Iona’s Silas Gates ’24 Secures Full-Time Position at Procter & Gamble
"Professors prioritized my personal goals to set me up for success throughout my college career."
New Rochelle, N.Y. – Silas Gates ’24 came to Iona University looking for a top-notch learning environment and access to great job opportunities. As a Media & Strategic Communications major, he found exactly that and more.
“The relationships here will last a lifetime, personally and professionally,” Gates said of his Iona experience. “Gaels taking care of Gaels is something I felt the moment I walked on campus.”
Now a senior, he is already looking forward to his post-graduation human resources position at Procter & Gamble following a successful summer internship in the company’s Minneapolis office.
“I believe receiving this opportunity is an ode to Iona, and this could not have been done without the knowledge I received during the past four years,” said Gates, a native of Norwich, Conn. “There are many networking opportunities, internship openings and jobs available to me without having to be too far away from school. I wanted to build my professional experience while achieving a degree. Iona gave me the best opportunity to do both.”
Iona’s proximity to New York City was essential to helping Gates build professional experiences, he said, as were the caring professors and supportive classmates.
“Everyone wants to see you succeed, from classmates to faculty,” said Gates. “I always appreciated Iona’s smaller classroom sizes and passionate professors. I learn better in classrooms where students are more than just a number.”
We talked recently with Silas to learn more about his Iona journey. Please enjoy!
Name: Silas Gates
Graduate Year: 2024
Hometown: Norwich, Connecticut
High School: Norwich Free Academy
Major: Media & Strategic Communication with a concentration in Public Relations
Minor: Marketing
Favorite Spot: Hynes West Gym
Why did you decide to attend Iona?
I decided to attend Iona due to the location, intensive learning environment and opportunities. Iona University is so close to the city, which also gave me an opportunity to enjoy business and entertainment. There are many networking opportunities, internship openings and jobs available to me without having to be too far away from school. I wanted to build my professional experience while achieving a degree. Iona gave me the best opportunity to do both. In high school, classes were filled with over 30 people, which was a large distraction for me. I always appreciated Iona’s smaller classroom sizes and passionate professors. I learn better in classrooms where students are more than just a number.
What distinct advantages have you gained from your Iona experience?
The most distinctive advantage was the opportunity to build my professional experience because Iona is so close to the city. By the end of junior year, I had already completed two internships – one with Aflac and P&G – and had four part-time job opportunities with Apple, Enterprise, PWC, and a law firm.
I gained direct attention from my professors during class time. It was beneficial to have fewer students in class compared to other universities. Professors prioritized my personal goals to set me up for success throughout my college career.
Gaels taking care of Gaels is something I felt the moment I walked on campus, and having extra assistance when necessary was something I appreciated a lot.
Have you interned anywhere? What did you enjoy most about your internship?
I have accepted a post-graduation job with Procter & Gamble after a successful summer internship. There, I was able to work closely with top business managers to understand all human resource operations. After a successful summer of working in Minneapolis, I received a full-time offer following graduation. This opportunity is an ode to Iona and could not have been done without the knowledge received over the past four years. What I enjoyed most about the internship was the opportunity to network with P&G’s top professionals. Showcasing my work in front of such accomplished individuals helped boost my confidence.
Is there anything else you'd like to add about your Iona experience?
The Iona experience is fulfilling. Iona’s classes helped me learn how to think critically and solve problems through effective communication skills.
The other way Iona has prepared me for my future is by allowing many successful alumni to return to campus and host panel discussions and Q&A's.
Everyone wants to see you succeed, from classmates to faculty. Iona has helped push me to continue to fight the good fight. The relationships here will last a lifetime, personally and professionally.