Where it all started
Jordan Reyes didn’t have to go far to find her future. She grew up right on the outskirts of Clemson city limits, spending her childhood at summer camps and dance studios at Tiger Town.
When it came time to select where she wanted to go to college, she remembered her older cousin, also a Clemson alumnus, and how positively he spoke about his experience.
“It just felt right,” she said. “I didn’t really look at other schools. Clemson had always been in the background, and when it came time to choose, it felt like the natural next step.”
Switching to business
At first, Reyes thought architecture was the best fit for her. It appealed to her creative side while also appealing to the part of her that loved math. She decided that to be sure architecture was something she wanted to pursue, she would shadow a family friend who was a working architect.
“I saw how demanding architecture was. The late nights, the constant revisions, the client pressure,” she said. “I realized I loved the creative side, but I wasn’t sure I wanted that lifestyle.”
Reyes began exploring other options and landed on a degree in business. Although at the time she wasn’t sure which area of business she wanted to go into, she knew a business degree was versatile and decided to enroll as a pre-business major. Eventually, she found that marketing was the perfect fit for her.
“It offered a balance I really liked,” she said. “Looking back at it now, I am sure it was one of my best decisions. I have always wanted to study something that would allow me the opportunity to work in various industries, and a marketing degree would allow me to do that.”
One of her favorite experiences at the Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business came through a creative inquiry project, where she worked with eye-tracking software and biometric monitors to study how people respond to marketing messages.
“It was fascinating,” she said. “We were measuring things like heart rate and eye movement to understand what really grabs someone’s attention. It showed me the more analytical side of marketing and the psychology behind consumer choices.”
Returning to her alma mater
After completing her undergraduate degree in December, Jordan took on an internship that gave her a real-world taste of the industry. It also confirmed something else: she wanted to keep growing.
This summer, she’s returning to Clemson once again to pursue her master’s degree in marketing. “It’s a chance to expand my network and grow my skillset,” she said. “Marketing is a competitive field, and I want to be ready for whatever direction it takes me.”
Reyes is excited to return to Clemson to pursue her graduate degree. During her time as an undergraduate student, she found mentors, teammates and friends who’ve helped her build confidence in her own abilities.
“To me, it’s like a found family,” she said. “We’re not all the same, and it’s not always perfect, but there’s this shared experience that brings us together. That’s what makes it special. That’s what makes Clemson feel like home.”
About the M.S. in Marketing Program
The Master of Science in Marketing degree program advances students’ knowledge and expertise in marketing theory and practice. A coordinated curriculum of analytical skills development, consumer analysis and marketing strategy, coupled with real-world marketing applications, prepares students for careers as marketing analysts, managers and researchers in areas such as branding, advertising, promotions, market research, sports marketing, digital marketing and public policy. Upon completing the program, the successful graduate will be able to critically assess and develop solutions to marketing problems through quantitative and qualitative approaches and various marketing and decision-making frameworks. This one-year master’s degree is designed to enhance the skills of students who desire to pursue a marketing-related career but may not have formal marketing training.
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