Basketball fandom drew Danielle Harrington to UConn, and the strength of the School of Business kept her here. Harrington’s interest in math and finance, as well as a desire to make a positive impact on organizations, led her to major in Business. Guiding younger students as a Resident Assistant and a Husky Ambassador, and making friends across campus through activities and volunteering, helped her grow her interpersonal skills. She attributes a boost in her strategic thinking to her advanced business courses. But devising ways to score front row tickets to basketball games can’t have hurt, either!

 

Why did you choose UConn?

I grew up watching UConn women’s basketball and could always picture myself eventually going to the school. What really made my decision easier was after I toured the campus. The day of my tour was beautiful, and the Great Lawn was full of students hanging out, playing games, studying, etc. It was exactly what I always imagined college to be like. I learned more about different UConn traditions and events that happen on campus and knew it would be a place that I could thrive for four years. The combination of strong academics, diverse community, and post grad opportunities made it clear to me that UConn was where I should go, and I have no regrets.

What’s your major or field of study, and what drew you to it?

I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business with a major in management and a minor in analytics. I was interested in the field of business since I was in high school. I took one personal finance class when I was a junior and ended up taking several other business classes after that. I found that I was drawn to courses relating to marketing, finance, and economics. I’ve always loved math but knew that I wanted a career where I could work with people and not just sit at my desk all day. This led me to choose management as my major because it allows me to use my analytical skills combined with my interpersonal skills. Now that I have been in the School of Business for four years, I have become even more passionate about driving business and making a positive impact on organizations.

Did you have a favorite professor or class?

One of my favorite classes at UConn was BUSN 3005, which is a career development course that almost every business undergrad takes. I took it with Kelly Kennedy and am currently the Lead Teaching Assistant for the class. It helped me become more confident in my interviewing and job search capabilities, which in turn helped me land my last two internships as well as my full-time job post grad. I would also say that MENT 4900 was also one of my favorite classes. I took it with Sami Ghaddar, and although it was a lot of work, it challenged my thought process which in turn helped me grow as a strategic thinker.

What activities were you involved in as a student? 

I began my college experience as a member of the Business Connections Learning Community. I met so many people through living in a learning community my freshman year and was able to participate in a variety of different activities through it. Since my first year of college, I have also been a member of Women in Business. I love being a part of a group of women that support each other professionally. I have also been a Resident Assistant since my sophomore year, which has given me the opportunity to work with first year students as well as graduate students. This was my first leadership experience on campus, and I have grown so much from this opportunity. I became a Teaching Assistant for BUSN 3005 the fall semester of my junior year and have continued through my senior year. Currently, I am the Lead Teaching Assistant for the course. I am also involved in Red Cross Club as well as the Husky Ambassador Program on campus. I’ve been able to volunteer for several blood drives on campus as well as participate in taking around a husky for the day.

What’s one thing that surprised you about UConn?

One thing that surprised me about UConn was the incredible sense of community and support on campus. When applying to schools, I originally wanted a smaller school because I was afraid that it would be harder to feel like I had a community at a bigger school. When I chose UConn, I was happily surprised by how welcoming the environment was on campus. I was easily able to make friends across the campus through classes and activities, which made UConn’s large campus feel less intimidating.

What are your plans after graduation/receiving your degree?

This summer, I will be moving to Boston to work full-time as an Allocation Analyst for TJX Companies. I am starting on their merchandising career path and am looking forward to working in the retail industry.

How has UConn prepared you for the next chapter in life?

UConn has prepared me in many ways for the next chapter of my life. Through my classes, I have learned the necessary skills that I need to excel in my career, but my preparation goes beyond that. UConn’s emphasis on experiential learning allowed me to have a lot of hands-on experiences through simulations, case studies, and various other projects. This type of learning helped me see the practical application and use of what I was learning and how I could use it in my future career in business. Beyond just education, UConn also taught me a lot about interacting with individuals and how to build a network of people. I’ve learned the importance of teamwork, leadership, and effective communication which prepared me for how to build my own network outside of UConn.

Any advice for incoming students?

My biggest piece of advice for incoming students is to savor the moment that you have in college. It is so easy to fall into the trap of constantly looking at what is ahead, and while it is important to plan for a future, college will go by so fast. It feels like just yesterday I was moving into my college dorm for the first time, and now I am already graduating. UConn has so much to offer, so get involved, step out of your comfort zone, and take advantage of the opportunities presented to you.

What’s one thing everyone should do during their time at UConn?

One thing I think everyone should do during their time at UConn is join at least one club or extracurricular activity. I was provided so many opportunities and met so many friends through activities outside of my classes, and I think every student can benefit from it. I also think everyone should go to at least one UConn game at Gampel and experience the fun within the student section.

What will always make you think of UConn?

Basketball will always make me think of UConn. My best memories were going to games with my friends and sitting in the student section. I once waited in line from 4 am to 8 pm, just so that I could get a front row seat at one of the games. I was lucky enough to be at UConn when our men’s team won nationals, and I’ve never felt more Husky Pride than in that moment. UConn will always hold a special place in my heart and all the memories and friendships I formed throughout my time here will make me reminisce about UConn.