Leah Figueiredo '26

Why did you choose Lasell?

I chose Lasell because it was close to home and had small class sizes, which meant I could get more help from my professors and have a better learning environment. Lasell really explained how their Hospitality Management program is different by emphasizing hands-on skills, individualized attention, and getting to know people in the industry.

What clubs, athletics, organizations are you  involved in?

I have been a member of the Lasell Dance Team since my freshman year and have been on the executive board for three of those years. 

Have you had an internship? What were your responsibilities?

My internship is with M & M Elite Events, where I work in a hybrid role that is combined with both in-person and remote responsibilities. During my internship, I mainly helped with behind-the-scenes event planning tasks to gain experience in what event planners do on a daily basis. I created event timelines, helped organize details, and researched possible vendors to assist with event logistics.

On the marketing side, I made marketing decks and helped create a newsletter to promote events and reach clients. I also occasionally worked on site at events to help with setup and check in. But most of my work focused on planning and preparation.

What did you learn? 

I learned how to organize and plan events, handle logistics, communicate well with my team, and be professional within my team or at an event. All of this helped me see how all the parts of an event fit together.

This experience had a strong connection to what I learned in my classes because it let me use what I learned in marketing and hospitality classes in the real world. I got better at planning, organizing, working with others, talking to people, being professional, and working as a team. These are all skills I will need for my future job whether I go towards marketing or being in the hospitality field.

How has your academic program or professors helped prepare you for your future career?  

My professors have really helped prepare me for my future career by making sure I stayed on track and by providing many opportunities to grow professionally. They encouraged me to connect with industry professionals on LinkedIn, attend guest speaker events, and even brought guest speakers into my classes. I'm going to start my career soon and these experiences have provided me useful information and chances to meet new people.

What are your Lasell traditions or favorite activities to do on or off campus?

One of my favorite activities is taking the train into Boston and exploring all the different neighborhoods and areas the city. I enjoy discovering new places and trying different foods.