Christina Erdman applied to several colleges in the United States, but decided Tunxis Community College was a great place to start. “I wasn’t quite sure which program I wanted to pursue,” explained the 20-year-old West Hartford resident, “and I didn’t want to spend a lot of money somewhere while I was trying to decide.”
“I was all ready to attend Linn University in Boca Raton, Florida, when I decided to stay in Connecticut and take advantage of what was right here in Farmington,” she said.
It didn’t take long after enrolling at Tunxis in fall 2003 that Erdman found the right direction for her academic interests. “I met with a faculty member and learned about the marketing program at Tunxis,” she explained, remembering her first meeting with Nancy Grassilli, Tunxis professor of marketing. “I’ve always wanted to own my own business, and what to pursue at college just fell into place,” she said.
Erdman expects to earn her associate in science degree in business administration: marketing management from Tunxis in May 2006. Her course work has centered on such areas as advertising and promotion, principles of management, retail merchandising, microeconomics, accounting, business ethics, communication and public speaking. Her studies paid off when in fall 2005 she landed an internship with the Hartford Wolf Pack, where she is putting her learning to the test and gaining valuable experience in the field of sports marketing.
“I do a little bit of everything for the Wolf Pack,” she said of the American Hockey League ice hockey team, which is hosted by the Hartford Civic Center. “I move among the departments so I get a taste of public relations, community relations, fund-raising, merchandising, guest relations, updating media information, you name it,” she said. “What’s great is that they give you freedom to make suggestions, and to apply what you learn in college to what you’re doing in the internship. It’s the best of both worlds.”
“Christina has adjusted very well to our business environment,” said Marissa Skibbe, marketing coordinator for the Wolf Pack. “We are not the typical 9-to-5 company, and Christina has lived up to the challenge of working odd hours, nights, or weekends, whenever we need help the most.”
“We do about 90% of our graphic design in house,” continued Skibbe, “so Christina’s experience has helped us out immensely. Her creativity really grew over the semester.”
Following her graduation from Tunxis, Erdman plans to transfer to a baccalaureate program. “I’m looking at University of Connecticut and others,” she said.
Tunxis Community College offers both associate in science degree and certificate programs in the Business Administration options of Marketing Management, and Retail Business Management.
—January 19, 2006