When first approached about the Sophomore Shadow program this past summer, I was hesitant. I had no idea what my class load would be like and taking on an additional commitment was a difficult decision. However, I reflected back on my first year at UNH and realized that my greatest accomplishments came from opportunities outside the classroom. The opportunity to gain real-world experience from a case study and shadowing was too valuable to pass up.
The Sophomore Shadow program is comprised of various events, such as a conference with speakers and info sessions, a research workshop, and writing workshops. These events led up to a case study competition at the end of the semester. Kate, Mike, and I were in the Entrepreneurship field and were assigned to a case study on Uber. After research and deliberations on innovative solutions, we proposed that Uber provide a platform to connect childcare service providers with parents seeking safe ride options for their kids. Presenting in front of judges and our peers, our group won in the Entrepreneurship field and then won the competition in final round.
Winning the case study competition was an amazing accomplishment and one of the highlights of my college experience thus far. However, the competition provided me with much more than an achievement. This process helped prepare me for my future in business world. Analyzing a situation, developing a solution, and then presenting your findings can be applied to any career. In addition, being able to talk job recruiters about the knowledge gained from this program and my achievement separates me from other applicants. Another asset I gained from this event was the connections I built with Kate, Mike, and others in the program. I was able to further my development as a team member and build my network Taking Advantage of Opportunities within Paul College. Furthermore, this program made me confident in my skills. If I can prepare a winning business presentation, what is stopping me from getting that internship?
What I learned most from this experience is that personal success is attainable if you take charge in the opportunities presented to you. In high school, I was not one to challenge myself and was not involved in anything outside the classroom other than sports. That quickly changed when I came to UNH. There are many opportunities here to grow yourself personally and professionally; Sophomore Shadow is no exception. This spring, program participants have the opportunity to shadow at a company, and I am excited to see where this new opportunity takes me.
—By Matt LoStocco '19
About Matt LoStocco ’19:
Matt is a sophomore student in the Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics from Madison, CT. He is pursuing a business administration degree in the fields of entrepreneurial studies and finance. Matt is a brother of the professional business fraternity Alpha Kappa Psi and a member of the University Honors Program.
