Student Spotlight: Grace Altman

Grace Altman is a junior management major from Needham, Mass. She is a development intern with Safe Passage and UMass Amherst Hillel and a member of Alpha Chi Omega, where she previously served as vice president of philanthropy.

What made you choose the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst?

I chose Isenberg because of the internship and job placement success, extensive career resources, and alumni network. UMass Amherst excited me because it is the flagship university and when I toured, the people were so friendly and there was a good atmosphere on campus.

What made you choose management as your major?

I chose this major because it’s open-ended and gives me the flexibility to explore many different fields and career paths. It allows me to build a broad skill set while figuring out which specific areas of business interest me most.

What have your favorite classes and experiences at Isenberg been so far?

My favorite class has been Foundations of Management because of the real-world examples the professors shared with class as well as the guest speakers they brought in—my favorite being from UMass Dining. A memorable experience at Isenberg was the Next Gen Networking event where I got to network with recent alumni and get advice.

Have you had any jobs or internships during college?

I am currently a TA for Management 301, and I am a development intern for two nonprofits. One nonprofit is UMass Hillel, the largest Jewish organization on campus, and the other is Safe Passage, a resource center for people affected by domestic violence.

What do you plan to do after graduation?

I am planning on teaching internationally for a year after graduation and then returning to Safe Passage or Hillel to work full time.

If you could go back and give your first-year self some advice, what would you tell them?

If I could go back and give my first-year self advice, I would tell myself not to write down word-for-word what professors put on their slides. Instead, I would focus on taking notes on what they explain beyond the slides—the examples, clarifications, and insights you wouldn’t get just by reading the material later.

Additionally, I wish I had taken more time early on to learn about the resources that Isenberg offers and actively use them. Taking advantage of advising, career services, and other support opportunities sooner would have helped me grow academically and professionally.

Do you have a mentor from the Isenberg community who has helped shape your experience?

A mentor I have is Professor Mzamo Mangaliso. He sparked a deeper interest in management and how it applies in the greater world. I am grateful for him because he saw something in me and took a chance and hired me as a TA for his course.