MS Marketing Student Spotlight: Alyssa Miranda
Alyssa Miranda is a current MS Marketing student. She previously graduated with her BSBA in marketing, and will complete her graduate studies in summer 2021. See why she joined the MS Marketing program and how she hopes to use her degree in her future career.
Alyssa Miranda on her first day of classes as a full-time graduate student.
Q: Tell us about your background.
Miranda: “My name is Alyssa Miranda, and I am in the MS Marketing program. I am from Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida and I attended Allen D. Nease High School where I obtained my International Baccalaureate degree – which is also the same high school Tim Tebow attended.”
Q: Why did you join the MS Marketing program?
Miranda: “Last fall, I earned my undergraduate degree in marketing and am looking to finish my master’s program by summer 2021. During my time as an undergraduate student, I was in the Eta Delta chapter of Chi Omega and served as a member of the executive philanthropy board. The reason I joined the MS Marketing program was to further my knowledge regarding marketing, sales and consumer behavior. My undergraduate advisor, Jaime Little, informed me about a ‘new and exciting’ program she thought would be a great fit for me. After looking over the various combination degree options, I decided the MS Marketing program most accurately aligned with my future career aspirations.”
Q: What do you enjoy the most in the MS Marketing program?
Miranda: “In the MS Marketing program, I have enjoyed the emphasis on group work and collaboration the professors have placed on each class. The professors have been extremely accessible and understanding during the COVID-19 pandemic. The small class sizes have also allowed for more one-on-one interaction with professors and classmates.”
Q: What is your advice to current undergraduate students who are thinking of doing the combination MS Marketing program?
Miranda: “When I first started my academic career at the University of Florida, I did not have a clear idea of what I wanted to do or what I wanted to study. However, after taking Principles of Microeconomics with Mark Rush, I found my passion in business and later found my niche in marketing and sales. My advice to anyone considering a combination degree program is to put yourself out there, apply, and challenge yourself to achieve another level of academic success! The MS Marketing program has already furthered my understanding of various marketing topics, strategies, and has even allowed me to further my professional development.”
Miranda: “As far as preparing for the MS Marketing program, I would advise any potential applicants to take interesting undergraduate marketing electives and make sure they are passionate about these topics. This combination degree option has only furthered my passion for marketing and sales and to get the most out of this additional degree, I would advise potential applicants to feel the same way!
This past summer, I had the amazing opportunity to intern with TIAA Bank as their Consumer & Commercial Banking Intern. From this internship, I was able to create meaningful presentations, network with higher level executives and collaborate with fellow interns. My main project was to create a competitive analysis presentation comparing TIAA’s workplace banking offerings, marketing strategies and website design to other financial institutions. At the end of my internship, I was able to present this PowerPoint to my supervisors, other interns and executives from many different branches of the company.”
Q: What are your plans after graduation?
Miranda: “After graduation, I hope to obtain a full-time role in marketing or sales in Florida, Chicago, North Carolina or Atlanta. As I have been in Gainesville since summer 2017, I am excited to hopefully travel for my job and see the world! In five years, I hope I am working for a sports team and helping them run their various social media platforms, as this has been a dream of mine for a few years now. However, in five years, if I am in a great role surrounded by people I love, I will consider this a great success! I want to wish all potential MS Marketing students the best of luck, and as always, Go Gators!”
Q: Tell us three cool things about you.
Miranda: “Some fun facts about me would be that I played softball for 12 years of my life, I am a die-hard New York Mets fan and I went to the World Series to see them play, and I have a 130-pound bull mastiff at home named Bella!”
