Feature Stories 2016: Megan DeBarros: Internships and mentors point the way to success

Year: Class of 2016
Major: Marketing
Minor: International Business
Hometown: Seekonk, MA
Internships: RI Novelty, Your Sports Marketing Group
Next steps: Northeast Sales Associate at Becton Dickinson

Internship with RI Novelty

Rhode Island Novelty is a leading designer, importer, and distributor of novelties, toys, giftware, and incentive merchandise. I worked hands-on with the website, email marketing, market research, social media and much more. I learned a lot about digital marketing, advertising, and marketing campaign strategies.

The internship allowed me to use all the information I had been absorbing in class in a real work setting, as well as to understand terms and strategies I had not yet learned in class. I feel the internship put me a step ahead of my peers.

Your Sports Marketing Group internship

I also completed an internship with Your Sports Marketing Group (YSMG) following my freshman year. As an athlete myself, I felt that sports marketing would be a great field to explore. 

YSMG offers sports marketing services such as player endorsements and event development. I began as an unpaid intern and advanced to become an executive marketing assistant working directly with YSMG’s president.

This internship was my “coolest”—I had the chance to meet most of the Boston Bruins along with celebrities including Rob Gronkowski, Legarrette Blount, Ervin “Magic” Johnson, and others.

I helped organize and publicize athlete signing events and silent auctions for sports memorabilia. I learned a lot about the sports marketing business—and received added bonuses such as pictures with the players, autographed photos, and game tickets.

My goal is to become an alumna who gives back to current students.

Charlton networking leads to mentors

Management professor David Burke encouraged me to attend a Charlton networking event, where I found myself surrounded by successful area professionals. That’s where I met my most influential mentors: Joyce Antine, senior philanthropic officer for the Charlton College of Business; and Jeff Duchemin, a UMass Dartmouth alumnus who is the CEO of Harvard Bioscience.

I met with Jeff twice a year; he helped guide me through college and finding the career that is right for my skill set and personality.

Both Joyce and Jeff have gone out of their way to help me any way they can, which pushes me to work hard but also makes me want to help others as well. They have set a high standard for me, and I will not allow myself to let them down.

Future UMass Dartmouth mentor

I graduated a semester early in December with my goal of a 3.8 or higher GPA. I started working in January as a Northeast Sales Associate for Becton Dickinson (BD).

I work in medical device sales, my goal for a couple years. I've been in intense training, and I've been in a different state almost every week since I've started.

I'm very grateful for the opportunities I was given and my mentors, who helped steer me in the right direction.

My goals are to complete my training at BD and run my own territory in a year and to become the "next Jeff Duchemin" of UMass Dartmouth—an alumna who is proud of her school and who gives back to current students.

I would love to return to UMass Dartmouth and help students find the career path right for them, just as other alumni have done for me.

My mentors at UMassD inspire me to work hard because they themselves have had to compete with Ivy League alumni, but they proved themselves, and they’ve given me the confidence and resources to know that I can prove myself as well.

Memorable moment: volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club

I was on the UMassD women’s soccer team for two years, which was the best two years of my life. I was able to continue my passion for sports, while volunteering for numerous organizations with the best 25 friends I could ask for. Volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club of Fall River was fun because we were together and helping people at the same time.

I vividly remember a little girl saying, “I wish I could go to college, but I don’t have any money.” This broke my heart. I told her how college works for people who may not have the funds, and her eyes were opened as wide as her smile. She jumped with excitement in the hope that that she could eventually be like the girls on the UMassD soccer team. I’m blessed to have that memory.

More information

• Charlton Internships