By Arial Starks
Morgan Young
Vanderbilt Business is known across the globe for its high caliber of students, faculty, and staff. In this edition of People of Vanderbilt, we spotlight Master of Marketing student Morgan Young, who shares a little about herself.
What is your secret talent?
My secret talent is that I surf. There aren’t a lot of waves in Tennessee so most people don’t know this about me! Although I think my Master of Marketing classmates will confirm I pull it into our projects when I can. I grew up surfing on Nantucket Island and picked it back up when I moved to the West Coast 10 years ago. I surf small waves now, but when I was younger I would go out in 10-foot waves. The guys in the lineup have a lot of respect for a female who can hold her own. It’s not about being the best for me, as I have so many friends who’ve surfed since they could walk. I just love connecting with the ocean in this way. The ocean is somewhere I feel free.
Who or what empowers you at Vanderbilt?
My friends, professors, and a few fantastic alumni empower me to stay motivated and excited to take on new challenges. My friends are integral because we are all in it together. We bond over study sessions, Closing Bell, yoga classes, and exploring Nashville. I have some awesome professors who make me feel like it is okay to fail forward at times. On top of this, I have connected with an awesome alum here in Nashville who I really look up to. When I think about what she does and the impact her time at Owen had on her, it challenges me to make the most of my time here.
What are 1 or 2 experiences that have really shaped your time here at Vanderbilt?
I have had several experiences that have shaped my time at Owen. I was able to attend the reunion with my father who is an alum and it was such a cool experience. I was able to go to the Parthenon and connect with all types of people who called Owen their home for their degrees. It made me so grateful to be going through all the case studies and presentations with my classmates currently. I am so excited to see where everyone’s paths take them after Owen and have realized the importance of enjoying this year with everyone I am surrounded by.
What’s your favorite way to connect with the Vanderbilt community?
There are so many ways to connect at Owen. I love connecting through Commodores & Companions, a social networking group I founded for students and alumni with dogs. It’s a great way to give my dog a chance to run around with other Dore dogs while simultaneously meeting people in other programs and alumni who have remained in Nashville. We met every weekend of Mod 1. In Mod 2, we had a costume contest for the dogs. There was a great turnout and some very clever costumes.
What’s something you’ve learned about yourself during your time at Vanderbilt?
I have learned so much about myself and how I work at Owen. We have been offered several personality assessments and my favorite one was the Hogan Assessment. It spoke so well to my strengths and weaknesses. I am a great idea guy. I have always loved working in teams and at Vanderbilt, I have been able to see some of my ideas come to life with the help of my classmates.
Looking back on your time at Vanderbilt, what is one of your favorite memories, activities, or rituals?
I love attending Closing Bell with my friends! Every Thursday our group chat goes off as we have made it through another week at Owen. There is no better way to celebrate than joining all Owen students in the courtyard for a Closing Bell event.
Looking forward, what are you most excited about this year?
I am extremely excited about Professor Posavac’s class. I got to sit in on this class when I was a potential student. I remember introducing myself to the class and getting to participate, which made me feel so included. Luckily my sales background helped me wrap my head around some of the concepts we were discussing, but after completing so many fantastic courses this fall I cannot wait to sit in that class again and have a chance to really unpack the material. I will never forget the hospitality I was shown and the chance to engage as a potential student. It was the determining factor for me that Vanderbilt was meant to be my home this year.
Are you in a leadership role in association with Vanderbilt? If so, name the organization and title.
I am a Master of Marketing ambassador.
