Katie Mailey
Penn State University, Smeal College of Business
Hometown: Hudson, Ohio
High School: Hudson High School
Major: Accounting (MAcc Program)
Favorite Business Courses: BLAW 341 (Introduction to Contracts), ACCTG 806 (Advanced Taxation), BA 517 (Communication Skills for Management)
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:
- Alpha Kappa Psi, Professional Business Fraternity
- Pledge Class Co-President
- Parent’s Weekend Chair
- Recruitment Chair
- Vice President of Performance
- Vice President of Membership
- Penn State Dance Marathon (THON)
- Finance Committee Member, THON 2013
- Finance Alternative Fundraising Captain, THON 2014
- Finance Director, THON 2015
- Executive Director, THON 2016
Where have you interned during your college career?
- The Carson Group
- Marketing Intern, Hudson, OH June – August 2012
- Royal Chemical
- Marketing Intern, Hudson, OH, June – August 2012
- Deloitte & Touche LLP
- AERS Rotational Intern, New York, NY, June – August 2013
- AERS Audit Intern, New York, NY, June – August 2014
- Strategy & Operations Consulting Intern, Pittsburgh, PA, June – August 2015
Describe your dream job: I have always had a passion for clothes and the retail industry, so my dream job would combine that passion with my business skills. I would love to run my own business and open my own boutique some day.
What did you enjoy most about majoring in a business-related field? The skills you learn are applicable to so many different areas. Once you have a business background, you can apply it to be successful in a variety of fields.
Where would you like to work after graduation? After graduation, I’m going to be working for Deloitte Consulting in Strategy & Operations. I am very excited about pursuing consulting as a career because I will be able to use the skills I have learned to help others be successful, and I will continue to learn every day.
What are your long-term professional goals? Long term, I hope be an executive for a firm that not only has an impact in the business world, but also has a positive impact on people’s lives. One of the best parts of my position as the Executive Director of THON is to know that I am making a difference in someone’s life every day, and I hope to be able to have that experience in a professional setting as well. I am not sure where my career path is going to take me, but I hope to be an executive in a field that I have a passion for.
“I knew I wanted to major in business when…I was applying to college, because business is such a versatile field. With a business degree, you can be an asset in any industry. Business felt like the best choice of study to me because I could combine my affinity for numbers and love of problem-solving.”
“If I didn’t major in business, I would be…likely an engineering major. I have always been drawn toward math-related fields. As long as I can remember, I have wanted to study business, so it’s hard to imagine something different!”
What was the happiest moment of your life? The happiest moment of my life was during THON 2015. After a year of hard work towards the culminating event of THON Weekend, it was so great to look around the Bryce Jordan Center and see everyone’s hard work paying off. THON is not an event that is pulled off solely by the Executive Committee of 16 people, but it requires 15,000 student volunteers to come together for a cause bigger than themselves, and to look around the BJC and feel all of the love and passion that students have toward our fight against childhood cancer is an indescribable feeling.
Which academic or personal achievement are you most proud of? I am most proud of being offered a full-time position as a Business Analyst for Deloitte Consulting. This was such an exciting moment for me because since starting at Penn State four years ago, I had been working towards identifying a career that I would be interested in, and then pursuing job opportunities. I am very proud of this accomplishment because I know that I have worked very hard to be offered this position, and I can’t imagine a better career path post-graduation!
What animal would you choose to represent your professional brand? I would choose a dog to represent my professional brand because they are strong animals who are dedicated and loyal to those around them.
Who would you most want to thank for your success? I want to thank my parents for my success. They have been incredibly supportive in everything that I have pursued, and I would not be where I am today without their support, advice, and love.
Fun fact about yourself: I was part of a flash mob during my high school graduation, and that will forever be one of my favorite memories!
Favorite book: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Favorite movie: Inception
Favorite musical performer: Carrie Underwood
Favorite vacation spot: Amelia Island, Florida
What are your hobbies? In my free time, I enjoy reading, running, and crafting.
What made Katie Mailey such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2016?
“Katie Mailey has been an invaluable addition to the Class of 2016 as well as Penn State as a whole. This year, Katie has served as the Executive Director of the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, the world’s largest student-run philanthropy committed to raising funds and awareness to conquer childhood cancer. THON could easily be compared to a large non-profit organization and Katie leads the organization. Her excellent leadership inspires a team of more than 15,000 student volunteers in pursuit of a cure for pediatric cancer. The experience students have through their involvement in THON is life-changing for many. In addition to impacting her peers in this role, Katie balances the needs of various stakeholders including the Four Diamonds families, donors and supporters. She is an insightful, knowledgeable student leader who has made Penn State and a better place through her involvement.
Katie truly exemplifies what it means to be a leader. This year has been especially challenging for THON. Katie has united the community through these challenges by inspiring others, communicating with stakeholders, and making tough decisions in the best interest of the organization and its stakeholders. She has high ethical standards and thinks critically about how to move the organization forward. While leading this organization she has continued to excel academically and grown professionally through various internship opportunities. Katie is a student who has taken full advantage of what Penn State and the Smeal College of Business have to offer. Though she graduates in May, her lasting legacy will be left on campus for years to come.”
Darcy Rameker
Interim Director for Student Activities and THON Advisor
Penn State University
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