Ashley Flanagan ’17
Content Director, Social Yeah
Two days after graduating from Fisher, Ashley Flanagan started her first job as content creator at Social Yeah, a social media marketing agency in Buffalo. Just eight months later, she was promoted to content manager and today serves as a content director. In her role, she is involved with every aspect of how the agency’s team creates content, from initial strategy to executing the finished product. Each day, she puts to work her broad range of skills, including photography, videography, graphic design, and copywriting, skills she credits Fisher for helping her to hone. Thanks to her marketing and media and communication classes, she gained a competitive edge in having a strategic marketing mind, while simultaneously knowing how to execute it.
As a student, she was the creative director of Fisher Players, president of Fisher Swingbirds, marketing director of the Student Activities Board, and a member of the American Marketing Association and Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society. She also served as a student ambassador and Orientation Team leader. For Ashley, one of the most beneficial experiences she had was as part of the University’s pilot team of executive interns in the Office of Marketing and Communications.
“Fisher prepares you for so much more than an ordinary education. I learned the crucial skills I needed to be able to succeed, I gained the confidence I needed to be a leader, and as much as I was involved, I never stopped enjoying it. Fisher introduced me to the best friends I could’ve ever asked for, so as crazy as the work might’ve gotten, I was constantly having the time of my life.”
Travon Major ’25
Financial Professional with New York Life Insurance Company
Travon Major ’25 calls Fisher the foundation that helped shape who he is today, both personally and professionally. After transferring to Fisher during his sophomore year, he quickly built meaningful relationships and created lasting memories. Those connections, along with the supportive Fisher community, continue to influence his work as a financial professional with New York Life.
“Fisher prepared me well for the professional world by encouraging creativity, strategic thinking, and relationship-building,” explained Major, who graduated with a degree in marketing and was part of the football and basketball teams. Balancing academics and athletics helped him develop discipline, teamwork, and leadership skills that have translated directly into his professional career. “During my time at Fisher, I was drawn to the idea of building something meaningful while also having the opportunity to make a positive impact by helping individuals and families through my financial practice.”
Now working in the financial services industry, Major believes he can help individuals and families achieve financial security while building a meaningful career of his own. “Fisher truly feels like home for many of us,” said Major. “The community is supportive, the professors are invested in your success, and the experiences I had there helped give me the confidence and foundation to grow both personally and professionally.”
Helen Rose Shine ’23
Social Media Specialist, GoNetspeed
Developing a strong interest in her parents’ business backgrounds and especially her mother’s passion for art, Helen Rose Shine decided to double major in marketing and economics. “Marketing was where I saw creativity and business coming together,” she explained.
She believes the marketing program at Fisher significantly influenced her long-term goals. “I am determined to earn a Ph.D. in marketing because of the coursework and experiences in and outside of the classroom.” She described the importance of courses such as Marketing Research, Organizational Behavior, and Marketing Strategies combined with hands-on projects and case studies that provided her with a deep understanding of marketing principles and strategies.
Shine highly recommends the marketing and economics programs at Fisher to prospective students. “Both programs offer an academic experience that equips students with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities needed to succeed after graduation,” she said. The emphasis on hands-on learning, internships, and networking opportunities ensures that students are well-prepared for their careers. Regardless of the specific major someone chooses, she also explained that “Fisher provides the perfect foundation for personal and professional growth.”