Kevin Burt (Class of 2013)

Major:

Management

Minor:

Marketing

Fun Fact:

Kevin is a die-hard Buffalo Sabres fan and he is devastated by the hockey lockout.

How did you decide to come to Niagara University?

I grew up playing ice hockey so I would visit Niagara University for games.  I loved the campus. I was also interested in either playing club hockey or club lacrosse at NU.

Can you please tell us about your involvement with the team?

I joined the club lacrosse team my freshman year and everyone was very welcoming. Our team is funded generously by NU and it has allowed us to travel to many tournaments from Maryland to Pennsylvania.  We are also involved with community service projects that help to create a strong bond between the players. This past October, we held a lacrosse tournament and raised several hundred dollars in support of breast cancer awareness. We also sing Christmas carols at local nursing homes in Lewiston, NY.

What else are you involved with on campus?

I have been working for the Office of Academic Support through the work study program. I work ten to twelve hours a week and am able to put the money I make towards my tuition. One of my duties that I enjoy is helping students with disabilities by administering software called ABBYY FineReader to convert class notes and tests into audio MP3 files. The work study program has given me great contacts for future internships and jobs as well as references.

You also had the opportunity to study abroad in London, England last winter.  Please tell us about your trip.

NU offers a program through Cayuga Community College in which a group of ten NU students traveled with students from other schools to London for three weeks during the winter break. Over the course of the trip we toured a lot of historic landmarks including Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London and many cathedrals. Five of us also took a day trip to Paris to see the Eiffel Tower; my background in French was helpful for the trip. The trip was a really eye-opening experience and it helped me step out of my comfort zone. I experienced things I never thought I would have the chance to experience.

Have you been able to participate in any networking events or internships?

My marketing Professor Bohdan Pikas offered the chance to a few students to attend the Meet the Executives of Buffalo conference. We were able to tour SKM Marketing Agency in Amherst, NY and also got to network with several Buffalo-Niagara sales and marketing executives from western New York.  The conference was at the Millennium Hotel and it included round table discussion panels, a cocktail hour, dinner and presentations. It provided great insight into marketing careers and also allowed me the opportunity to make contacts that could potentially turn into internships or a full time job.

I also did an internship this summer with Wine on Third, an upscale wine bar and restaurant in Niagara Falls, NY. I focused on increasing social media including Twitter, Facebook and reaching out to local hotels to create incentive plans for their guests.

What are your future plans?

Right now I am looking for an internship for the spring semester with a multinational corporation. I want to work in international business because I like learning how different countries and cultures interact. At some point in the future I would like to get my MBA.