Feature Stories 2018: Mary Rose Isabelle '18: Operations Management

Applying knowledge gained in the classroom

In May 2018, I earned my degree in operations management at UMass Dartmouth’s Charlton College of Business. My degree helped prepare me for my career. Because I was working while I was attending school, I began to think more broadly in terms of my job. And on my job, I began to apply what I was learning in the classroom. I learned a lot about cost ratios, price negotiations, and the importance of customer satisfaction in order to help the company generate a higher revenue.

Receiving recognition for academic excellence

Being placed on Dean’s List during the first semester of my freshman year aspired me to keep up that work ethic. When I heard about a Chancellor’s List, I worked harder to try to achieve this kind of recognition every semester. I finally made the Chancellor’s List during my final semester at UMassD.

Pursuing leadership roles on campus

My first leadership role in the workplace started my freshman year. I managed offsite facilities at Mass Premier Courts in Foxboro, which is an indoor basketball facility that houses six courts. Two years later, I became a manager at the facility, and I was responsible for overseeing all of the activities as well as opening and closing the building.

The leadership skills I gained have prepared me for my future career because I know how to effectively communicate with people and manage them based on their personal communication styles. I continue to grow as a leader, which I believe is an essential quality for success. Because I enjoy taking on leadership roles, the jobs I have been pursuing are management positions.

Having a managerial background is advantageous. During my interviews, I’ve noticed that employers were impressed with my résumé, given that I have been in a management position for a number of years.

I was also a student ambassador at the Charlton College of Business during my junior and senior years. The group of students and faculty I worked with were doing amazing things with their careers. And this inspired me to reach out to my alma mater to share an amazing opportunity I gained.

Gaining real-world experience

I completed an internship at the Pawtucket Red Sox as a concessions operations intern. I oversaw an area that included various food carts, a grill area, and beer stands. There were about 20 employees on staff. I learned a great deal about teamwork and how to get to know the people you oversee. My internship has given me the confidence to pursue higher-level positions.

With the help of my then-advisor Chan Du, I returned to campus to talk about my experiences as an intern with the Pawtucket Red Sox and to share that I landed a new job that complements my educational background. Everyone was so supportive of the students and ambassadors, including Dean Kathy Carter who remarked on our successes and accomplishments.

Launching my career

I recently accepted a position with Aramark as part of their Accelerate to Leadership Program at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, TX – the stadium where the San Antonio Spurs play. In my role as a Customer Dining Manager, I will manage dining operations. I will also look at trends and data in terms of sales; analyze performance metrics, data, order, and inventory trends; and educate teams on key levers to improve margins.

Earning my operations management degree at Charlton College of Business equipped me with the skills needed to professionally succeed in my new position.