Melis Ciner

Hometown: Ankara, Turkey

Undergraduate school and major: Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey, BA in Economics

Graduate Program: Integrated Marketing Communication

Why did you choose Emerson?

My career aim is to become a brand manager in a global corporation, so I debated a lot between getting a degree in IMC and getting an MBA.  However, ultimately, I wanted a program that integrated strategic decision-making with the communication aspect of marketing.  Emerson’s curriculum was more focused than an MBA, but also allowed me to take courses in a variety of marketing areas, such as brand management or consumer behavior.  When I graduate I will have an education that has prepared me for all aspects of marketing.

What is the favorite aspect of your program?

The applied aspect of the program at Emerson was very important to me when I was making my decision to come here.  Most concepts in marketing are best learned through experience.  I love the fact that everything I study is applicable to the real world and that the curriculum always connects the theory to the application.  The other day in class we held a focus group session in the Levy Marketing Suite.  Students in the class could choose to be clients, researchers, moderators, or participants.  We discussed real products that were not selling well.  I was the moderator and my job was to facilitate discussion among participants so that my client and researcher could understand what was going wrong with the product.  By the end of the focus group I really understood the process of deriving qualitative data from the participants’ comments.  Plus, the experience opened my eyes to the idea of a career in market research!

What is it like to live in Boston as an international student?  What do you like best about living in Boston?

Simply put, I love living in Boston.  I have lived in large cities for most of my life, so I definitely enjoy the urban lifestyle.  When I first arrived here, I was really surprised at how accessible Boston was to a pedestrian.  Public transportation in Boston is very effective in connecting disparate areas of the city.  It is also important to remember that there are many students in this city and many international students also.  It’s really surprising how many different languages you hear when you are walking down a crowded street.  Boston is a truly cosmopolitan city.  I love looking at the pattern of the tall buildings against the sky, I love walking down a busy street and seeing restaurants offering international cuisine, I love meeting my classmates in Cambridge for coffee, in short, I am in love with Boston!

What is the best piece of advice you would give someone considering or entering grad school?

Do not go to grad school for the sake of going to grad school.  When you are coming here, have a good idea of why you are doing what you are doing.  A master’s degree is a good way of advancing in a field, discovering new options for growth, or making a career change, but you should do your research and know what you wish to get out of this experience.  Emerson’s IMC program is extremely advantageous because there are a wide variety of courses offered which allow you to sculpt your own curriculum depending on your interests.  When structuring your curriculum and your experiences in grad school, always have a plan and objectives in place.  This may be anything from sampling courses to get a better idea of what you want to do, to specializing in public relations and taking courses for that purpose.  Whatever your plan is, set a number of specific and attainable goals and work towards accomplishing them—just like a good IMC plan!

What kinds of support services does Emerson offer its international students?

There are a number of services international students can benefit from depending on where they are in the grad school process.  When first applying and enrolling, the Office of Graduate Admission and the Office of International Student Affairs will be happy to help you.  The Office of Off-Campus Student Services is a great resource when dealing with housing issues.  They have rental property lists, as well as roommate listings that save you hours of research.  As you advance in grad school, you will also want to consult with your professors and the Office of Career Services as to where to take your career.  Career Services offers a number of very helpful and informative seminars that I would definitely recommend attending.  For example, I believe there is a seminar for international students this week covering the particular challenges of converting your curriculum vitae into the US resume format.  Also, International students who wish to improve their English skills can take advantage of the Writing Tutorials offered by the Writing and Academic Resource Center.

What is the most surprising thing you’ve discovered about yourself in grad school?

It is amazing how easy it is to meet deadlines and write good papers when you are committed to what you are doing.  I came into IMC because I am fascinated with both the theoretical and practical aspects of my field.  My initial interest in IMC was purely theoretical; I was extremely interested in how visual imagery constructs our reality.  Later, I became interested in the application of this idea in terms of consumer psychology and brand identity.  It is fascinating to me that sending the right signals to the consumer will increase the value of your product from their perspective.  Perception is reality, and that is the power of communication.

How do you believe your Emerson College degree will affect your future?

I think grad school is extremely helpful in terms of developing your ideas and acquiring the ability to articulate and defend them.  That is the most important thing I have gotten out of grad school so far.  Emerson has allowed me to head towards the career I want.  The professors in the program are extremely helpful in discussing future career paths and offering advice on how to proceed.  Each career takes different roads, no matter what the starting point.  Currently I hope to be a brand manager, but that may take me to new opportunities.  I know that whatever happens, a solid educational background will set me apart.

« Return to Graduate Ambassadors