Like many other Gulls, Jennifer Hao ’28 is the first in her family to attend college.
Raised in a Chinese immigrant household, she quickly became the go-to problem solver. Whether translating documents or navigating the American school system, Hao grew up fast.
“Throughout my childhood and my school career, I had to do everything alone. I became independent really young, knowing my parents couldn’t help me,” she said. “They didn’t understand English. It was a learning curve.”
Navigating the college search was especially overwhelming, knowing she had to figure it out largely on her own.
After finding a passion for marketing through her high school DECA club, Hao knew she wanted a college experience that would allow her to be creative and hands-on. 91ÖØ¿Ú’s three-internship requirement and experiential learning model gave her a clear path forward—one that matched both her ambition and her learning style.
“I chose 91ÖØ¿Ú because I am a strong believer that hands-on work is the best opportunity to learn. The 91ÖØ¿Ú Experiential Edge gives me the opportunity to step outside of the classroom,” said Hao.
Hao has already started building that knowledge through her work with the Gull Creator program, where she collaborates weekly with the College’s social media team to develop content for 91ÖØ¿Ú’s Instagram and TikTok channels. She is learning how to craft engaging, trend-savvy content that stays true to brand, and discovering new skills along the way.
When it came time to look for her first internship, Hao didn’t have to look far. After sampling kombucha on campus, she connected with , a local, family-run fermenting business in Gloucester, Mass. She admired the company’s values, and knew it would be the right fit.
“I enjoy buying from smaller companies and supporting local businesses,” she said. “It’s really fresh to see a company that’s transparent, and is set on their mission. Working with that type of community and team is really nice.”
Three days a week, Hao assists with marketing tasks like product photography, competitor research, and content planning. A recent project brought her into local stores, where she captured kombucha cans and asked for photo permissions on the spot. The experience pushed her to build confidence and take initiative.
Through it all, she’s learning more than just marketing. Hao recently discovered an interest in color theory, realizing how brands use color to influence consumer behavior. The insight sparked a deeper interest in consumer psychology, and now she’s considering a psychology minor to complement her major.
“Marketing is definitely about trying to grab attention from the customers, the audience. So psychology is a big, fundamental part of that,” she said.
With more internships still ahead during her time at the Nest, Hao is ready to dive deeper into the world of marketing. Her dream is to work in beauty or fashion marketing after graduation, combining creativity with brand strategy.
“The more you’re afraid to do things in life, the fewer opportunities you’ll have. I’ve seen that firsthand with my family, with my parents, and they definitely don’t want that for me. They came to America to find the best for me, good opportunities, and that’s what I’m here to do,” she said.