Students Translate Classroom Learning into Career Readiness

St. John Fisher University’s Personal Selling courses through the School of Business offer students a chance to connect classroom learning with professional experience, and the ADP Perfect Pitch Competition is a prime example.

Now in its eighth year and hosted by marketing professor Dr. Monica Hodis, the competition challenges students to craft and deliver a 90-second pitch positioning themselves as the ideal job candidate, while gaining real-world communication and career skills.

This fall, the top winners were Madalyn Bouton, first place; Madeline Denison, second place; and Isabelle Newcomb, third place, with Emilia Johnson, Makayla Cottrell, and Jackson Burns receiving honorable mentions. As part of the experience, winners will visit ADP, where they will gain firsthand exposure to a leading company in human resources and payroll solutions.

Inspired by the American Marketing Association’s Perfect Pitch Competition, the in-class challenge gives students the chance to practice professional storytelling, refine interview skills, and learn how to present themselves confidently to potential employers. Guest judge Rachel Carter praised the students for their poise and creativity, noting how competitive the field was this year.

For third-place winner Isabelle Newcomb, a marketing major from Syracuse, the competition merged her love of storytelling with professional development.

“I’ve been wary of getting into sales, but I really enjoy public speaking,” Newcomb said. “The Pitch gave me a way to test the field, build confidence, and practice presenting myself authentically. I leaned heavily on my personal experiences and storytelling skills, then polished my delivery with feedback from Dr. Hodis and other mentors.”

A standout moment came when a judge told her, “I could listen to you tell stories all day long.” The comment reaffirmed her passion for storytelling and reminded her why she chose marketing-- to use creativity and narrative to build authentic connections between brands and people.

“The Pitch taught me to have faith in myself and lean on my soft skills,” Newcomb reflected. “Numbers and achievements are important, but connecting with your audience is what makes your story memorable.”

By combining classroom learning, mentoring, and real-world feedback, the ADP Perfect Pitch Competition exemplifies community-engaged learning, preparing Fisher students to step confidently into post-graduation opportunities while building skills they will use throughout their careers.

This article was written by Ranya Alsalahi, a senior film and television studies major. Alsalahi is an intern in the Office of Marketing and Communications at Fisher for the Fall 2025 semester.