2019 Best & Brightest: Jessica Roberts, Villanova University

Jessica Roberts

Villanova University School of Business

“Introverted extrovert with a Santa Claus laugh and an addiction to internships.”

Fun fact about yourself: I got to help ring the closing bell during my first internship and my picture was displayed on the NASDAQ building; live in Times Square.

Hometown: Long Island, NY

High School: Long Island Lutheran Middle & High School

Major: Marketing

Minor: Management Information Systems

Favorite Business Course: Buyer Behavior, Marketing Major Elective Course

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:

  • Villanova Marketing Group, Brand Team Leader
  • VSB Mentor Program, Marketing Intern
  • Sophomore Service Learning Community, Co-chair of Recruitment
  • VSB Ambassadors, Member
  • Pennsylvania Special Olympics, Local Program Host

Where have you interned during your college career?

Discovery: Oprah Winfrey Network Advertising Sales Intern ………………………………..New York, NY

Johnson & Johnson: Customer Development Co-Op …………………………………Fort Washington, PA

Unilever: Brand Marketing Intern……………………………………………………………… Englewood Cliffs, NJ

QVC: E-Commerce Optimization Intern ………………………………………………………..West Chester, PA

QVC (HSN): Marketing Development Fund Intern ………………………………………….West Chester, PA

Where will you be working after graduation? Johnson & Johnson: Consumer Customer Development Leadership Program Associate

What company do you admire most? The company I admire most is Johnson & Johnson. One of the primary reasons I chose to return to the company was because of their high level of integrity in business and dedication to their consumers. The Credo is a living statement that guides every decision made by the organization. During my co-op, I was able to see, first-hand, how every employee and decision was directly ranked against the Credo. I love that they set a standard and live up to it in every way.

What did you enjoy most about your business school? What I enjoyed most about my business school is the Backpack to Briefcase, professional development series. Within each of our four years in VSB, we took a B2B class that would help strengthen our professionalism. Some of my favorite lessons were regarding video interviewing, utilizing LinkedIn, professional etiquette, and strategic thinking. At first, the classes felt like more work, but in the long run it paid off in interviews and internships.

What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? My advice to students interested in business would be to look for a general business class that will introduce you to every area. At Villanova, we took a Business Dynamics class that showed us glimpses into the different areas of business. That was a great opportunity for me to uncover Marketing as my true passion. Overall, if you’re interested in business, just be open to everything. Don’t silo yourself into a particular area.

What has surprised you most about majoring in business? What surprised me most about majoring in business was how interwoven all the areas of business are. I always thought every area did their respective parts to drive the business. However, through my studies I realized how essential it is to understand the implications and importance of all areas in order to better understand your responsibilities.

“If I didn’t major in business, I would be majoring in or studying…psychology. I have a passion for people and love to study human behavior. Through my marketing major and internships, I have been able to explore this interest in a relevant way. As a psychology major, I would have continued my studies and become a psychiatrist. I’m a great listener and would have devoted my work to helping others live their most authentic lives.”

Who most influenced your decision to pursue business in college? The person who most influenced my decision to pursue business was my Uncle George. He and I would often get into debates about pursuing law vs. business in school. As I further explored the opportunities at different colleges, I realized that I really wanted to study business.  During our debates, he always reminded me that a career in business could open the door for numerous career paths because it was so universal.

Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? I place a lot of value on experiential learning. Therefore, I am most proud of the number of internships I’ve been able to participate in; five internships was never a goal I set out for myself. I’ve learned so much from my experience across the media, CPG, and retail industries. I’m excited to finally be able to start my career at a company I love.

Which classmate do you most admire? The classmate I admire most is Nicole Anderson. Nicole is someone who never ceases to amaze me. She redefines what it means to be “fearless in the pursuit of your dreams.” Built with a heart of gold, she has unparalleled passion for global health, environmental, and social change. As business majors, we are often pressured to fall into traditional career paths after graduation; however, with Nicole that is not the case. She is a firm believer in doing what makes you happy regardless of what society deems to be the “correct” path for you to take.

Who would you most want to thank for your success? I would like to thank my mom for my success. She is the reason I chose to go into marketing and my greatest mentor. Her career is one that I always looked to as a shining star. I am so much like her that I think I was born to go into marketing just as she did. She has and always will be a guiding light through my career. Her professional advice and presence was something I truly treasured throughout my childhood and in present journey. She’s the reason I am who I am.

What are the top two items on your bucket list?

  • Visit Giraffe Manor in Nairobi, Kenya
  • See the Northern Lights in Fairbanks, Alaska

What are your hobbies? My hobbies include hanging out with friends, volunteering through various community service activities, and working out.

What made Jessica such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2019?

“Jessica Roberts brings joy and exuberance to everything she does. She genuinely wants to learn and grow. When she asks how you are doing, you know that she is truly interested in your well-being. She is humble about her successes and sees all difficulties as opportunities. I have never seen Jessica without a smile on her face. Put those qualities together with high-level brainpower, and you’ve got a superstar. We are all so proud of what Jessica has accomplished!”

Stephen Liedtka
Associate Professor
Accountancy, Villanova University School of Busines

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