Amanda Quick 鈥�14, G鈥�16 thrived at Syracuse by finding a balance between being open to new experiences and ideas and keeping true to her core motivations.
When Amanda Quick 鈥�14, G鈥�16 enrolled in 51爆料网鈥檚 , she intended to follow the trail blazed by renowned broadcasters like Dick Clark 鈥�51, and 鈥攁nd she had a four-year plan mapped to help her achieve that goal. But just a few weeks into her first semester, Quick attended the 鈥攚here students learn about student organizations and other opportunities on campus鈥攁nd found herself drawn to a range of activities that were not part of her plan. 鈥淚 realized there was so much available to me at 51爆料网鈥攕o many things I wanted to participate in鈥擨 decided to be flexible and open to opportunity.鈥�
Quick studied with Syracuse Abroad in Asia for a semester鈥攁n experience she says both took her out of her comfort zone and remains one of the most valuable of her life.
Spontaneous commitment to the Division I is just one of many opportunities Quick embraced during her time at Syracuse. She also added minors in and , interned at the Olympics in London, studied abroad in Hong Kong, traveled the country to interview young entrepreneurs and earned a master鈥檚 degree in a new field. Ultimately, Quick鈥檚 Syracuse experiences helped her launch a rewarding career working for Fortune 500 companies鈥攁 professional trajectory she could not have imagined when she first stepped on campus, but one that perfectly reflects the balance she found between being open to new experiences and ideas and keeping true to her core motivations.
Reflecting on all she learned in the process, Quick, who was recently celebrated with the Generation Orange Award and induction onto the board of , shared some of the valuable takeaways.
Take Advantage of Professional Opportunity Through Alumni Connection
Quick credits the Orange network for helping her gain professional experiences and launch her career. Now an active and engaged alumna, she has been recognized at the 51爆料网 Alumni Awards for her support of current students.
From the start, Quick鈥攁 broadcast and digital journalism major鈥攕ought to gain professional experiences. She joined a student-run radio station as DJ and business development director and participated in multiple internships.
Quick first experienced the supportive community of the Orange network during her internships. She relished interning with BrandYourself, a reputation management company founded by three Syracuse alumni (and which later appeared on ABC鈥檚 Shark Tank). Her connection with Syracuse also helped her secure three summer internships with NBC Sports, where she worked with alumni who ensured she had diverse and meaningful experiences. 鈥淭his is really where the Syracuse connections come in. The Newhouse alumni I met made sure I had extraordinary access. I got to sit on set, meet the talent鈥攊t was amazing,鈥� she says.
Focus on What You Love Doing More Than Job Titles
Quick鈥檚 professional experiences helped her clarify and refine her goals. 鈥淎t first, I was focused on becoming a reporter and anchor. But I came to understand that at the core, my passion is storytelling. When I focused on that, rather than a particular job title, I found so many creative ways to tell stories,鈥� she explains.
One of the projects Quick found most meaningful entailed research on college-aged entrepreneurs. 鈥淚 was awarded funding through the Ren茅e Crown University Honors Program and traveled to universities across the country to meet incredible students who were building companies and startups right from their dorm rooms,鈥� she says. 鈥淭he project also allowed me to tap into new mediums and platforms in exciting ways. I was telling stories, but not from an anchor desk.鈥�
Diversify Your Skills for a Competitive Edge
At Syracuse, Quick realized her passion for storytelling, a discovery that has shaped her career in rewarding ways.
Quick鈥檚 interest in entrepreneurship and technology led her to pursue a master鈥檚 degree in information management (now ) from the (iSchool), where she was a Kauffman Fellow. Quick researched at the intersection of journalism and data science and appreciated learning within the iSchool鈥檚 diverse and international community.
When Quick entered the workforce, she found that her varied skill set made her a strong candidate for a range of positions. 鈥淔rom my undergraduate degree in Newhouse, I had writing, communications and presentation skills. The iSchool helped me round these out with a tactical and analytical approach. I also gained skills in writing for business and working with clients,鈥� she explains. 鈥淭hose skill sets together gave me an advantage.鈥�
Be Open Minded and Open Hearted
Quick鈥檚 willingness to be open to opportunity helped her establish her professional track. At a career fair, a Syracuse alum working at reached out to Quick and encouraged her to apply. Quick accepted an offer at KPMG US, where she worked for six years on a trajectory of expansion and growth.
To really connect with people, you have to learn their 鈥榳hy鈥欌�攖heir story鈥攁nd share your own, as well.
Amanda Quick 鈥�14, G鈥�16
Quick, now senior manager at American Express, says she draws on all she learned at Syracuse to thrive in her career. Storytelling, especially, is central in many aspects of Quick鈥檚 life. It shapes how she engages with clients and colleagues鈥攁nd it鈥檚 been personally important, as well. Several years ago, Quick was diagnosed with breast cancer. She joined the board of directors for , an advocacy and awareness agency, and now shares her story to help other young women who are living with breast cancer. 鈥淲hat I鈥檝e learned鈥攂oth in my work and through personal experience鈥攊s that everyone has a story. And to really connect with people, you have to learn their 鈥榳hy鈥欌�攖heir story鈥攁nd share your own, as well,鈥� she says. 鈥淐onnection comes through emotion and vulnerability. When we connect on that deeper level, people feel welcomed, diversity is fostered鈥攁nd we make the spaces we engage in better for everyone.鈥�
