As a member of the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics’ Class of 2022, Marie Rauch, a management information systems major with minors in business analytics and women and gender studies from West Chester, Pennsylvania, has not had the typical student experience at UD due to the coronavirus pandemic. Rauch, and her entire class, have shown incredible resilience, maturity and spirit while adjusting to the many unexpected changes that they have encountered as students. Each installment of this series will profile an outstanding member of this class, showcasing their achievements, experiences at UD and what it means to be a Blue Hen.
Rauch was nominated for this series by UD Associate Professor of Management and Global Leadership Amanda Bullough, who said, “Marie’s leadership as President of the Women in Business (WIB) student organization has helped the club expand its purpose beyond professional development of its members. WIB strives to empower all kinds of women, inside and out of the club, and aims to inspire women on what they can achieve when given equal access to opportunities.”
In this profile, Rauch shared her favorite UD memories, how she has changed during her time at UD and her plans following graduation.
Lerner: How have you grown from your freshman year at UD to now?
Rauch: As a freshman school felt somewhat like a chore to me. My main motivation for working hard in class was to get good grades. I looked at school like something I just had to do, not something I really wanted to do. Although, as time went on my perspective on school changed. I started to realize the value in my classes. More specifically, I started to realize the benefit of classes both related and unrelated to my major. By taking classes outside of my major I was giving myself the opportunity to become more well-rounded. By taking and working hard in classes related to my major, I was ensuring I had all the technical skills to get a job post-college. Altogether I realized that college was for my own development, not just to see if I could pass an exam.
Lerner: Were you involved in any extracurricular activities? If so, how did they shape your experience at UD?
Rauch: As a freshman, I was super uncomfortable with what I didn’t know. UD seemed like this big overwhelming school to me that I would never get acclimated to. Most of all, I did not feel like a Blue Hen, rather just a UD student. Although, as time went on and I became more involved everything changed. I was able to find a home within Women in Business and in Gamma Phi Beta. As a result, UD slowly started to feel smaller and I started to feel more confident. Ultimately, by joining both women in business and Greek life, UD turned into what I now call my home.
Lerner: What does being a “Lifelong Lerner” mean to you?
Rauch: To me being a Lifelong Lerner means never forgetting how I got my start. Being a Lifelong Lerner is coming back to present to a business class in 10 years when I am more successful. Being a Lifelong Lerner is proudly stating I went to UD even if I go on to get another degree at a different school. Being a Lifelong Lerner is whipping out my old notebooks when a concept I remember learning in one of my Lerner classes is brought up at work. That is what being a Lifelong Lerner means to me.
Lerner: What was the most memorable course that you took at Lerner?
Rauch: The most memorable course I took at Lerner was BUAD110. I will never forget all the lawyer stories Professor Moffa would come in and tell us. Nor will I forget our peer mentor Emily Williamson and TA Amanda Flores being the coolest role models of successful women in the Lerner College. I also won’t forget receiving an early snow day dismissal notification right after I had walked through the snow in my new business suit to help give my group’s pitch competition. Most of all, I will never forget bombing that same presentation but my group still won the competition because, despite our subpar presentation skills, our work still spoke for itself.
Lerner: What was your favorite UD experience?
Rauch: My favorite UD experience was the trip to Philadelphia that I went on with Women in Business my sophomore year. During this trip, we got to visit both the EY and Protiviti corporate offices in Philadelphia. Although, what made it the most memorable was getting to hear from and receive advice from three female Partners at EY. Looking back on that experience, those women went out of their way to do that for us. Most companies would have just had a recruiter present to us. However, the fact that three partners at a big four accounting firm coordinated time in all their schedules to meet with us is a gesture I won’t forget.
Lerner: What are your plans following graduation?
Rauch: Following graduation, I will be working for Verizon as an analyst in their Finance Leadership Development program. I will specifically be on the data analytics track within their program. On top of that, I am currently set to start remotely so I hope to be moving to the city of my choice after school wraps up.