Alumni Voices

 

Jersey-born and raised, I am full of passion, dedication, and a lot of ambition to create a good time for others. I started college at Ocean County College. While there, I was unsure of what I wanted to do (like any 18-20 year old). I changed my major a couple of times and stumbled into a Conferences, Conventions, & Special Events class. I left there that day knowing that I wanted to produce events, it was the first thing that lit a fire under me.  I transferred to Stockton in the fall of 2017.  Diving into becoming a board member of the Hospitality Society, working in campus housing, becoming an Orientation Leader, and a member of the T.A.L.O.N.S., I realized there was adrenaline that came with events and programming that I wanted more of.

 

After spending way too long getting my degree, I graduated at the beginning of the end of the world with a B.S. in Hospitality Management.  Just like the rest of the world, things were turned upside down and it was time to pivot. In the meantime, I worked with an STR company and helped open the doors of a local coffee shop, Hayday, in Atlantic City.  In March 2021, I jumped right back where I left off at Good Time Tricycle Productions where I was the spring intern in 2020.  Since then, I have been an Event Coordinator and Project Manager for them. Wearing more hats than just that, I like to say my job description is, "A jack of all trades is a master of none, but often better than a master of one."  You can find me coordinating project and festival operations, greeting thousands of attendees, and curating an environment for others like they've never experienced before.

My time at Stockton really prepared me for this because I wasn’t afraid to be a part of a team. Working for Good Time Tricycle Productions is the ultimate team, and I wouldn’t be here if it were not for Stockton.  During my time there, I used all of my resources to get involved. I am beyond thankful for those opportunities because they helped mold me into who I am today. From answering phones in the housing office to welcoming incoming freshmen; assisting in orientation tours, or volunteering with the hospitality society.  The common ground in all of that is that they made a valuable connection and experience with others. That truly set the tone for what I wanted to do post-graduation -- give 100,000+ people a reason to come to South Jersey each year to celebrate beer, seafood, tattoos, and all lifestyle events.

My advice for new graduates is to pretend that while you are at Stockton you have another degree in Networking. It’s imperative to make, keep and follow up with connections. Even in a segment of the industry you are not focused on, hospitality is about making a better experience for the consumer, and it is important for us all to work together. My other piece of advice is to remember to be a lifelong student and never stop learning. The industry is constantly shifting with the market and what’s trending. It’s crucial to stay up on what’s happening, be connected, ask questions and continue to be an innovator in the industry.