Tim DiRusso, MBA

Current Postion: Demand Specialist at Qlik

Story posted: Spring 2026
Job title updated: Fall 2026

 

What to Love About the DigCom Program

The Digital Communications program truly prepares you for the real world. It’s very hands-on, and you’re constantly developing skills like professional communication, content creation, and project management. Through scheduling interviews, collaborating with others, and producing real content, you learn how to build relationships, tell meaningful stories, and carry yourself with confidence in a professional setting.

The program also gives you a well-rounded foundation in areas like public relations, social media strategy, digital analytics, as well as social media law and ethics. I also gained experience in mobile content creation, video production, and editing, which are all highly relevant skills in today’s digital landscape.

Being part of the DigComCrew was another highlight of my experience, as it gave me the opportunity to collaborate with others, work on real projects, and further develop my skills in a team-based environment.

I would also specifically highlight Dr. Rakus, who has been one of the most impactful professors I’ve had. She holds her students to a high standard while also providing the guidance and support needed to succeed. She really pushes you to grow and become the best version of yourself, which made a huge difference in my experience in the program.

 

Earning Industry Certifications

During my time in the Digital Communications program, I earned several industry-recognized certifications, including the Google Analytics 4 Certification, HubSpot Content Marketing Certification, and SEMrush Keyword Research Certification.

These certifications helped me build a strong foundation in data analytics, content strategy, and SEO, and gave me practical skills that I’ve been able to apply in both academic projects and real-world work experiences.

Story-Telling Through Digital Media

Some of my favorite projects in the DigCom studio were content pieces that allowed me to tell meaningful stories and highlight impactful initiatives within the Gwynedd Mercy community. One project I really enjoyed was covering GMercyU’s Integrated Studies Program, where I created content focused on a student-centered program for individuals with intellectual disabilities. It was rewarding to help showcase a program that promotes inclusion, personal growth, and lifelong learning.

I also worked on a piece about Morgan’s Light, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit organization dedicated to shedding light on the hidden patterns of toxic teenage relationships and empowering youth to recognize, resist, and rise above them. Being able to share such a powerful and mission-driven story, and highlight its impact on young people and communities, was incredibly meaningful to me.

Another project I enjoyed was part of the Faith and Non-Violence series, where I helped communicate perspectives on how faith can inspire positive action and non-violence. Across all of these projects, I loved being able to combine storytelling, interviewing, and content creation to bring important messages to life.

Internships

During my undergraduate experience, I completed a Creative Content and Digital Marketing internship with Merritt Enterprises International LLC, which became a major part of my professional development. In this role, I created marketing materials such as PowerPoint presentations for convention speakers to help promote products and educate prospective customers.

I also developed digital content across multiple platforms to support brand awareness and audience engagement, including short-form video editing, graphic design using Canva, and creating thumbnails and infographics for YouTube. In addition, I assisted with website design and updates using the Showit platform, and helped repurpose content while utilizing AI tools to translate website copy for a global audience.

While I was also offered a sales position with another company, I chose to continue with Merritt because it provided the flexibility I needed to balance my responsibilities as a student-athlete, including baseball, training, and physical therapy. This experience allowed me to grow professionally while staying committed to both my academic and athletic goals.

Feeling Supported

It was definitely a grind balancing everything, training for baseball, physical therapy from multiple surgeries, practices, games, and academics. There were times when it was challenging, but I always felt incredibly supported. GMercyU provided me with everything I needed to succeed, whether it was professor office hours, tutoring resources, or just a strong academic support system.

Outside of school, my parents were my rock throughout the entire process, and my teammates were always there for me as well. I truly believe I was a product of my environment, and being surrounded by such a supportive community made all the difference.

I’m still extremely close with several current and former teammates from all four years. The relationships I built through baseball are something I’ll carry with me for life, I gained not just teammates, but lifelong brothers.

GMercyU’s 4+1 MBA Program

I was inspired to pursue the 4+1 MBA because I wanted to continue building on the foundation I developed during my undergraduate experience and challenge myself to grow both personally and professionally.

I’ve really appreciated how the 4+1 program is paced. During this time, I’ve been able to grow my role with Merritt Enterprises from an internship into a part-time position, which has allowed me to continue developing professionally while completing my MBA.

I’ve always been interested in business, leadership, and understanding how organizations operate, and the MBA program gave me the opportunity to deepen that knowledge early in my career. The 4+1 structure also made it a very strategic decision.

Being able to earn my MBA in an accelerated timeframe allowed me to maximize my time at GMercyU while gaining a competitive advantage as I enter the workforce. Overall, I saw it as an opportunity to develop stronger leadership skills, expand my understanding of business strategy, and better prepare myself for a career in sales and business development.

One thing I’ve really enjoyed learning in the MBA program is organizational leadership and business operations. These courses have given me a strong foundation in how effective leaders think, make decisions, and manage teams, as well as how businesses operate behind the scenes to stay efficient and competitive. I aspire to be in a leadership position one day, so gaining an early understanding of these concepts has been extremely valuable. It’s helped me think more strategically, understand how different parts of a business connect, and approach challenges with a more well-rounded perspective. I believe these are skills that will be essential as I continue to grow in my career.

The structure of the program has given me the flexibility to balance both work and academics, while also providing opportunities to explore my career interests. I’ve been able to actively interview for roles in the tech and pharmaceutical industries, which has been a great way to apply what I’m learning and prepare for the next step in my career.

Career Goals

In my role with Merritt Enterprises International, I focus on creative content and digital marketing initiatives that support brand growth and communication. I develop content across multiple platforms, including social media, websites, and video, to help engage audiences and clearly communicate product value.

I’ve also been involved in website design and updates using the Showit platform, as well as creating visual assets such as graphics, presentations, and video content. A key part of my role includes creating PowerPoint presentations for speakers at nationwide conventions, helping them effectively promote the brand and communicate with large audiences.

Overall, my role has allowed me to blend creativity with strategy while gaining hands-on experience in how digital marketing supports business objectives.

My immediate goal is to begin my career in a full-time role within either tech or pharmaceutical sales, where I can continue developing my skills in communication, relationship-building, and problem-solving. I’m excited about the opportunity to work in a fast-paced, results-driven environment where I can grow both personally and professionally.

Long-term, I aspire to move into a leadership position where I can make a meaningful impact. I’m driven to work hard, continue learning, and earn my way into those opportunities. As I grow in my career, it’s important to me that I also help bring others along with me, whether that’s through mentorship, leadership, or creating a positive team environment. At the end of the day, my goal is not just to be successful, but to make a lasting impact on others, because that’s what matters most to me.