Caitlin Proce ’14: Marketing in NYC
One major concern for students graduating from college is finding a job. Finding one they love is a dream come true. Communication major Caitlin Proce ’14, originally from Long Island, did just that and is now living her dream in New York City. She’s working as a direct sales associate for the client development team at Rakuten Affiliate, a job the company created specifically for her. Rakuten Affiliate is a marketing firm that creates partnerships between advertisers and publishers. Proce’s role includes fielding all calls that come to into the company, identifying those that qualify to have Rakuten represent them, and generating reports on all sales that are made.
During her academic career at Keene State, Proce was very involved with the campus community. “I worked as a student ambassador, and I worked as a student fundraiser in Keene State’s Phonathon program. I also had multiple internships on campus. Raising money for the KSC Fund, which helps students pay for college, really prepared me for my career in sales. Speaking with alumni as potential donors taught me how to tailor my language to a specific customer and help them meet their needs.”
Proce credits a lot of her communication classes and her instructors for her success. “Professor Michael McCarthy’s public speaking class that I took freshman year stays with me to this day,” she said. “It helped me during the interviewing process, and it taught me how to speak one-on-one with a customer or client. The professors in the Communication Department helped me with my career too. Jamie Landau pushed me to work harder than any other professor, and she really instilled a strong work ethic in me.”
Proce hopes prospective and current Keene State students see how much the College prepares them for work outside of the classroom. Her advice to students? “Build your resume—have your teachers and professors help you with creating the best resume you can. Look to them for internship opportunities and connections.” She also warns students to be careful of how they present themselves outside the classroom. “Monitor your social media, and make sure you present yourself in a professional manner. Get involved—being involved in your community builds connections. Volunteer, because it shows you want to help your community, and also shows that you are a team player. Just make the most of your high school and college experiences. It will be worth it in the end.”
by Matthew Pereira, KSC Marketing & Communications intern
