Economics student’s career path forged by leadership, internship opportunities

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Growing up in a big Penn State family, Jessica Amatrudo always felt a strong connection to the University. So, when the time came to choose a college, she said, Penn State stood out not only for its tradition, but for the wide range of opportunities it offers students.

“When I was applying to colleges, I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to study, so having so many options in one place made it feel like the right fit,” Amatrudo said.

Opportunities have abounded for Amatrudo since she arrived at the University, she said. She started her journey as an undecided student, which gave her the flexibility to explore different subjects before committing to a major. An initial interest in mathematics gradually developed into a passion for economics.

“Once I took economics courses, I realized I loved how it combines analytical thinking with understanding real-world business decisions,” she said.

After declaring her major, Amatrudo found that the College of the Liberal Arts’ emphasis on critical thinking and communication strengthened her analytical training and broadened her perspective.

“Those skills are just as important as technical knowledge, especially in business settings,” she said.

To complement her major, she chose to minor in information sciences and technology, building technical skills in data management and analysis. In addition, completing the Smeal College Business Fundamentals Certificate broadened her understanding of core business areas such as finance, marketing and management, she said. Together, these experiences strengthened her ability to interpret data while understanding how decisions affect broader business strategy.

Beyond the classroom, Amatrudo found mentorship and professional support through the college’s Career Enrichment Network, which helped refine her résumé and prepare her for career fairs and networking opportunities. Peer mentors and alumni connections also provided guidance, she said.

“At a university this size, it really matters to have people who are willing to answer questions and offer advice,” she said. “Those conversations gave me the confidence to pursue opportunities I might have hesitated to go after.”

As a research associate with the Economics Association, Amatrudo has worked on semester-long research projects, assisting with data collection and using tools like Excel and Stata to conduct regression analysis. This role allowed her to apply classroom learning to real research questions while collaborating with other motivated students.

She has also been deeply involved in professional and social organizations, including Phi Chi Theta, a professional business fraternity for which Amatrudo serves as its director of diversity, equity and inclusion. In the role, she leads workshops and develops resources to help foster an inclusive and supportive environment for all members. She mentors younger members by reviewing résumés and conducting mock interviews and serves as a liaison between the local chapter and national leadership.

“Leadership has shown me how important it is to create spaces where people feel supported,” she said. “Professional development is important, but building community is what makes the growth sustainable.”

These academic and leadership experiences have served Amatrudo well in real-world professional settings. As a client relations intern at Movers Specialty Services MSS Inc., she supported operational efficiency by analyzing service demand, technician availability and performance metrics such as on-time delivery and client satisfaction. She also helped optimize scheduling and resource allocation across hundreds of relocation transactions and coordinated logistics involving over 1,200 technicians nationwide.

“That internship showed me how data can directly improve efficiency,” she said. “The analysis I was doing had a real impact on how teams operated and made decisions.”

Meanwhile, at Nitt’s Collection, where she worked as a social media marketing intern, Amatrudo focused on growth and engagement strategy. She tracked campaign performance using Instagram and TikTok analytics, compared results to company growth goals, and shared insights with senior leadership. She also helped implement the company’s first social media giveaway campaign, which significantly increased followers and engagement.

As she looks ahead to graduation, Amatrudo said, she is exploring career options with confidence in the foundation she has built. Through coursework, research, internships and leadership roles, she has developed the ability to think critically, analyze data and communicate effectively in professional environments.

“I’m still exploring where I want to focus long-term,” she said. “But I know I’ve built skills that will transfer anywhere, especially the ability to adapt, collaborate and keep learning.”

Her advice to incoming Liberal Arts students is to get involved early and say yes to opportunities, even if they feel outside their comfort zone.

The more they engage, she said, the smaller the University becomes and the more meaningful their experience will be.

“Penn State can feel big at first,” she said. “But the more you put yourself out there, the more you find your people and your path. Every opportunity adds something to your experience.”