Tufts undergraduates explored the possibilities of studying business and global affairs at The Fletcher School at an October 15 event called FletcherFest. 

At The Cabot Intercultural Center, about 150 attendees learned how a Fletcher education could accelerate their careers and about the new Graduate Certificate in Business, which is open to all Tufts undergraduates at no extra cost. The certificate is one of several pathways for undergraduates to pursue studies at Fletcher. 

The evening’s theme was “Where are the Jobs? Emerging Trends in Business, Employment, and the Changing Future of Work.” The event featured conversations with faculty, alumni, and other leaders who know how to navigate today’s fast-changing job market. 

One of the participants who spoke about the future of work and their career at a fireside chat was Vivek Shah, A94, a member of the Tufts board of trustees and The Fletcher School board of advisors and CEO of Ziff Davis, a digital media and internet company. He’s enthusiastic about the new certificate program. 

“Tufts is breaking ground by integrating Fletcher’s business curriculum into the undergraduate experience,” Shah said. “This unique opportunity allows students, regardless of major, to earn a graduate-level certificate to support their professional journeys.”   

The expert panel also included Candace Lun Plotkin, F96, partner at McKinsey & Company, Doug Rachlin, A85, senior portfolio manager at Neuberger Berman, and Ali Schmidt-Fellner, F17, executive director of community advocacy and impact at JPMorgan Chase. 

Students had the opportunity to connect with alumni, get a professional headshot, pick up Fletcher merchandise, and receive career guidance from the Office of Professional Development, as well as hear from Fletcher School Dean Kelly Sims Gallagher, F00, FG03, and Dean of Global Business Bhaskar Chakravorti. 

Marina Travayiakis, F05, FG14, the senior director of academic program administration at The Fletcher School, said “the enthusiasm we saw at FletcherFest shows just how eager Tufts students are to explore these opportunities.”

“We’re building on Fletcher’s longstanding strength in global affairs and business education to give Tufts undergraduates new pathways to jumpstart their future success – whether through the Graduate Certificate in Business, the BA/MALD, or graduate programs like the MALD and MIB,” Travayiakis said.