Michelle Enkerlin
New York University (Stern)
“I love experiencing new places, cultures, and moments- unless it’s during winter.”
Fun fact about yourself: Spanish was my first language.
Hometown: San Diego, CA
High School: Poway High School
Major: Business Administration, Concentrating in Global Business & Marketing
Minor: German
Favorite Business Course: International Business Management with Professor Salomon
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:
Undergraduate Stern Women in Business: Study Abroad Liaison & Mentor (August 2016-Present), Pride Corp: VP of Allyship (September 2015-May 2017), “Voices from Abroad” Stern Blogger (August 2016-December 2016), NYU Ski & Snowboard Club
Inter-Club Council Collaborative Leadership Award (Spring 2017), NYU Stern School of Business Dean’s List (2015-2016), PwC Case Competition Semi-Finalist (Fall 2015)
Where have you interned during your college career?
Outbrain: HR and Internal Communications Intern, New York, NY
LaCroix: College Brand Ambassador, New York, NY
IBM: Performance and Programmatic Marketing Intern, New York, NY
360i: Insights and Planning Intern, New York, NY
Marina Hoermanseder: Global Marketing Intern, Berlin, Germany
Pura Vida Bracelets: Social Media Marketing Intern, San Diego, CA
Outbrain: Amplify and Engage Account Management Intern, New York, NY
Where will you be working after graduation? Google: Associate Product Marketing Manager
What did you enjoy most about your business school? I enjoyed getting exposure to so many professionals, industries, and roles and being able to connect with my professional network after school. Because NYU is in the city, I was able to pursue many of these learning opportunities during the school year through internships and get a better idea of what the industries I was most interested in offer.
What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? Business has the potential to have a huge impact on society and the world, but its impact can be both negative and positive.
“If I didn’t major in business, I would be majoring in or studying…architecture or design because I like creating spaces and experiences for others to enjoy. I believe that I still have a passion to learn more about those fields, even though they are just hobbies. I enjoy using my creative skills to create something new and plan to incorporate this passion into my after-work activities. I also hope to continue photography and potentially create a small photography business on the side.”
What has surprised you most about majoring in business? I have been surprised most by how many businesses and professionals do not focus on long-term strategies and outcomes. I believe looking at the bigger picture and long-term success is what is most important and we need more leaders that will provide and guide those visions, while taking all stakeholders into account. I hope to also work towards eliminating the gender roles that still persist in society and hinder our progress and look forward to seeing more diverse leaders with long-term visions develop.
Who most influenced your decision to pursue business in college? My “mini-businesses” growing up had the biggest influence on my final decision. I always enjoyed selling gift wrapping for school fundraisers, Girl Scout cookies, arts and crafts I made. I saw myself as eventually running a proper business. I figured getting a business degree would be broad and interesting and give me the skill set to pursue any of my many interests later in life.
Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? I am most proud of my work planning and executing NYU Ally Week at Stern 2016 and 2017. As the VP of Allyship for a Professional LGBTQ+ Alliance (Stern Pride Corp), I learned so much about the challenges my friends and peers face daily. Although I did not directly relate, I learned more about myself and how I can improve to ensure that I personally never make anyone feel excluded or demoralized. Planning Ally Week showed me that I want to continue raising awareness in whichever organization I am in. I especially want to work for groups and causes that do not yet have strong voices because that is where allies are most important. The biggest lesson I learned is that allyship is an action, and we never stop learning.
Which classmate do you most admire? I most admire a classmate and friend of mine who graduated two years ago. They were facing some serious health challenges at the time (and still are) and never let that hold them back. They took every opportunity and constantly worked hard for themselves and for everyone else. I felt that this student would fight for me and defend me in whatever situation and had the courage and ability to take on any great feat. They never let their health problems become an excuse and left a huge mark on the Stern community as a result.
Who would you most want to thank for your success? I would thank my mom most because she gave up her own business and career advancement to move to the United States in order for her kids to have more opportunities. If she had not sacrificed her personal career goals, I do not think I would have had the opportunities I did that led me to where I am now.
What would your theme song be? “Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys
What are the top two items on your bucket list? Learn a new language & live abroad again
Favorite book: Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
Favorite movie: Mean Girls (2004)
Favorite vacation spot: Most of the beaches in San Diego, CA (Home is home)
What are your hobbies? Photography, arts and crafts, fashion design and styling, color-coding anything, dancing, hiking, swimming, boogie-boarding, and traveling
What made Michelle such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2018?
“Michelle stands out for her leadership qualities — both in formal leadership positions and as a member of our dynamic community. As the organizer of NYU Stern Undergraduate College’s annual Ally Week last year, Michelle was instrumental in bringing together industry partners, alumni, and students from across the school to engage in a week-long conversation and celebration of allyship (the active and consistent practice of unlearning and re-evaluating beliefs and actions, in which a person seeks to work in solidarity with a marginalized individual or group of people). Michelle models allyship every day with her genuine, positive, can-do attitude, which is truly contagious. In the classroom and at work, she has employed her emotional intelligence and academic talents to bring her unique brand of positivism to bear on the world around her; we look forward to counting Michelle as one our influential alumni and to seeing what she will do next!”
Ashish Bhatia
Assistant Dean of Students, Engagement, & Innovation
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