A 2020 graduate, Tess McMahon, journeyed to her successful and growing career at DraftKings Inc. through the power of exploration and resilience in her career development. Starting as an undeclared freshman at Merrimack College, the Compass program on campus helped her discover her interest in human development, which led her to major in human development and human services with a minor in education.
The summer going into her senior year, Tess worked with her Compass advisor, Jen, to secure an internship at Springfield Public Schools, delving into human resources with a business focus. This experience not only honed Tess’s interest in HR but also helped her understand the importance of nurturing connections for future opportunities.
During Tess’s senior year, she interned at the O’Brien Center for Career Development in a social media ambassador program. Tess promoted the events and services the department hosted like Internship & Career fairs, Professional Development Retreats, workshops and more. Tess held a second internship during the spring of 2020 at iPROMOTEu in their HR department. Unfortunately, her internship at iPROMOTEu was cut short due to the pandemic. However, Tess’s proactive approach during this challenging time paid off. She reached out to former colleagues at Springfield Public Schools, leading to a unique job opportunity tailored for her.
Tess embraced the role of Recruiting Specialist, eventually earning a promotion to Human Resources Analyst. However, her desire to return to the Boston area and pursue a career with growth potential brought her to DraftKings Inc. She found her current position through LinkedIn. At the time, DraftKings Inc., was a company in a fast growing industry with longevity to grow, learn and network, which appealed greatly to Tess as she took the next steps in her career.
At DraftKings Inc., Tess enjoys the more “fun” side of HR, collaborating with recruiters, scheduling interviews, managing candidate communication and contributing to various projects. Approaching her two-year anniversary at DraftKings Inc., Tess reflects on her journey, emphasizing the importance of getting out of one’s comfort zone, seeking help from others, and maintaining connections.
Tess attended the Professional Development Retreat (PDR) her junior year at Merrimack, which kicked off her motivation to find a career she was passionate about, and she expresses much gratitude to Merrimack for the help and resources she received. She even got to attend the PDR after graduating, this time as a representative for DraftKings Inc. at Skills Fair. For other students, Tess advises, “Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone,” underscoring that Merrimack alumni are always supportive of current students seeking career advice. Reflecting on her journey, she stresses the crucial value of maintaining connections and staying in touch with past relationships, as they can lead to unexpected opportunities.
