Alumna Profile: Merry Le ’08

Through hard work and a positive attitude, the recent graduate turned an internship into her first career.

This is the first summer since her senior year of high school that Merry Le ’08 (Bridgeport, CT) will not be interning at Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. in Stratford, CT. That’s because she landed a full-time job in the company’s marketing and communications department, which she will start later this summer. Her positive attitude and willingness to learn clearly left a favorable impression on company officials.

Le originally secured an internship at Sikorsky Aircraft through the INROADS program. The national nonprofit organization recruits the best and brightest ethnically diverse high school and college students who are interested in pursuing careers in a variety of fields including business, heath care, and engineering.

Le will have the chance to put her business degree with a concentration in marketing to use, as her responsibilities at Sikorsky Aircraft will range from market forecasting/analysis and customer relationship management to assisting with branding, advertising, and tradeshow activities.

She credits professors like Associate Professor of Marketing Carol Demoranville, Professor of English and Cultural Studies Stan Kozikowski, and Assistant Professor of Management Eileen Kwesiga– three of her favorites – with preparing her to excel after graduation.

“I was lucky to have some of the best professors,” says Le. “I would describe Bryant as a friendly community that really cares about its students’ well-being and their pursuit of learning.”

During the fall semester of her senior year, Le had the opportunity to apply some of the concepts and theories she learned in the classroom as an intern at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Washington, D.C. With the help of Bryant’s Amica Center for Career Education, she obtained this internship through the Washington Center, an educational nonprofit that selects interns to work for thousands of government agencies, businesses, and nonprofits throughout the D.C. area.

Merry Le ’08 (Bridgeport, CT)

At the EPA, Le assisted with internal and external communication strategies, pursued opportunities for climate-change outreach, and built relationships with climate-change stakeholders.

“My time in D.C. made me more mature and business savvy,” says Le. “I had the chance to live and work independently before starting my career.”

She said she was attracted to the nation’s capital because it is a big city outside of her native New England, and it is ripe with political action.

“Washington, D.C., is very historical and yet modern at the same time,” says Le. “I loved being able to meet so many bright young professionals who are passionate about what they do for a living.”

Her advice to current students is that high caliber internships can open doors for a number of opportunities. “Take advantage of these chances to show people your potential and leave a good impression for other interns who will follow you,” says Le.

Outside of the classroom, Le was a member of the Arts and Culture Club, the Alliance for Women’s Awareness, Bryant Helps, and the Multicultural Student Union. She encourages students to make the most of what Bryant has to offer by attending the many events that clubs and organizations sponsor.

“The programs foster an exchange of experiences and thoughts with others that help students better understand themselves and their classmates,” says Le.