Isenberg Marketing Students Get Taste of Success with Dunkin’ and A&G

The Isenberg School of Management’s Office of Career Success (OCS) recently invited 23 marketing sophomores, juniors, and seniors to explore career paths in marketing and advertising with a spring semester trek to Boston. The trip exposed students to both agency and in-house corporate environments to gain a deeper understanding of how their future marketing degree could be used.

The experiences impacted students’ perspectives and provided them with new career goals, according to Isenberg Marketing Department Chair Liz Miller.

“The marketing trek gave our students the opportunity to learn about potential career paths as well as insight into skills employers are looking for and how to stand out in today’s marketplace,” she said. “Students also gained new understandings into Dunkin’ and A&G’s business and culture and had the opportunity to network with individuals and alumni in a variety of roles.”

Dunkin (Inspire Brands)

Brynn Gilbert ‘23, assistant category manager at Dunkin’, hosted students at the company’s Canton headquarters for a glimpse inside career paths in consumer-packaged goods, social media, and food category management, including research, development, and commercialization. Students’ learned about the testing and commercialization of Dunkin’ products as well as the work behind bringing products to grocery shelves. They also heard about the collaboration between Harpoon and Dunkin’ and the Dunkin’ Trail Mix.

Gilbert shared her experience in the Donuts & Bakery division, including her role in developing the “Munchkins Skewer” from the 2025 Dunkin’ Super Bowl commercial, and spotlighting strategies for connecting with customers and viral campaigns. Another employee—“Donut Dan” from research and development at Dunkin’—gave the students custom UMass Munchkins, which were cranberry flavored with marshmallow sprinkles.

Marketing senior Matthew Cunningham appreciated hearing from a variety of professionals on the trip.

“Meeting Dan the Donut Man at Dunkin’ was the coolest part of the trip,” said Cunningham. “Getting to meet people who are change makers in a company I love is awesome.”

Allen & Gerritsen: Integrated, Independent Agency

At Allen & Gerritsen (A&G), students gained insights from departments like finance, talent, and facilities management for a deeper understanding of roles in account management, strategy, media, analytics, creative, public relations, creator relations, and social media.

“Visiting two companies—an in-house marketing style, and then an agency—I learned more about what kind of marketing I wanted to direct myself toward,” said sophomore marketing student Ryann Heim-Sherwood. “I have never been exposed to these types of roles, so it was cool to have everyone explain what they did in the process of campaigns.”

Students learned aspects of developing client campaigns through A&G’s support of Dunkin’s public relations activities.

“This trip helped me gain confidence and a real sense of direction for my future,” said sophomore marketing student Sophia Chiodo. “It made me feel included, inspired, and more prepared to pursue a career in marketing. This trek was such a supportive and eye-opening experience—it genuinely made a difference in my journey.”

OCS staff were said they were happy to offer students the chance to hear from industry professionals about the diverse careers they can pursue with an Isenberg marketing degree.

“Employees generously shared insights into their roles, helping students discover paths they hadn’t previously considered,” said Lauren Casaceli, OCS assistant director, career development. “It’s so valuable for students to see how their classroom learning connects to real-world marketing careers.”

• Learn more about how Isenberg sets students up for career success.