Carly Leonard, Business Studies
Carly Leonard was raised to know how to budget her money, which led her into the field of finance.
“I knew I loved working with numbers and critically thinking. Growing up, my mom would teach me how to budget the money I earned, and math always came very easy to me in school,” she said. “With these two things combined, I knew a career that involves math and money would be the right call.”
Leonard chose to enroll in Stockton’s dual-degree program, allowing her to earn a bachelor’s in Business Studies and a Master of Business Administration in just five years.
“The dual degree MBA program has made a huge impact on my life. Not only did I feel like I was accomplishing something by getting my masters in 5 years instead of 6, but it brought me to my job now at Spencer’s and Spirit Halloween,” Leonard said.
Through the support of her family, friends and Stockton faculty, the transition from undergraduate classes to graduate classes was easy for Leonard. To fulfill an internship requirement, she sought out a position at Spencer’s and Spirit Halloween. Through her internship she learned from the team and worked on projects that made her feel accomplished.
After her internship ended, she stayed with the department, assisting the team on projects and before she was moved to a new team in the Merchandise Planning department hired as a full-time analyst for Spencer Gifts in December.
“I am learning more and more as we navigate how our team fits into the day-to-day operations. My education at Stockton has prepared me for everything I do as an analyst and the dual degree program is the whole reason I am in the job I am in today,” she said.
Leonard joined the Tri Delta Sorority her sophomore year and built lasting connections.
I remember the moment I made the decision I wanted to commit to Stockton was when I was visiting for an open house and walking around with my friend on campus...I have had the opportunity to meet incredible people that I would have never met without Stockton and have been able to make so many great memories during my time here."
By senior year of college, she became Vice President of Operations and sat on the chapter’s executive board. She explains that in this position she learned about herself as a leader, how to work with others, and how to deal with difficult situations. Leonard believes that without her involvement in Tri Delta, she might not have found her place at Stockton and would not feel as confident in the workplace as she does now.
One thing that Leonard will miss the most about Stockton is being on the campus.
“I remember the moment I made the decision I wanted to commit to Stockton was when I was visiting for an open house and walking around with my friend on campus. I could picture myself walking around with the friends that I would soon make, and I truly felt that the campus could become my home away from home,” she recalled. “I have always felt at peace walking around and always think about the fact that everyone here has come from a different background, but this school is what connects us to one another.
“I have had the opportunity to meet incredible people that I would have never met without Stockton and have been able to make so many great memories during my time here,” Leonard said.
