Community has always been important to Emily Brown M'24. It's one of the reasons she chose Clemson to pursue her graduate degree in marketing, even though it was miles away from her hometown in Louisville, Kentucky.

"After spending my undergraduate years at the University of Kentucky, which is near where I grew up, it was important to me to be able to spread my wings and branch out somewhere further away to fully embrace the growth. Knowing Clemson was a well-rounded institution, it was the obvious choice."

Although her time at the Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business was short, it was still incredibly impactful and provided Brown with a launchpad into the professional sports industry.

"The Master of Science in Marketing Program is relatively short, and even though I only lived in Clemson for that small amount of time, I was still able to connect with so many people," she says. "In Clemson, the people are what makes it so special. Because of the amazing connections I made during my time in grad school, I was inspired to find a career where I could be a part of a community like Clemson."

Brown says there were many experiences and people who made a difference in her life, one of whom is Michele Cauley, professor of practice in marketing. "Besides her clear talent for teaching and program development, she always made time to offer her insights into my growth throughout the program and made me feel seen and heard as a student."

Angeline Scheinbaum, Dan Duncan Professor of Sports Marketing, was also incredibly inspiring during Brown's time in the program. "Scheinbaum always made an effort to check into my development and encouraged me as a fellow woman in sports."

In addition to pursuing her master's degree, Brown made the most of her time as a business student by enrolling in the Business Mentorship Program. "This program is entirely free to business students. Through this program, I was formally introduced to my mentor, Taylor Cook, Senior Director of Development for the Powers College of Business. Being taken under his wing and getting a peek behind the curtain of academic fundraising inspired me to think critically about how I can impact my world on a bigger scale no matter what career path I pursue."

In addition to the Business Mentorship Program, she also took on an internship with IPTAY, acting as the Premium Hospitality Assistant. Both of these experiences helped her determine what she was passionate about and figure out her next steps after graduation.

When she began to think about what her career may look like, Brown first considered more traditional roles such as marketing specialist or brand manager. However, after weighing her options, she realized that sales was a career that would help her grow both professionally and personally as well. "A lot of students might be hesitant about a role with the word 'sales' in it, but if you are the type of person who embraces betting on yourself and loves the process of improvement, it's worth having an open mind about."

Don't be afraid to talk to people and ask questions. Making connections and building a network is so important in achieving success, especially in sales.

Now, Brown is an Account Executive for the Cleveland Cavaliers, where she meets with clients face to face and helps to positively shape their fan experiences for the upcoming NBA season.

"In my role with the Cavs, I am tasked with generating new business at the highest level. For anyone who is looking to become one of the sharpest salespeople in the industry, The Foundation with the Cleveland Cavaliers is where you need to be. The Cavs have a storied history of producing some of the strongest sellers within professional sports and have built a culture of genuine passion for your craft and openness to learning. Most importantly, the people here want to see you succeed."

About the Masters in Marketing Program:

The Master of Science in Marketing (M.S. Marketing) degree program advances students' knowledge and expertise in marketing theory and practice. A coordinated curriculum of analytical skills development, consumer analysis and marketing strategy, coupled with real-world marketing applications, prepares students for careers as marketing analysts, managers and researchers in areas such as branding, advertising, promotions, market research, sports marketing, digital marketing and public policy. Upon completing the program, the successful graduate will be able to critically assess and develop solutions to marketing problems through quantitative and qualitative approaches and various marketing and decision-making frameworks. This one-year master's degree is designed to enhance the skills of students who desire to pursue a marketing-related career but may not have formal marketing training.

Learn more about the Masters in Marketing Program here.