Spotlight: Graduating Study Abroad Intern Kylie Becker
Kylie Becker, a graduating senior, has spent the past two years as a marketing intern with the Arizona International Study Abroad Office. As she prepares to graduate and begin a new chapter in her life, she reflects on her experience at the University of Arizona and her time supporting UA Study Abroad.
Why did you choose to come to the University of Arizona?
“Honestly, study abroad opportunities were super applicable to how I ended up here. The scholarships that I got were going to allow me to chase all my dreams here at the U of A. I always knew I wanted to study abroad, that was arguably one of the most important factors for me. Knowing that the U of A had such an excellent business program—and was also a vibrant, community-focused campus where I could take full advantage of travel opportunities while I’m still young—was a huge factor for me.”
Why did you decide to double major in marketing and business management?
“I've kind of always known that I wanted to go into the business realm. I grew up in a business-oriented family, and then, in high school, I got involved in all the DECA stuff, which is like a marketing organization, and I fell in love with it. So then throughout college, I just continued. I had started down that path and have continued to refine my passion for marketing and global marketing, specifically. I always knew I wanted to do marketing, with a minor in global business, because I've always been really passionate about travel. But it was just a little bit later on that I ended up adding a business management major.”
How did you become a part of the UA Study Abroad team?
“I applied for the job while I was abroad in Europe, at UA Barcelona. I knew I wanted to get more involved on campus. I was having such a good time abroad and just really wanted to give back to the study abroad community because it was something that I enjoyed. So I applied in March and then came back and interviewed for the one week I had in Tucson at the end of May. I got and started the job over the summer, so I jumped right in and started working virtually.”
What did you like about your role as a marketing intern for the Study Abroad department?
“Something I really loved about this job is that I could integrate my two main passions: marketing and cultural immersion. It was such a natural fit for me. I also really loved that I was getting to showcase students’ real, authentic stories. One of the biggest parts of my role was running the Social Media Ambassador program. In that, I got to see everything that the students abroad were loving and really helped them highlight their experience to other interested students.”
What was one of your favorite projects as an intern at the Study Abroad office?
“One of the big projects that I was involved in and felt strongly about was when I started my own blog, Ky Goes Global, when I studied abroad at UA Sydney. I thought it was helpful and awesome because I got to create my brand and tell my story. I also channeled it into helping other students have more guidance in a more in-depth way from someone who understood some of the struggles that came with it: from finding housing and scholarships to registering for classes and stuff like that. Until then there had never really been a tool from someone who had been through it as a student. So that was something that I loved.”
How did this internship help you grow as a professional and applicant in your career?
“This job has helped me grow as an applicant because of its many transferable skills. I want to work in marketing, so I was able to really talk about my experience of managing socials and communicating with people worldwide, because our ambassadors are often abroad. Then, when I was working from abroad, it was something that I was able to bring into all the interviews that I was giving, and it just taught me a lot about being a really effective employee, especially going into this increasingly hybrid work environment. I also got a little bit more familiar with some of the social analytics. That was something that really helped my resume stand out, because I was able to quantify some of the projects that I had worked on and the reach and engagement that it translated into.”
How would you describe your time at the U of A?
When I first got here, I honestly had a hard time adjusting to being in a different state, and finding my people. I had made a couple really good friends, but I didn't find my community right when I got here. I struggled probably for the first semester. But over time, I have 100% found my community and found my people, and that just makes such a difference. Having a community of friends that I know support me unconditionally is something that I didn't have coming into college. Now, I have such a close-knit group of friends. I live with all of my best friends and have for the past two years. I think the connection with people is just what really shaped my experience.
The U of A has provided me all of the opportunities to thrive in every sector that I was looking for. Through everything, I'm sad to leave, but how lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard? I've been saying it a lot lately because I really am. I'm so excited about my next steps and feel like everything in the last couple weeks has fallen into place and I'm so fortunate for that. But also, I'm going to be crying a lot of tears because there's so much that is sad about leaving this chapter of life.”
What was something notable that happened during your time at the U of A?
“I ended up spending a year abroad, and throughout college, I've traveled to 35 different countries and 41 total in my life. I wouldn't change any of that for the world because there's no time like the present to go abroad. So that’s been so impactful and shaped many of my personal beliefs, values, career path, and things I want to do in the future.”
What are your next steps?
“I recently accepted an offer to be a brand marketing specialist for Noodles and Company corporate, in their headquarters, which are right outside Denver. In the process for me, I was really prioritizing where I wanted to live. I am from Colorado originally, and so I knew that I wanted to be in the Denver area, so I was a little bit closer to family and home. I was mostly looking for opportunities in Denver, and looking for opportunities in two sectors: travel and marketing, because that is something I was really excited about. When applying for companies I made sure to find missions that I thought were cool and were something that I really resonated with. I feel lucky to have found something that checks a lot of the boxes for me. And meeting with everyone on the team, it was by far the best interview process I've ever gone through. It was so speedy and fast and awesome. So I felt confident in accepting it.”
What is your final advice for incoming students?
“There's no time to travel like now! There are so many opportunities for you here at U of A, and so many people who want to help you get there. So don't let one class not being offered there or needing to find scholarships and stuff hinder you. There are so many ways that U of A can support you, there's no time to travel like now. It will never be easier to do it. It was so integral to my experience. Also, just get involved and try new things. There are so many things you will try that aren't going to be for you, and that's okay because one of them will stick. And then that one will be for you.”
Any final thoughts?
“I think my college experience has perfectly fulfilled both sides of my personality because it let me do some of the coolest things ever. I was able to work in many different marketing facets, learn from amazing professors, and get experience to propel me into this next step of my life. All while having a whole lot of fun. It has been the perfect balance of everything. My experience here at the U of A has taught me that there are so many nuances and in-betweens between two worlds and areas where you don't have to pick one or the other, and you can be both.”