Cianni Thomas ’23
Thanks to Bryant, Cianni Thomas ’23 can take her career path in any direction she wants. A human resource management major and vice president of the Multicultural Student Union, her experiences in leadership, event planning, and DEI make her a strong candidate for many future opportunities.
Why did you choose Bryant?
I like to say that Bryant chose me. When I was a senior in high school, I had no dream school in mind. I was going through a list of colleges in the New England area trying to find the right fit for me, and I happened to see Bryant University. It had so many majors that caught my attention, and it really adhered to my values. I wanted a school that had amazing academics, great professors, and an amazing graduation rate, and Bryant University had all of that combined.
How has Bryant prepared you for your future career?
I’m really grateful for my Bryant education because it’s made me realize that I have a lot of options when it comes to career pathways. I’m interested in human resource management, and I also really like event planning and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Bryant has made me realize that I can do anything.
What’s your favorite place on campus?
My favorite place on campus is the Center for Diversity and Inclusion. That’s where I work, that’s where I hang out, and that’s where I see all my friends. We have programs that are specifically tailored for multicultural students, and we also have organizations such as the Multicultural Student Union and International Student Organization.
What are a few highlights of your Bryant experience?
During my time at Bryant I became the vice president for the Multicultural Student Union. It was a great honor for me because I wanted to have more leadership roles on campus, and my senior year I was in charge of Extravaganza. Extravaganza is easily one of my favorite events. I’m really interested in fashion and clothes and art. I was a model for two years. My senior year I took over the event, and it was everything I wanted it to be and more. From the people who were involved, to the clothes that I had, everything came together in this amazing culmination of culture.
What advice would you give to future Bulldogs?
Put yourself out there. Join a lot of clubs and organizations. That way you can make many friends and discover new interests. For me personally, I was in everything. I was in the Chinese club, MSU, Black Women’s Blueprint, and the Society for Human Resource Management. It’s great because I was able to make new friends, and I’m still able to cultivate relationships to this day.
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“I was particularly drawn to Bryant because of the small class sizes and many opportunities to get real-world experience. The small classes have offered me opportunities to really get to know my professors. They know me by name, show genuine interest in my goals, and advocate for my success.”
“I really feel like Bryant prepared me for the next chapter of my life. Bryant has given me the tools and resources I need to get internships at a professional level. As a student, I was able to complete three different internships at three different companies.”
“No other school had a career program like Bryant’s. When I started looking for an internship, I didn’t know where to begin. I was able to sit down with one of the career counselors at the Amica Center, and they walked me through the process and looked over my resume. They were really helpful.”