Name: Alex Kelly
Where are you from? Revere, MA
Where do you currently live (neighborhood/town)? I actually bought the house I grew up in. I’m now the fourth generation to live in own it, which is something I am extremely proud of.
Where did you complete your undergraduate degree and what is your degree in Suffolk University – BA in Communications. Major: Public Relations. Minor: American Studies (this is what you get when you take almost all of your electives with Professor Allison)
Are you studying full time or part time? Part-time
Do you have work experience? If so, where/what: I am the Digital Marketing Manager at Nutter, McClennen & Fish, one of Boston’s top law firms. I also am a part-time Sales Professional at Tiffany & Co. in Copley Place.
Why did you choose to get your MBA? I chose to get my MBA because I wanted my resume to stand out from other candidates. Having an advanced degree can never hurt you (especially in this town), so I thought it was both a good commitment of my time and a superior investment of my money. I chose Suffolk because of my amazing undergraduate experience here. We also have a diverse, international student base that can only make you more globally business-minded.
What is your ultimate career goal? I’d like to be CMO someday. Right now, I’m acquiring the skills I need to get there and enjoying the journey on the way to that goal. Grad school will be a major milestone completed on the way there. Another career goal of mine is to teach. Imparting wisdom on others can only make you better at what you know. Digital Marketing and Sales are two subjects that are near and dear to me, so of course, I’d like to teach them to others one day.
What has been your favorite part of your graduate experience at Suffolk so far? I’d have to say traveling to China for MBA740 was the most life-changing experience I’ve had so far in my professional development. Not only do you get immersed into Eastern culture, but you get to get an insider’s look at how business is done in a different culture. The most invaluable part was that I came back from China with 15 new friends for life.
What advice would you give to incoming SBS grad students? The two best pieces of advice came from Dean Behnam at an information session before I even applied to the program:
- Differentiate your MBA – I chose a concentration in Supply Chain Management and got my PMP certification because it differentiates me as a marketer. I understand and respect the operational side of the business and that can be key when building relationships across departments and business lines.
- Build your network – The degree is great, but the network is gold, which is why I’m usually the first to suggest going out for cocktails after class.
Share a fun fact about yourself: I was the Photo Editor and the Arts & Entertainment Editor of The Suffolk Journal when I was an undergrad at Suffolk.