2017 Best & Brightest: Zoe Makropoulos, Rutgers Business School (New Brunswick)

Zoe Makropoulos

Rutgers Business School, New Brunswick

“I consider myself to be a creative and determined individual who loves to learn, network and try new things!”

Fun fact about yourself: I can sing every 90’s Disney song by heart!

Hometown: South Brunswick, N.J.

High School: South Brunswick High School

Major: Marketing

Minor: Modern Greek Studies

Favorite Business Courses: Consumer Behavior, Business Policy & Strategy, Marketing Research

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:

  • Instructor- First Year Interest Group Seminar (Topic: Business)
  • Student Adviser- Rutgers Business School Innovation Committee
  • Vice President- Rutgers Hellenic Cultural Association (Previously: Secretary, Public Relations chair)
  • Teaching Assistant- Rutgers Business School (Course: Innovation, Creativity & Entrepreneurship)
  • Mentor- Rutgers Business School Peer Mentoring Program
  • Counselor- Rutgers Business School Summer Camp
  • Vito Cardace Scholarship Recipient (2016)
  • International Service Learning Scholarship (2014)
  • Dean’s List

Where have you interned during your college career?

  • Brand Ambassador—Keds
  • Marketing & Digital Media Intern—Rutgers Business School (New Brunswick, N.J.), Office of Career Management
  • Talent Development & Recruitment Intern—NBC News (Manhattan, N.Y.)
  • Public Relations Intern—NBC News (Manhattan N.Y.)

Describe your dream Job: I would love to teach at the university level—maybe even become a dean. I’ve had teaching opportunities that have motivated me to want to educate future business professionals from around the world. I would love to share my knowledge to inspire innovation in future business leaders.

What did you enjoy most about majoring in a business-related field? The thing I enjoyed most about majoring in a business-related field would be realizing how relevant business is in today’s world. Business can dictate everything from politics to personal decisions and fosters so much of the innovation we see today. I’ve enjoyed discussing current events with my peers, learning about the ins and outs of business organizations and how we, as future leaders, can work to better those same businesses.

What is the biggest lesson you gained from business school? Though it may seem cliché, the biggest lesson I’ve gained is that everything is a business. Being a business major has opened my eyes to the endless possibilities of business applications. Every industry, every innovation, every facet of our lives is touched by business. Zoe / Rutgers

Where would you like to work after graduation? I would like to work in some aspect of the entertainment or media industries, in a marketing or public relations role.

What are your long-term professional goals? After working in a public company for a few years, I hope to return to school to get my MBA. In the long-term, I also hope to become a lecturer or professor of business and possibly open up my own restaurant with my family.

“I knew I wanted to major in business when…I completed my first semester at Rutgers Business School. I was completely against the idea of business when I was first admitted to Rutgers. But finishing my first semester and getting my first internship changed my mind completely. I realized I could truly make a difference in any number of industries with the vast skillset that I would gain with a business education.”

“If I didn’t major in business, I would be…a journalism major with a concentration in public relations and digital media.”

“Before I entered business school, I wish I had known…that you can’t plan for everything. I wanted to take advantage of every opportunity that I had, but there just is no way you can do it all. I’ve learned during my time in business school that it’s important to create opportunities for yourself, but it‘s more important to balance the ones you take on and give them 110 percent.”

What was the happiest moment of your life? One of the happiest moments of my life was when my youngest sister was born. Having a 10-year age difference can be difficult at times but from the moment she was born, she pushed me to become a better role model and sister.

Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? The achievement I am most proud of is having fulfilled my dream of interning at NBC. Being accepted into such a prestigious program as Campus to Careers, has been the highlight of my college experience. I learned invaluable lessons and forged many new connections.

What animal would you choose to represent your professional brand? I would choose a dolphin to represent my professional brand. Dolphins are often considered to be intelligent. They foster a caring environment and promote a sense of mentorship among themselves. They are very social and energetic and protective. I think these traits are all important and reflective of my personal brand.

Who would you most want to thank for your success? My family. My parents and my sisters are the reasons why I strive to be all that I can. My parents have served as my greatest role models and provide an unconditional support system. My younger sisters have always been my best friends and my motivation.

What would you like your business school peers to say about you after you graduate from this program? That in some small way I inspired, encouraged or motivated them to strive beyond what they believed they could achieve.

Favorite book: Bossypants by Tina Fey

Favorite movie: My Big Fat Greek Wedding

Favorite musical performer: Frank Sinatra or KT Tunstall

Favorite vacation spot: My second home—Greece!

What are your hobbies? My hobbies include cooking, Greek dancing, singing, and I am an avid movie-goer.

What made Zoe such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2017?

“Zoe Makropoulos is a Dean’s List student who has been able to combine high academic performance, RBS organizational activities and career skill development. She is an active member of the Rutgers Business School Innovation Committee (a group that continually evaluates programs and suggests improvements). She worked on career fairs, developed digital marketing programs, and serves as vice president of the Rutgers Hellenic Cultural. As a peer instructor for a program called the First Year Interest Group Seminar, Zoe has worked with a special group of Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) students who all come from low socio-economic, underserved communities experiencing a high-pressure academic environment. She has had a variety of internships at NBC Universal in public relations and talent development. Zoe is a successful student who has taken advantage of opportunities presented to her and made the most of them.”

Martin Markowitz
Senior Associate Dean, Undergraduate Programs
Rutgers Business School- New Brunswick

DON’T MISS: THE FULL HONOR ROLL: THE BEST & BRIGHTEST UNDERGRADUATE BUSINESS MAJORS OF 2017

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