Emily Foo
University of Richmond, Robins School of Business
“Spreading smiles by greeting everyone and every opportunity with a smile.”
Fun fact about yourself: Any of my social media followers can tell you that I love dogs. I enjoy exploring the fun personal brands dog owners have created for their pups. Some are sassy 10 lb. poodles living in a big city and others are lazy fur-balls that think about food all day.
Hometown: Rochester, NY
High School: Brighton High School
Major: Business Administration, concentrating in Marketing
Favorite Business Courses: Digital Marketing, Product Development & Innovation, Integrated Marketing Communications, Business Statistics
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:
- Board of Trustees Business Management Committee Student Representative
- Alpha Kappa Psi – Chapter President
- Bonner Scholar
- Robins School of Business Student Government Association – Senator
- Kappa Alpha Theta – IT Director, HR Director
- Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society
- Dean’s List
- Marketing Department Research Assistant
- Q-Camp Professional Development Program Ambassador
- New Student Orientation Advisor
- Panhellenic Council – Rho Gamma
Where have you interned during your college career?
- City of Richmond Sustainability Office, Richmond, VA – Sustainability Intern
- Tribal Worldwide, New York, NY – Account Management Intern for Three Musketeers and Robitussin Accounts
- Spider Management Company, Richmond, VA – Client Relations Intern
- American Diabetes Association, Rochester, NY – Special Events Intern
- Foodlink, Rochester, NY – Nutrition Education Department Intern
Describe your dream Job: My dream job would be working as an Imagineer at Disney focusing on R&D for new rides and exhibits. Since my first trip to the Disney World Parks, the brand has never lost its magic. My dream is to work alongside some of the brightest minds to continuously improve the park experience for visitors of all ages.
What did you enjoy most about majoring in a business-related field? I love that there is not always a right or wrong answer. I’ve enjoyed connecting different parts of my core business curriculum and using perspectives from outside the business school to find creative solutions to real-world problems.
What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? Business is about people. People are the at the crux of all companies and are ultimately at the end of every sale you make. If you are continuously looking for ways to enhance people’s experiences with your product or company, you’ll find a way for everything else to fall into place.
Where would you like to work after graduation? My plan is to be working at a Digital Advertising Agency in Manhattan as an Assistant Account Executive.
What are your long-term professional goals? I hope to gain experience on both the agency and client side of advertising and to work for a client whose brand I’m truly passionate about. No matter where I am, I want to be making a positive impact.
What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? No business-related field stands alone. Don’t get too caught up in the title of your major. If you follow what you enjoy doing, you’ll be able to use it to get into whatever industry you want to be in.
“I knew I wanted to major in business when…I took an entrepreneurship class in High School and created my first business plan for a company called Foo Cakes – ‘Cupcakes with a Fortune.’ Foo Cakes are cupcakes that have fortunes or personalized messages printed inside the bottom of the wrapper.”
“If I didn’t major in business, I would be…studying art and design while traveling in Europe.”
“Before I entered business school, I wish I had known…not to be scared off from topics that may not come easily. A great professor can make difficult topics exciting and turn them into some of your favorites.”
What was the happiest moment of your life? The happiest moment of my life was when my younger sister decided to come to the University of Richmond. Being able to share this experience with her has been so special and she makes campus feel even more like home.
Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? I’m most proud of being elected President of my Alpha Kappa Psi Chapter. Since joining this business fraternity Fall of my Freshman year, I had dreamed of being a leader in the organization. Through new brotherhood rituals, professional development opportunities, and philanthropy events, I’m so proud of all that our executive board and the fraternity has accomplished.
What animal would you choose to represent your professional brand? I’d choose an otter. These critters don’t need to be the biggest animal in the sea to be a leader. They are patient, determined, clever, and understand the importance of both work and play.
Who would you most want to thank for your success? I’d like to thank my parents. If I could summarize what my parents have taught me in one word, it would be balance. From a balanced breakfast to a balanced leadership style, understanding that life is give and take has kept me grounded and focused.
What would you like your business school peers to say about you after you graduate from this program? I hope to be thought of someone you can count on, a creative problem solver and always positive.
Favorite book: Moneyball by Michael Lewis. As a secret statistics lover and a softball player for the first 16 years of my life, this is my kind of book.
Favorite movie: Parent Trap
Favorite musical performer: Florida Georgia Line
Favorite vacation spot: Canadaigua Lake. Since I can remember, I’ve spent the summer on this Finger Lake in Upstate New York with my family.
What are your hobbies? Trying new restaurants, visiting art museums, yoga
What made Emily such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2017?
“Typically, the instructor is the one who inspires students unless, of course, Emily Foo is a member of the class. Then, roles quickly get reversed. Her gracious and polite demeanor combined with her commanding intellect makes her presence in class immediately felt by everyone. Emily has a unique ability to go well beyond the text. She is instinctively able to combine the reading material with real life and internship experiences that add a special dimension to class discussions. Emily is so hard working and conscientious that I can reliably call on her to answer the most complex questions or to mediate on topics where other students have disagreements. She not only sets the bar higher for me to be more thoughtful and engaged as an instructor, but she also has a contagious vibrancy that enlightens her fellow students to perform better in class.”
Bill Bergman
Instructor of Marketing
University of Richmond, Robins School of Business
DON’T MISS: THE FULL HONOR ROLL: THE BEST & BRIGHTEST UNDERGRADUATE BUSINESS MAJORS OF 2017
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