MSM Student Spotlight: Taryn Pearce
Taryn Pearce is graduating this summer from the Master of Science in Management (MSM) program. She is anticipating beginning her new role as Marketing and Communications Coordinator at The InterMed Group.
Q: Tell us about your background.
Pearce: “I was born and raised in Lake Mary, FL (Orlando area), making me a proud Floridian. It probably won’t come as a surprise that I grew up cheering for the Gators before I even understood the rules of football. My dad is a proud UF Warrington alumnus, so I practically came out of the womb in Gator gear. Now, I am incredibly grateful to call myself a double Gator, as I also completed my bachelor’s here in 2020. Outside of being an avid Gators fan and academic, you can find me in the gym, snuggled up with a good book, having competitive game nights with my close friends or, on occasion, playing sports (mostly soccer and volleyball).”
Q: Why did you join the MSM program?
Pearce: “My journey to the MSM program was an unexpected one, but nonetheless something I wouldn’t change for the world. When I graduated with my B.S. in psychology from UF in 2020 at 20 years old, I was forced to take a break due to COVID, which spurred me to rethink my original direction into psychological research. Throughout the two years between my degrees, I uncovered my passion for business – particularly marketing. Since I would describe myself as an academic, I investigated options to pursue [management] as a degree and coming back to UF, if possible, was a no-brainer. Upon doing my research, I found the MSM program which allowed me, a non-business major student, to learn all the fundamentals in business while also tailoring it with electives of my choice. I saw an opportunity for the perfect marriage – business fundamentals and marketing – and, luckily, UF saw the same and here I am!”
Q: What are your professional career plans after graduation?
Pearce: “Upon graduating in August (Wow, does time fly!), I am ecstatic to say that I have accepted an offer as a Marketing and Communication Coordinator at The InterMed Group. I have been interning for them as a Marketing Intern since January, so I am excited to come on full-time to continue and expand on the work I am doing currently, which includes content marketing, strategy and social media. Believe it or not, this internship opportunity was brought to me by a fellow MSM Ambassador (who is now my coworker) in a time that I wasn’t actively looking for an internship, [and I] decided to apply anyway. If there’s anything I’ve learned in my year in the program, it’s that connections are everything! Looking ahead, I hope to be a student one more time and pursue my MBA in a few years, hopefully (fingers crossed) back at UF, but who knows what the future has in store!”
Q: Any advice for incoming MSM students?
Pearce: “The first thing that comes to mind is – put yourself out there. Prior to starting the program, my networking, resume and similar skills were not up to par, but now I can confidently say they have drastically improved. Hough puts on multiple different events and has resources to aid you in building and utilizing these skills – such as career coaches, Graduate Career and Peer Mentors (GCAPs) and networking events with real employers. Don’t let the fear of the unknown and lack of skill keep you from becoming the best version of you – professionally, academically and personally. I made a promise to myself upon entering the program that I would use all the resources available to me and go to the events held and I can confidently say that I wouldn’t be where I am today if I didn’t keep that promise. As Nike is famously known for – ‘Just Do It!’”
Q: What is one cool fact about yourself?
Pearce: “I’ve only been out of the country via cruises (to the Caribbean, and Central and South America) and never flown internationally before. I’ve been told that’s unusual, so that is my cool or interesting fact! However, I do hope this changes soon, as I really want to travel to Europe and visit all the sites and experience the different cultures there!”
