Jepson School Class of 2017
From a film company in New York to a project developing sustainable jobs for economically-abused women in Bolivia, the Jepson School Class of 2017 is putting their leadership studies education into practice as they launch careers around the world.
“I think the Jepson curriculum requires the students to become adaptable, since each class is different from the next. I believe these adapting skills are what is going to help myself, and my fellow Jepson alums, whenever we start new careers or endeavors,” said Carney Judge, ’17.
Judge will complete post-BA internship in publicity and awards with A24 Films, an independent distribution and production company based in New York. “I’ve already gotten word that I’ll be working on the movies It Comes at Night and A Ghost Story, which are two really exciting projects that I am looking forward to,” said Judge.
Other graduates, like Jennifer Davis, ’17, will return to the company at which they completed their Jepson Internships. Davis, who interned at Stanley Black and Decker, will now assume the role as Stanley Black and Decker Leadership Program Human Resources Generalist. In this role, Davis will gain experience in the different areas of human resources, such as recruitment, training and development, and compensation and benefits.
“I was initially drawn to the company because of the position, then once I received the position, I learned more about the company and grew to love it!” said Davis. “It is a tremendously successful Fortune 500 International company, and they also have a large initiative to help the community and ensure their projects are sustainable.”
Yasmine Karam, ’17, was also able translate her internship experience into post-graduation plans. Karam, along with fellow University of Richmond graduate Fabiana Ayala, ’17, received a $10,000 Projects for Peace grant to support the economic empowerment of women in Bolivia.
“My Jepson Internship, which was funded by the Burrus Fellowship, gave me hands-on experience with project proposal writing for an international development organization,” said Karam.
In Bolivia, Karam will work with Ayala on trainings and workshops in addition to developing new product lines, noting that the interpersonal skills she developed while working on group projects and papers at the Jepson School will be essential to her work.
Interpersonal skills, as well as competencies in problem-solving, critical analysis, and writing, are among the ways 2017 Jepson School graduates connect their leadership studies education to their career plans. According to Dr. Kerstin Soderlund, associate dean for student and external affairs, alumni often cite the critical and ethical thinking as skills they developed during their time at the Jepson School of Leadership Studies that are important in their professional lives.
And just one month after Commencement, the 2017 Jepson School graduates are wasting no time putting the lessons learned in their leadership education into practice.