned to work on it. You pull your own career, so don’t lose out on compensation, roles, and projects… you should feel empowered to grow.

    • Libby Rosenberry: It can be challenging starting your career as a young female professional. You will have clients who are difficult. You may have problems being heard. But, you have a unique perspective, so speak up!

    • Julia Accorsini: I went into a whole new career path because I wasn’t happy. There is a stigma that you can’t “job hop.” Go pursue the place where you fit and listen to your intuition. It’s okay to not know what you want to do at first.

  4. Have any of you had a mentor throughout your career? If so, how have they helped or inspired you?

    • Meredith Coughlin: At EY, we are formally set up with a counsellor. This sponsor is always your advocate! They can help with specific things (like promotions). A mentor, on the other hand, is someone who will give you advice.

    • Addison Hugo: Having the EY counsellor is new to me; you just keep them informed, but they’re not your boss. My mentor actually reached out to me when she saw a new opportunity in her team, and even though she was hard on me in that position, I learned so much.

    • Libby Rosenberry: When you’re working or traveling, you end up being a part of teams. Your network expands fast. I think I have a lot of mentors.

    • Julia Accorsini: The counselor system at EY is awesome! They’re a great part of your career. My mentor was someone I worked with on my last project — I respect her opinions, personally and professionally.

  5. As strong, motivated females in the workplace, what steps do you take to empower women that are just starting out on their career journeys?

    • Meredith Coughlin: I feel personally responsible for every woman on my team because I’m the only female partner. I try to push women out of their comfort zone, often by having them present. I try to them to remind them, “I wouldn’t put you up there if you were going to embarrass yourself.”

    • Addison Hugo: We have two new team members who graduated a year or so ago, and now I’m seeing patterns that I remember in myself. They seem sacred to ask questions; women are usually taught to be tough, independent workers. I encourage them to break out of that mindset and explore.

    • Libby Rosenberry: I encourage my female co-workers to speak up during meetings and defend their points. I encourage them to present their own updates, instead of having leadership do it for them. Also, give feedback so female co-workers can develop and grow!

    • Julia Accorsini: You have a seat at the table for a reason. You’re not supposed to just sit there and absorb what everyone else is saying — obviously, know your audience, but own your accomplishments. The client wants to know what you think and see you make change. Make effort to give credit where credit is due too, because it’s important to highlight each other.

  6. How have you managed to maintain a healthy work-life balance as your personal needs changed throughout the years or as your role in the company changed?

    • Meredith Coughlin: She just got promoted to partner! It’s hard to live out a suitcase and work late hours and maintain your health. It’s a conscious effort. I perform better when I take care of myself and spend time with my family.

    • Addison Hugo: I’ve become a workaholic, but I have a supportive boyfriend, mom, and friends. Plus my team keeps an eye out — they remind me when I should probably take a break. Sometimes I hit a wall, and I need to get grounded. This past weekend, I watched a whole season of The Politician and bought ClassPass. Also, going from campus to a desk is rough, so make sure to even just get in a walk.

    • Libby Rosenberry: It’s important to eat well and exercise, but also take mental breaks! Unwind! Try a new restaurant or show; even just stay in for the night. And please don’t forget about your non-work friends.

    • Julia Accorsini: The work-life balance is a learned process. Heard of the freshman 15? How about the consulting 30? It happens. But, I’m on the road four days a week, so I’ve learned my routine. Again, when you travel, you wind up in teams! I have girls I go to pilates with, or eat dinner with. You get in the groove and meet new people.

  7. What are some pieces of advice that you would share with the group as they embark on their career journeys?

    • Meredith Coughlin: Start getting out there and talking to firms. You’ll be most successful where you are happy. It’s really the people who will make or break a workplace for you.

    • Addison Hugo: Don’t freak out if you don’t have a job yet, and don’t forget to advocate for yourself. If you’re interested in someone, tell people and make connections — you’re the driver of your career.

    • Libby Rosenberry: Go for things you see yourself actually accepting. Don’t bog yourself down. Just enjoy your time here!

    • Julia Accorsini: Shop around and try new things. Do research and know that people will talk to you if you ask. Be realistic, you’re Isenberg students and you will get a job!

Majors Panel


“So what do you want to do?”

This is a question every college student hears at least 100 times a year. Sometimes the answer comes to you in a second, or sometimes it’s not there at all. We presented a panel to teach everyone a little bit more about Isenberg majors! Here are a few takeaways with each panelist’s contact information!

Management

Tori Soucy (vsoucy@umas.edu)

  • Management involves learning skills in leadership and running an organization effectively

  • It offers a variety of career opportunities like working in human resources, business law, and more!

Marketing

Maria Jara (mjarabaca@umass.edu)

  • Marketing helps you learn various analytical and creative skills to sell various products or ideas

  • Everyone needs marketing - there are a variety of industries available for marketing majors to explore!

OIM

Haley Chupka (hchupka@umass.edu)

  • OIM is based around analyzing data in supply chain management and information systems

  • It is a field that is constantly evolving with different advancements in technology!

Finance

Mia Celik (mcelik@umass.edu)

  • Finance involves learning the ins and outs of corporate finance, banking, and investments

Accounting

Julie Han (hyesoohan@umass.edu)

  • Accounting is split into a variety of disciplines like auditing, tax, and consulting so clients can make informed financial decisions

  • Since accounting has such a heavy course load, studying abroad can be difficult. But the International Programs Office is always willing to help and find you different opportunities for travel!

Hospitality & Tourism Management

Grace Ford (geford@umass.edu)

  • The core of HTM is customer service, whether it be in hotels, clubs, resorts, and more!

  • Though working in hotels is a popular career path for HTM students, it is not the only one! Hospitality and tourism is all about people, whether they are in a hotel or not

Sport Management

Ashley Robinson (aprobinson@umass.edu)

  • Sport management takes core business courses and applies them to a sports context

  • Some possible careers in sport management include managing teams, sports marketing, and player personnel!

School-Life Balance

A current trend in the workplace is maintaining a healthy “Work-Life Balance.” In order to achieve this, companies have been focusing on improving their work culture and truly valuing the well-being of their employees. The idea of “School-Life Balance” is equally important for college students as it is for employees in the workplace. Whether it is in an office or in a classroom, people perform at their optimum levels when placed in a healthy environment with a happy well-being.

How does a college student maintain a healthy “School-Life Balance?” This question can be difficult to answer when we are responsible for many different tasks at once. College students juggle classes five days per week, shifts at work, hours of homework and exams, and sometimes extracurricular activities such as academic clubs and sports. How do we find “me time”? When can we focus on doing things we love, such as spending time with friends, working out, or simply reading a book? Below are a few tips to keep in mind when trying to maintain a healthy “School-Life Balance” as a college student.

1.     Dedicate time outside of your dorm/room: Sometimes it is easy to feel trapped in your dorm room working on assignments that seem to never end. To get out of this headspace, dedicate an hour of each day to leaving this environment. This could be going for a run, grabbing something to eat, or simply enjoying the fresh air. Facetime a friend! Anything you can do to take a step back.

2.     Plan weekend activities: You may be thinking “I have so much work to do this weekend.” If this is the case, pick one or two nights of the weekend to do something enjoyable with your friends after a full day of doing work. This could be a Friday night movie night with popcorn. Be creative, just make sure you find this time to spend time with the people you love most.

3.     Call your family: As a college student, you are most likely away from home and your family. Our busy lives sometimes prevent us from keeping in touch with our family. For me, calling my sisters and my mom always puts me in a cheerful mood. Calling your family may be just the thing you need to get you through a stressful week.

4.     Organize your priorities: Keeping a calendar and writing out your “things to do” list helps you prioritize what you have to do for the week. This way you are able to complete the things of high importance and cut some tasks out that you may not need to complete right away. You could also cut something out of your schedule completely! It is okay to step back if you feel as if you’re balancing too much.

These are just a few things college students can do to help manage a healthy “School-Life Balance.” As a heavily involved student, I keep these in mind when I am trying to balance my own. Maintaining classes, work, and clubs is difficult at times, but doing things that make me happy while living a generally healthy lifestyle all contribute to keeping a good “School-Life Balance.”

Internships 101


Below are three different examples of Boss Lady internships that members of our WIB E-Board experienced this past summer. Find out what the female working business world is like!

1. Haley Chupka- Senior Operations & Information Management Major

This past summer, I had the pleasure of interning on the Military Engines Spare Parts Team for the Materials Management & Logistics (MM&L) Internship at Pratt & Whitney. It was an incredible experience where I was able to learn a lot about the company, make connections, and develop my skill set. My work mainly consisted of coordinating inventory movements for individual part numbers that were in danger of going "cold", or inactive, meaning the part has not been received by a Pratt & Whitney plant from a supplier in two years. When a part goes cold, about $25,000 in reboot costs go towards reactivating the part––mainly through inspections that must be conducted as well as major tooling. I worked in multiple programs to move scheduled inventory receipts to earlier dates to avoid these reboot costs, and was able to save the company over $3 million in doing this. I had other smaller projects that mainly focused on increasing efficiency and productivity in different work groups throughout my organization.

What drew me to Pratt & Whitney was their incredible culture and sustainability initiatives. As an aerospace engineering company, they have a significant impact on the environment. They have specific goals that they have advertised to be met by 2020, such as reduction of greenhouse gasses, hazardous waste, and water consumption by 2-5%, and to recycle 90% of industrial process waste. This was important to me because I am passionate about sustainability, and I was looking for a company that shares similar values to mine. In regards to their culture––a company can boast about having a great culture all they want, but, at Pratt, they really do have one. They value collaboration, communication, knowledge sharing, standardization, and developing/taking care of their people. Pratt immediately felt like home to me, and I took advantage of all of the opportunities that came my way. As an intern, you are "at the bottom of the totem pole," but this is a great thing because you have a fresh start and a new opportunity to establish yourself in a new environment. Interns are provided with all of the resources needed in order to succeed, but it is up to them to decide what they will make of their time and themselves during their time there. 

I am ecstatic to be returning to Pratt & Whitney full-time after graduation as a Materials Management Development Program (MMDP) Associate. During this program, I will rotate through three different areas of materials: Supply Planning, Delivery Execution, and Demand Management. This program is two years long, consisting of four rotations through each of the areas previously mentioned. I can't wait to further develop myself and my career at this company!

2. Maria Jara- Junior Marketing Major

This past summer I was a buying intern at The TJX Companies at their global headquarters in Framingham, MA. I applied for their Merchandising Development Program in the fall of my sophomore year. I had always been interested in fashion and have always wanted to work in retail, so I felt like it was worth a shot to apply for an internship that encompasses both of those things! 

Needless to say, I was so excited when I was offered the internship! On my first day at the company, I was inspired and amazed by the friendly culture, the drive to succeed, and the overall fun that everyone seemed to be having. During my summer with TJX, I worked on a team of seven buyers who worked in the men’s division with hats, wallets, belts, tech and family gifts. I was exposed to such diverse aspects of the company and I absolutely loved how the work I was given was meaningful and had an actual impact on daily business. I was able to develop hard skills like using various buying software and reading ladder plans, but I was also able to develop many soft skills like adjusting to work life balance and public speaking! I’m pleased to say that I will be returning to TJX next summer as a Planning and Allocation intern! 

3. Julia Gleim- Sophomore Marketing Major

This past summer I interned at Applause, where I was a member of the Community Management Team. I remember talking to sophomores who had internships after their freshman year and being amazed that freshmen could even get these opportunities. I was determined to put myself out there in hopes that I could also get an internship and begin my journey to a career in the business world! 

A little background on the company I worked for, Applause is a software company that has its own platform called uTest. UTest is a software testing company that other companies post job opportunities to test new technologies before them launching it. When a company is unable to acquire enough testers that fit their needs, they contact my department, Community Management. As a member of the Community Management team, I am tasked to recruit these specific types of “testers,” whether that be based on their accent for voice testing, location for on-site testing, or interests such as football for specific types of testing. It was my responsibility to post facebook ads, contact people directly, and create job boards in order to recruit these different types of “testers”.  After completing my summer internship I was asked to work remotely at school and I could not pass up this offer! When I got to school I quickly realized that working and doing my school work was too much for me, so I requested to receive credits for my work so I could drop a class. My request was approved and the process was very easy. I have loved every aspect of working for Applause, and I look forward to continuing to learn and grow while working there! 

As you can see, the opportunities out there are endless! Feel free to reach out to Haley, Maria, or Julia with any questions about their experiences.