College Experiences That Helped A VP of Brand Partnerships at BlackRock Succeed
Ruthie's undergraduate success stemmed from securing internships that provided industry visibility, coupled with a proactive networking approach; "all my positions outside of college came from people that I knew," emphasizing the power of relationships and showcasing work through a personal website to gain an edge in the job market.
Networking, Internships, Career Development, Self-Promotion, Relationship Building
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Ruthie Heller
VP of Brand Partnerships
BlackRock
Yeshiva University
N/A
Communications
Finance (Banking, Fintech, Investing)
Communication and Marketing
Took Out Loans, Student Athlete
Video Highlights
1. Ruthie leveraged internships to gain industry visibility.
2. Networking played a crucial role in securing her post-graduate positions.
3. She proactively showcased her work through a personal website, highlighting projects and internships to potential employers.
Transcript
What did you do in undergrad to set you up for success in your career?
I got a lot of internships. It was a little difficult for me. My school had a great career center, but I had a niche interest in things. So it took some time to find the right opportunities.
The internships gave me good visibility into what the roles would be in the industry. However, all my positions outside of college came from people I knew. They were all referrals, either from a friend of a friend or a friend themselves.
I'm all about relationships and being able to tap into your network. Don't be afraid to reach out to anyone, like your sister's classmate. There are many different paths you can take.
Especially if you don't feel supported by certain institutions, tapping into your network is crucial. Be confident and comfortable sharing your background and internships. I created my own website showcasing my work from internships and classes.
I put it all together in a nice package and shared it when applying to different companies. There are different ways to do this. Knowing who you know is important, and packaging your expertise is also extremely important. I think that helped give me an edge after college.