Allie Croce '23 has never met Jessica Salmon, Ph.D., associate professor of management, in person, but a brief note from the professor changed Allie's year and maybe her professional trajectory.
Allie transferred into Siena following two years of community college, and the business major (with concentrations in international business and fundamentals of finance) assumed there was no way she could study abroad for a full semester and still graduate in two years. She had put the thought of an international semester out of mind, until she reviewed her professor's feedback on an assignment that was part of her online international management course.
"Dr. Salmon made a comment on a paper, and told me that if I was really interested in international finance, I should look into the England internship program with the Study Abroad office."
A few days later, Allie met with Matt Schiesel '15, associate director of study abroad and international fellowships. They discovered that if she swapped a financial planning concentration for fundamentals of finance, they could make it work. Before Allie read Dr. Salmon's comment, study abroad wasn't on her radar. Within a week, her semester in London was scheduled.
Allie is a financial intern with Marriott International from the financial capital of the world. New York can make its own claim, depending on perspective, but approximately 43 percent of global financial exchanges are processed through London. If you're interested in international business, a financial internship in London puts you at the heartbeat of financial commerce.
"Being here has definitely shaped me in more ways than I can count. I had to step out of my comfort zone and get out of my little box in Loudonville. The knowledge I'll take back with me will give me an advantage of students who don't have this experience. I'll be a better candidate in the eyes of employers."
Allie's taking four classes including her six-credit internship course, which promotes hands-on opportunities. Allie is working with accounts payable and gross revenue reports, all of which are helping her narrow her specific areas of interest. Plus, she's getting a cultural experience she hadn't counted on.
"I assumed I wanted to study in London because it was more like America. That seemed safer. I didn't realize how culturally diverse London actually is and that's been one of the best parts of this experience. It's impacted how I see things. I'm more culturally aware of my interactions."
The moral of the story for students? Make sure you read the notes left by your professors. You never know which comment may change your life.
