Marissa Giannetto: 2016 Best and Brightest

Marissa Giannetto Boston College

Marissa Giannetto

Boston College, Carroll School of Management

Hometown: Northborough, MA

High School: Algonquin Regional High School

Major: Management, concentrations in Finance and Accounting

Minor: International Studies

Favorite Business Courses: Operations Strategy & Consulting, Basic Finance, Financial Accounting Standards & Theory II

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College: Vice President of Consult Your Community, Portico Teaching Assistant, Peer Career Advisor, Undergraduate Research Assistant, Big Sister, Dean’s List First Honors

Where have you interned during your college career?

Ameriprise Financial – Hopkinton, MA – Financial Planning Intern (Freshmen and Sophomore summers)

Deloitte – Boston, MA – Advisory Intern (Junior summer)

World Computer Exchange – Hull, MA – Sales/Research Intern (Junior summer)

Describe your dream job: I am really excited to enter the consulting field of helping companies to design strategies for growth and long-term success. I want to get immersed in as many different projects as I can starting out to understand a variety of industries and project work. My ultimate goal is to be a part of social impact work, which may be through consulting for nonprofits or impact investing. I want to be able to utilize my business skills to then give back to the community in some way.

What did you enjoy most about majoring in a business-related field? I loved being able to apply everything that I learned in the academic setting to something in the real world. All of my business classes brought in current events, guest speakers, and real life cases studies that made the learning experience engaging and I could see the practicality of what I was learning.

Where would you like to work after graduation? I will be working at Deloitte Consulting as a Strategy & Operations Business Analyst.

What are your long-term professional goals? I plan to start out in strategy consulting, get my MBA in a few years, and potentially work internationally at some point. Eventually, I would like to work in social enterprise or nonprofit management.

“I knew I wanted to major in business when… I had the opportunity to take business classes in my high school and participated in the DECA case competitions. I loved learning about businesses and applying what I learned in the business strategy case competitions.” 

“If I didn’t major in business, I would be…an International Studies major, with a journalism or English minor. I always thought I would be a writer, and had the dream job of becoming a travel journalist. One of my favorite books, Around the World in Fifty Years by Albert Podell, has been an inspiration for exploring new places and I had thought I would follow that path. I know studying business was the right path for me, though, as I have loved learning about how companies operate in a globalizing world and I am excited to fulfill my thirst for adventure through traveling with my job.”

What was the happiest moment of your life? I think one of my happiest moments was hiking to a mountain peak in the Pyrenees mountains in Spain. While it was a long and challenging hike that took all day to get to the top, I had never seen something so beautiful. It was truly a rewarding experience to do with the group of friends that I was traveling with.

Which academic or personal achievement are you most proud of? I am most proud of a community awareness event I hosted for the nonprofit Birthday Wishes in order to increase donations. It was my first experience in event planning, and I felt accomplished when the final event came together successfully after months of planning. It was challenging to coordinate, but it could not have been a better outcome in seeing the impact I was able to have on an organization I cared so much about.

What animal would you choose to represent your professional brand? I would choose a dog because they are known for loyalty and forming strong relationship bonds which I think are important qualities to have.

Who would you most want to thank for your success? I would undoubtedly thank my parents first and foremost since they have been incredibly supportive and always provide me with insightful advice.

Fun fact about yourself: I have travelled to 16 different countries.

Favorite book: The Camel Club series by David Baldacci

Favorite movie: The Bourne Trilogy

Favorite musical performer: U2

Favorite vacation spot: My family’s lake house in New Hampshire.

What are your hobbies? Skiing, hiking, exploring new places

What made Marissa such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2016?

“When recruiters are asked why they recruit at Boston College, the most common initial response is that BC students are well-rounded. I can think of no student who better exemplifies this than Marissa. She has done very well academically, while studying finance and accounting with a minor in international studies. She studied at University College Dublin in the fall of her junior year, exploring courses in culture and art as well as business and management. Outside of the classroom, she has been a peer advisor in the Career Center and helped start an organization called “Consult Your Community,” in which Boston College students consult area businesses in need. She has worked with neighborhood bodegas as well as non-profits in need of management consulting. Her training as a peer advisor in the Career Center has caught notice as well. Often, when faculty and administrators need a student to mentor another (whether it be a resume critique, interview prep, or just general career advice) Marissa is the first person called upon. And she does it all with great humility and calm. Despite being incredibly motivated and hard-working, Marissa always displays an air of calm. Her accounting professor, Amy LaCombe, describes here as dedicated and steady. According to Amy, “Marissa has such a calm and mature nature, as well as a critical eye. She understands the big picture and is willing to do the little things to achieve success. And, she is so disciplined in the day-to-day tasks.” In summary, Marissa has earned enormous respect from faculty and administrators at Boston College. She has experienced much, helped many, and has always done so without the need for recognition. She has been the highest of achievers due to her work ethic and her ability to always be the most prepared person in the room. Yet, she carries herself with a calm, a grace, and a humility that elevates all around her. She truly exemplifies Boston College’s motto of “Ever to Excel.”

Ethan Sullivan
Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Curriculum and Director of the Honors Program
Boston College, Carroll School of Management

 

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