Lauren DeCarlo '14
Q: Tell us about your career path and where you are today?
A: After graduating from Syracuse University, I started working at Under Armour as an intern in the Collegiate Sports Marketing Department. I was in that role for 6 months before transitioning over to a full time Account Service Associate for Collegiate Sports Marketing. Many of the Collegiate Sports Marketing Representatives started on the Account Service side of the business and claim that it made a great impact on their ability to adjust quickly into the role by learning the ins and outs of Under Armour, as well as the processes that go into managing and servicing collegiate accounts. I was an Account Service Associate for a little over a year before I was ready to try something new and use some of the skills I had learned in my role. I realized I really enjoyed talking to my accounts about our latest and greatest product and some new technology stories for the season, so I applied to a couple different Product Line Management roles. I was eventually hired as an Associate Product Line Manager on the Women’s Apparel Team. I have been in this role for 9 months and have learned a ton about our company. I work with numerous internal partners and have gotten a glimpse into so many different departments at UA.
Q: How did your SU experience prepare you for your career?
A: I was in the Whitman School of Management and I feel that it gave me great real life skills to transition smoothly into the corporate world. We had many team projects and presentations that made me more comfortable with public speaking. For Capstone, it was nice that we were broken strategically in teams based on student majors. To me, this mimics the business world much more than just splitting into random groups. Whenever we have a project to complete at work, it’s definitely an all hands on deck scenario where we each tackle a different task based on our induvial skill sets.
Q: Looking back, what SU experiences have been the most meaningful to you?
A: I played on the Syracuse Women’s Soccer team. Traveling with my teammates and spending so much time together, both at SU and on the road, were the most meaningful experiences to me. I made some of the greatest friends I could ask for and I know I’ll never lose touch with them. I also decided to study abroad in London in the fall semester of my senior year, which is one of the greatest decisions I’ve made. Navigating a foreign country and learning a new culture teaches you how to be savvy and independent, and those experiences helped shape me as a person.
Q: What is your fondest memory from your time at SU?
A: I’ve had countless fond memories at SU, but if I had to pick one that really stands out it’d be the overtime win against Duke in 2014 with a record crowd at the Carrier Dome. I remember being so nervous in the stands… there were 4 seconds left on the clock when we were leading and Duke forced an overtime. However, ‘Cuse obviously got the W in OT and opened the season at 21-0 for the first time.
Q: What advice would you give students?
A: I would advise students to do as much as humanly possible while at SU. Four years go by way too fast and you may not realize it until your 2nd semester of senior year. Try out all the greatest restaurants and bars in the area (Alto Cinco, Dino BBQ and Pastabilities are a must) and attend as many athletic events as you can! There’s no greater feeling than celebrating your own school with over 10,000 other students by your side. Whenever you get stressed with school work, just remind yourself that you only have four years at Syracuse University, so every day should be cherished! Put in the hard work to advance your education, but also take the time to participate in events, clubs or recreational activities that will teach you even more about yourself and help develop strong relationships.
Q: Why is it important for young alumni to stay involved with the university after graduation?
A: It’s important for young alumni to stay connected with the University to help students prepare for life after graduation, whether it’s adjusting to a new environment or starting a new career. Syracuse University has such amazing programs and curriculums that allow students to excel. We also have an incredible network, so helping SU students achieve success will only strengthen the reputation of SU and the value of an SU degree.