Marco Petrucci is a third-generation Bronco, following in the footsteps of his father Neal Petrucci and great uncle Jimmy Petrucci, who also attended Western. Though WMU was a fit for Petrucci, finding his field took some effort. He explored majors, found a key mentor and connected with a community of students and companies that have helped him feed his passion—a love for food marketing.
“I’ve found myself excelling at many things that will help me after graduation,” he says. “A lot of my learning has come from experiences with the companies that visit. Dr. Russell Zwanka, director of the food marketing program, has done an amazing job ensuring that students get as much practice and exposure in the profession as possible. Case studies with Hormel Foods and Kroger in my introductory food marketing course, engaging with over 30 companies and 250 professionals through the Great Lakes Industry Tour, and getting to participate in the WMU Food Marketing Conference are just a few ways that the program has helped me grow my skills.”
And Petrucci’s appetite for new experiences is what has defined his early career path.
“Our Food Marketing Conference helped me in ways that I’d never imagined. The connections I made through that event alone make being a food marketing student worth it. At the conference, I met representatives from Gallo, which led me to interning with the company last summer. Listening to professionals speak on panels at the conference gave me insight into the many paths and types of work available in the food and consumer packaged goods industry.”
At Gallo, Petrucci familiarized himself with the company’s vast portfolio of wines and spirits, but what helped him the most was the firsthand experience he had working with managers, customers, sales reps and distributors. “My internship gave me unforgettable experiences, showing me what work after college could look like for me. Because of that, I couldn’t be more excited to return for another internship in customer development at Gallo.”
Petrucci’s fondness for food has only been enriched by his involvement with the Food Marketing Association, a student organization dedicated to social and professional development. Serving on the social events team, he and his peers plan fun events for members, ranging from weekly socials, to tailgates, to formals. Being on the executive board has given Petrucci many opportunities, including traveling to Washington D.C. to attend the National Grocers Association Show, where he introduced a panel on artificial intelligence and its application in food marketing and consumer packaged goods.
Beyond the business college, he has been busy with other leadership roles including being a founder of Phi Delta Theta, which has been a defining experience for Petrucci. “The opportunity to not only be in a fraternity but to create one for WMU students—with 30 other founding members—has been extremely beneficial. Thinking about other students and designing programming for them has been a great collaborative and leadership experience where I’ve gotten to put collective goals above individual needs, teaching me valuable life lessons.”
Heading into his second internship, Petrucci has his sights set on graduation and a career in Japan. “I’ve spent seven years studying the Japanese language and have done two study abroad trips. Whether it be translating in corporate settings or sales, I hope that I can eventually take my knowledge of the language and culture and combine it with my key experiences from the food marketing program to find a fulfilling career.”
With his mix of learning experiences, Petrucci is writing a recipe for career success.