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Having the Drive to Succeed

Kristin Beckett is a double major, loves cars, studied abroad in Germany, and has a passion for sustainability. How has her drive helped her find success at W&M and get a job with a global consulting firm?

Kristin Beckett appreciates good cars and takes a picture in front of a Porsche Dealership while traveling abroad.About Me

I have taken German since 6th grade, and the language and culture have intrigued me for reasons which I can't even fully understand. I guess it comes from the difficult history of the country, the personality of its citizens, and the high quality cars produced there.

Because of my interest in the inner workings of the business world, I also decided to study business. I chose Finance because I saw the value in understanding the financial implications of business decisions. My dream job would be to consult or work for a German car company.

During the 2010 World Cup, I studied abroad for four months in Munich, Germany. During my study abroad experience, I was fortunate enough to be able to travel to Austria, Croatia, Italy, Slovakia, and Egypt. Surprisingly, I also scored in the highest category on a German language test and am therefore certified to work or study unsponsored in Germany. All of these interests and experiences have resulted in my Individual Program of Study (IPS) as a double major in Finance and German with an international emphasis.

Kristin Beckett had the opportunity to visit Egypt while she studied abroad.Impact & Engagement

The number and variety of clubs and student organizations that William & Mary offers fits my diverse range of interests better than I could have known when I made my college decision four years ago. Being a competitive gymnast prior to coming to college, I got involved with Club Gymnastics as a way to continue doing something I loved and keep in shape.

Freshman year, I also got involved with the Student Alumni Council and joined a social sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma. Being chosen as Treasurer for my sorority allowed me to apply my business knowledge in a practical way and helped me get more out of my sorority experience. Two of my sorority sisters encouraged me to get involved in the student organization Net Impact, which focuses on sustainability in business.

Through this group, I assisted in coordinating the Do One Thing (DOT) campaign and having Adam Werbach come and speak. I also gained faculty mentors who have guided me in my internship and job searches. In addition, I learned a wealth of knowledge about the constantly evolving field of sustainability and its application and acceptance in the business world. Because of Net Impact, I have become passionate about sustainability and intend to carry that passion into my career.

Kristin Beckett and students from across the country at the Corporate & College Collaborate for Sustainability, held at W&M.
Highlights

Through Net Impact, I was also able to make a significant contribution to the planning of the Corporate & College Collaborative for Sustainability as Collaborative Co-Chair. Working on this event was an incredibly rewarding experience.

Being able to work closely with influential business leaders helped me make connections that positively influenced my career choice. Interacting with so many students from schools across the country helped me to see that though we may be geographically far apart, we share many of the same patterns of thought, which is both comforting and empowering.

Kristin Beckett is involved with many different organizations at W&M, including Net Impact.
Next Steps

I recently accepted an offer from IBM Global Business Services Consulting. The business knowledge and analytical, writing, communication, and presentation skills I have refined during my time in the Business School provide a strong basis from which I can draw on when working in the ever-changing world of consulting.

I hope to use my passion for sustainability by working with companies looking to implement sustainable initiatives. I see sustainability as an increasingly important component of a company's bottom line and corporate image.

I also hope to work on projects that allow me to leverage my German skills, hopefully taking me back to Germany for a few months! Because of the increasing complexity and interconnectedness of the business world, the international perspective that I've gained from my study abroad experience and the International Business course will be valuable throughout my career.