MS Marketing Student Spotlight: Olivia Dorsky
Olivia Dorsky is graduating this summer from the MS Marketing combination program. After graduation, she will move out of state to begin her career in marketing.
Q: What is your background?
Dorsky: “My name is Olivia and I am from St. Pete, Florida. I grew up in a Gator family, and some of my favorite memories as a kid were driving up to Gainesville for football games. After touring colleges, I knew UF was where I wanted to go. I decided on marketing as my undergraduate major because I have always been interested in business. Since I was young, I’ve liked math and science, but also loved art and being creative. Marketing is a mix of analytics and creativity, so I felt that it was the perfect fit.”
Q: Why did you join the MS Marketing program?
Dorsky: “I joined the MS Marketing program because I loved my marketing classes and wanted to take more than what was offered at the undergraduate level. I was going to graduate early, so the MS Marketing combination program was the perfect way to stay for four years. The best part about the master’s program was the classes with creative branding projects. My favorite was Advanced Marketing Management with Dr. Tufts. My groups worked on branding and marketing campaign analyses for companies like Dove, Cheetos, Chipotle and J.Crew. Learning from these familiar brands and their campaign successes and failures helped me illustrate my marketing skills in interviews.”
Q: What are your best memories from UF?
Dorsky: “My favorite involvement within Warrington was when I served as the Service Director of the American Marketing Association. I made great friends and learned from amazing companies. Some of the most fun UF memories were football gamedays, baseball and basketballs games and gymnastics meets. All of the road trips, dinners and gamedays with my best friends are lifelong memories.”
Q: Tell us about your experience in the MS Marketing combination program.
Dorsky: “The MS Marketing combination program was the best academic decision I made at UF! The combined semesters were a great way to ease into graduate classes and double count credits. Getting my master’s degree allowed for more job opportunities and gave me confidence in my knowledge and experience when interviewing. I would highly recommend it to anyone!”
Q: What are your professional career plans after graduation?
Dorsky: “My career plan after graduation is working as a Marketing Associate for RVO Health in Charlotte, North Carolina. I am so excited to start my career with a great company in a new city! I have two minors in food science and human nutrition and retail, so this job highlights all of the different things I’ve studied! I am grateful to the MS Marketing program for teaching me valuable skills that I took into my interviews and will use throughout my career.”
Q: Any advice for incoming students?
Dorsky: “My class advice is that there are a lot of group projects, so communication is very important. Don’t be afraid to reach out to group members early in the module because the due dates approach quickly. The master’s program is a much faster pace than undergrad, so being prepared on the first day of each module will help you to not fall behind.
“Other advice for career preparation is to make connections with your classmates and professors because you can learn about job opportunities and learn from others’ experiences. Also, start the job search early! It will make your year less stressful if you aren’t cramming at the last minute. Don’t get discouraged when facing rejection because if you’re persistent, you will find the perfect job. UF alumni are always willing to help, so if you see that connection at a company you’re interested in, just reach out!”
Q: Tell us a cool fact about yourself.
Dorsky: “My favorite involvement at UF was working as an Education Assistant at the Disability Resource Center (DRC). I learned lessons that I will take with me for the rest of my life. Volunteering has always been an important part of my life, and the DRC is by far the most rewarding experience I’ve had. I attended other students’ classes and proctored exams and saw them achieve amazing things. I am so grateful to have attended a school with such an important program like the DRC.”
