A fellow Hawk, a cheerleader, a world traveler and a full time intern by day—this week’s campus celebrity does it all. Meg Kavanagh is a recognizable face around campus, even as a full time co-op at Campbell’s Soup this semester!
The Basics
Hometown: West Chester, PAYear: Senior Double Major: Food Marketing Co-op & Family Business and Entrepreneurship
Campus Involvement & Activities-SJU Cheerleading-Winter Emersion Program Leader (Ecuador)-Relay for Life Executive Committee
The Interview
HC: How did you know Saint Joseph’s University was your best fit?
I actually didn’t- well, not at first. I went to SJU because of different family and personal situations taking place at the time. I did not really want to go to SJU. But, after going to orientation I had so much fun and met so many people. This includes my roommate, and one of my best friends, so I knew I was going to be okay and make it here.
HC: As a Food Marketing major, you are a part of the co-op program. What are the benefits of this five-year program?
I think it is an awesome experience. In the five-years, you get the opportunity to work full time for six months during three different semesters for credit (and pay!) You learn things you could never learn from your textbook. I am a visual, hands- on learner, so this is perfect for me! I think a huge benefit is that while you get to experience so much, you also get to meet so many people and network every day. After co-op, you have to try to not to get a job, and a good job at that! (meaning, it’s easy!) It really sets you up for a world-wind of opportunities.
HC: What type of employment opportunities have you experienced?
I’ve worked in a couple different roles which is cool because I have experienced a lot so early in my professional career. I worked for Dietz & Watson where I did everything from helping roll out 1200+ grocery stores with our line, to merchandising and sampling in stores. I also had the opportunity to work at marketing and branding events at venues like The Eagles football team promotions, XTU Concerts, and even Food Marketing Week on campus. Basically, I did anything and everything at Dietz!
Campbell is very different. Here, I work in the Corporate Social Responsibility Department. We work a lot in 3 different areas. We work with sustainability of the company, where we are trying to reduce water usage and company waste, etc. we also work with a big volunteer movement that Campbell has amongst its employees. Finally, we work on our Healthy Communities Initiative to spend $10 million in 10 years to reduce childhood obesity and hunger in Camden by 50%. It’s kind of a lot but it is cool to see a different end of the business in a major Fortune 500 company!
HC: What is an average day like in your current position at Campbell’s Soup?
An average day really varies. Some days I will do a lot of administrative and desk work which can be a bit undesirable, but other days I will get to go on site visits into Camden and see the programs that we fund. It is very fulfilling to see the end result of a lot of time and hard work. I get to play with the little kids and hear all about the good work they are doing to make Camden a better place. It’s really inspiring!
HC: What is the best piece of advice you could give a prospective co-op student?
Well first off, do it! Choosing to participate in co-op can be a tough decision. You are off campus for three semesters, you have to step into the “real world” early, and you’re at school one more year than all of your friends who are your age. Although in the long run, with all of those decisions come great benefits. My next piece of advice is to be confident, all around. Be confident in your decision to do co-op in the first place, be confident in your role/ position in a company, and be confident in your abilities. You wouldn’t be hired to work at a company in the first place if they didn’t believe in you and believe in your work. Finally, don’t be afraid to ask questions, to ask for more work, to ask to be a part of different projects. In the end, it will only benefit you and assist the company in a big way. Responsibility is a good thing, so take it on and rock it with confidence!
HC: Last fall, you went abroad to Ireland. Did you find it difficult to elaborate this plan into your schedule as a co-op student?
No, not at all. Thankfully, the co-op track works very well as it allows your third year to be very flexible. This is when most people go abroad. This allows the whole year to be open to different travel opportunities. The only difficulty you might have is matching major classes abroad to work with your track. Luckily, where I wanted to go in Ireland had Food Marketing. I was able to plan my class schedule in Ireland to work very well with the five courses I needed to correspond for credit in my third year as well.
HC: What was your first reaction when you stepped off the plane in Ireland?
When I got off the plane in Ireland, it was so early. I think it was 7 am Irish time, so it was 2 AM on the East Coast. I didn’t care! It was pouring rain, nothing was open, and no one was around. I was already in love with the country and thought it was the most naturally, beautiful place I had ever seen in my life.
HC: What is your favorite memory from abroad?
There were so many, it’s tough to pick just one! Everywhere I traveled was an amazing memory in itself, but I think one of my favorite memories was when my mom and step-dad came to visit me. It was the Cork Guinness Jazz Festival so the town was so vibrant and alive, and I got to show my parents around Ireland like the town was my own. It was cool because for one of the first times since I had been there, the trip and life abroad just felt so real and authentic- like even though I was in this foreign country where I only knew my friends from America, the teams I was on, and the clubs I had been involved in, that I belonged there, and had been there my whole life. It was very surreal.
HC: Finally, what is one piece of advice you would like to give every SJU student?
This is going to be cheesy, but a lot changes in f our years. Looking back on my past years at SJU, the most important thing I’ve had to do is stay true to me. That’s what makes SJU rock is that you don’t have to make yourself blend in with the crowd to “be accepted.” There are all kinds of people to become friends with that want to be around you for you. “You is kind. You is smart. You is important.”
This OR That
HC: Basketball OR Football?!
I love our SJU basketball teams as much as the next Hawk, but 100% football. Put me in front of a Notre Dame game and things get serious very quickly.
HC: Pizza OR French Fries?!
Pizza. Yum.
HC: McGillicuddy’s OR Mad River?!
HA.HA. Easily McGillicuddy’s. I would rather go to Cuddy’s and dance on the third floor alone for 4 hours, or not go out at all, then go to Mad River. (With the one exception being Riverpalooza- their only saving grace)
-A special thank you to Meg! Best of luck in your future endeavors.
xo HC