Charting New Paths: A transition from criminology to marketing
Madison Weitzel (BA ’24, MS ’24) had long set her sights on a career with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), making criminology her natural path..
Inspired by her father’s 20 years of military service, Weitzel felt a strong calling to continue serving her country. Forensic science soon became the only course Weitzel looked forward to, and paired with a “Criminal Minds” obsession, it was no surprise when she began her first semester at the University of Florida studying criminology.
Originally from Fallston, Maryland, Weitzel never imagined Gainesville, Florida, would feel like home. Growing up, Gator gymnastics was a staple in her household, but Weitzel’s knowledge of UF, at the time, was limited to its celebrated gymnastics program, leaving her unaware of the university’s broader academic and athletic reputation.
“One weekend, on a whim, my mom and I flew down to Gainesville for an impromptu campus tour,” she said. “Once I was accepted and took an official tour, I knew instantly – my heart was set on UF.”
In her first two semesters, Weitzel kept her options open, gravitating toward criminology while selecting courses that aligned with her career aspirations.
“I quickly realized most of the criminology courses were deeply rooted in law,” Weitzel said. “I knew law school wasn’t the path for me, but after some research, it became clear it [law] was one of the few options available in my field at UF.”
Switching from criminology to the Warrington College of Business was initially a jarring choice for Weitzel, but it unveiled a wealth of career possibilities. From marketing and sales to human resources, what once felt like a narrow path had expanded into a world of opportunities.
“My parents were very instrumental in leading me down the path of business,” she said. “From there, I decided it would be the best way to optimize my options to lead me to success.”
Weitzel aimed to employ her creativity while pursuing this field, inciting her to focus on a degree in business with an emphasis on marketing.
There were several challenges in switching majors.
“I was already behind the power curve, having not taken any business courses in my freshman year,” said Weitzel. “But after a few rigorous semesters of extra classes and a full summer dedicated to accounting, I managed to catch up on most of the critical tracking requirements.”
Weitzel was made to be very diligent in planning out her junior and senior year, carefully scheduling available courses to stay on track, and in turn, allowing her to complete the remaining requirements, ensuring she would graduate on time.
“My experience at the Heavener School of Business has been challenging, but equally rewarding,” she said. “In my most recent internship, I focused on the digital and social media side of marketing, which truly confirmed that I’ve found the career path I’m passionate about.”
Heavener offers a wide range of networking and informational events to support students’ professional development.
“There are endless resources and events happening every week,” Weitzel said. “As I started attending, I realized the connections I’ve built with faculty, speakers, and peers will be crucial in achieving my career goals.”
The Warrington’s combination degree program has also played a key role in Weitzel’s academic journey, allowing her to complete 50 percent of her master’s degree in marketing while still an undergraduate student.
“I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity,” Weitzel said. “It’s given me the drive and confidence to pursue a successful career after graduation. I cannot wait to discover what the future has in store for me.”
