Jennifer Wilson

Providence College, School of Business

“Loyal friend and enthusiastic learner who is not afraid to succeed and enjoy doing it.”

Fun fact about yourself: I have been on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon 4 times; all of which were for 2 seconds in a crowd.

Hometown: Hawthorne, New Jersey

High School: Immaculate Heart Academy

Major: Marketing

Favorite Business Course: Promotional Strategies

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:

• Manager of the Benjamin Family Social Media Fellows
• Head of Marketing and Communications for Beta Gamma Sigma
• Secretary of the Providence College’s Ultimate Frisbee Team
• Habitat for Humanity Spring Break trips
• Co-President of Providence College’s chapter of Her Campus
• Mentor for Business Students
• Fall Study Abroad (Barcelona 2018)
• Maymester Trip (Beijing and Shanghai 2017)
• Dean’s List: All Semesters

Where have you interned during your college career?

• The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, 4WTC NY, Marketing Communications Intern
• Hasbro, Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Brand Publicity Intern

Where will you be working after graduation? I am not sure yet, but hope to end up in NYC.

What company do you admire most? I admire Google because of its focus and commitment to its users. It is a dependable company that is innovative and fast-moving. Their company culture is one that other companies are constantly trying to replicate, which speaks for itself.  

What did you enjoy most about your business school? Providence College School of Business has given me more than just an education, it has given me incredible connections with top thought leaders. While there are countless opportunities for engagement with other students through group projects and clubs, I have also tapped into connections with the incredible faculty who have diverse sets of unmatched experience. From the department heads to the professors whom I see three times a week in class, I have learned what constitutes good leadership and how it can create a chain reaction within a community.

What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? The biggest lesson I have gained from studying business is that communication is the most powerful tool in all situations. Whether it’s setting clear expectations, speaking up when there is a problem, or explaining ideas effectively, teams cannot function without communication. Effective communication goes beyond groups, as I have learned the best ways to share information and data in a convincing and captivating way. Communication affects businesses from the top to the bottom!

What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? I would say to explore as many parts of business as possible. It is critical that marketing majors are well-versed qualitatively as well as quantitatively. While I came into college not thinking that the required accounting and finance classes would have a big impact on me, I have found that they provide the foundation for most decisions made at any given company, which I will need to understand.

What has surprised you most about majoring in business? I was surprised by how important it is to gain experience outside of the classroom. There is so much to learn by doing in business, so having internships and being involved in school activities is super useful.

Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? I am most proud of being selected as the manager of the Benjamin Family Social Media Fellows during my senior year – and the work we have done together that followed. As Fellows, four other students and I fully manage all social platforms for Providence College’s School of Business. As a manager, I assign tasks to the team, oversee the content calendar, ensure our efforts are on-brand and performing well, and interact with university administration.

Throughout the year, I have taken part in comprehensive training and opportunities to strategize with corporate mentors. One of the most rewarding learnings – besides the fact that I could do it – has been promoting through paid social posts. It makes me very proud to have such a big part in the mission of the business school: We’re teaching the power of “we” rather than “me.”

Which classmate do you most admire? I admire my classmate and roommate, Maggie McKenna. She is a senior accounting major at Providence College. She is not only insanely smart, but she is a loyal, compassionate, and 100% committed to anything she pursues. I am extremely lucky to know her, learn from her, and have her support day in and day out.

Who would you most want to thank for your success? I want to thank my mom for being the best role model for me. As the vice president of an HVAC business, she is a strong woman in a male-dominated industry. Seeing how much respect she receives from everyone around her has shown me that hard work mixed with compassion is the best tool for finding success in my career and life.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? I would love to work and live in a different country and find a job where I am happy and fulfilled.

What are your hobbies? I love playing intramurals, competing in ultimate frisbee tournaments, and watching Providence basketball games. Go Friars! My all-time favorite thing to do is spend time with my friends, even if we take three hours to pick a movie that we only watch for ten minutes.

What made Jennifer such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2020?

“Jennifer Wilson does not hesitate to take charge of a situation, whether is it leading her Ultimate Frisbee team to on-field victories, pulling the group together for numerous class projects (including one in which she competed in the American Marketing Association integrated marketing plan competition as a freshman) or directing the social media strategy for the Providence College School of Business as the manager of the Benjamin Family Social Media Fellows. You wouldn’t expect it upon first meeting Jenn, though. She is soft-spoken, unassuming, and humble.

So, how does she find herself in these situations? Generally by coming into them well-prepared, having done her research, and then out-working everyone, but in a collaborative way that propels the whole group forward. Fortunately for her peers and those that work with her, Jenn has the confidence to stand behind her thoughts and convictions, sharing her insights, but always being receptive to others as well. As Jenn embarks on her career in marketing, I know she will be pivotal in generating and amplifying great, creative ideas that get strong results.”

Dr. Mark DeFanti
Associate Professor, Marketing Department
Providence College School of Business

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