What does a marketing major have to do with Seidenberg? Not all that much, directly, but indirectly the two are closely related and those who are involved in Seidenberg will eventually bump into the Lubin and Dyson kids down the road. While visiting the offices at Microsoft this past week with the Seidenberg Summer Scholars, I ran into Pace alum Tamika Joseph who is working as an Account Manager for Microsoft. Since Microsoft is so heavily based in computer sciences, I decided to ask her about working along side some of the biggest projects in technology and how she got there from Pace, even though she works in the more business-oriented parts of the company.
Joseph majored in marketing, with a concentration in Advertising and Promotion, and minored in Statistics during her time at Pace. Afterwards, she continued her studies at Fordham to receive her MBA by 2011 in Communications and Finance while minoring in International Business. When I asked about her position at Microsoft, she stated that her favorite part is the culture within the workplace. Even from an outsider’s point of view, touring around the headquarters warrants the same reaction.
Joseph’s position consists of processes that can be challenging, but her determination keeps her on par with the company’s expectations. Naturally, I asked how Pace played a role in her path towards scoring a position at Microsoft, other than offering her a degree; Joseph recounted the bonds she made during her undergraduate career, her success in graduating at the top of her class, and how she landed a full-time opportunity at Disney-ABC upon graduating at only 21 years old. Joseph also mentioned her C+ Programming class, which she passed with ease, and how it was pivotal in directing her toward where she is, today. And lastly, because I always ask for a woman’s advice, Joseph added, “[when] working in a predominantly male field, persistence and determination are key. Never give up!”
Thank you, Tamika, for you enlightening words and may your success encourage Pace students of all focuses to realize how realistic their goals can be.