Rafael Vite Fuentes is a Missouri State alumnus from Saltillo, Mexico. He completed his M.S. degree in Business Administration in Spring 2019. When Rafael was a student, he dreamed of working in a supportive workplace. Rafael’s dream included the continuous development of his professional skills. Today, he is a digital advertising specialist in Campaignium in Springfield, MO.

Beginning the educational journey in Missouri State.

Rafael became a Bear in 2013. He completed his degree in entrepreneurship with a minor in international management. He did his best to make the best experience out of his study at Missouri State. Thus, he started working for the Office of International Programs and engaged in many training programs

Besides his involvement in many training and development programs, he finds his peace in his leadership roles in the different associations he engaged with. Rafael was the president of the Association of International Students for two years in a row. Making him the only president leading the association two terms in a row. “AIS is what I accredit the most for all my leadership skills and development”. Rafael says he found the sense of fulfillment and excitement to lead a large association for two years. It also helped him to develop his time management skills. He successfully fulfilled his duties as a president, employee and student. Likewise, he was part of the GLaM (Global Leaders and Mentors) program. GLaM taught Rafael how to become a great mentor. It also enhanced the sense of volunteering for him.

Since he was good at his work, he received an offer for a Graduate Assistantship. The Office of International Programs supported Rafael to pursue an MBA degree and continue his education.

Finding a career in Springfield, MO.

“the culture of my company is very friendly and supportive”

In May 2019, Rafael completed his MBA program. He decided to pursue a career in Springfield, MO and make his best experience in the U.S. Thus, he was hired as a Digital Advertising Specialist in Campaignium in Springfield, MO. Rafael creates, designs and strategizes advertisement campaigns for clients. Usually, the client base varies from small businesses and lawyers to national banking industry and retail businesses.

Rafael likes his workplace. The best thing he feels is the variety of his clients. Each client has a different vision and different goals they wish to achieve. Moreover, he works in what is known as flex-hours. Campaignium requires 8 hours a day anytime between 7:00AM and 7:00PM. Rafael finds this environment quite motivational, supportive and proper for the 21st century. For all these reasons, Rafael states “I wake up 1000% excited to go to work”.

Missouri State education & preparation for the job market.

“Missouri State really prepared me not only academically but also to engage in the community and develop my skills”

Rafael says Missouri State has prepared him for the working place in a good way. He recalls he needed to interact with real clients, identify their needs and help them. This was part of his classes works in his undergraduate. Studying digital advertising in Missouri State has helped him in his current job. He likes digital marketing and advises MSU to expand (even more) in that direction.

Rafael loved the fact that his entrepreneurship courses were valuable in building on his current job. His learning experience in those courses gave him a real working experience. “One time, we had to develop a business model for a client in the process of founding their business” In another course, he had to partner with an establishes business and help it improve. Rafael says all these practices developed the skills he uses nowadays.

Making the best memories out of the community engagement in Missouri State!

“Most of us were there without our families. We had to create our own families”

Rafael believes if he had not engaged with the different activities on-campus, his experience would have been incomplete. He says the diverse community of Missouri State was the major influence over his personal development. Likewise, he says Missouri State’s best gift for him was teaching him how to be flexible. He says flexibility makes him go above and beyond and able to adapt no matter what.

As a second language speaker, he likes the fact it challenges him to be more successful “It motivates me, I loved it” he says. Thus, he always volunteered for a leadership position in his classes as well. He asserted that although his teams were led by a second language speaker, they always were one of the best. Sometimes, they received additional points for their extraordinary performance.

Rafael’s best engagement memory is the finale of the International Banquet & Show. The banquet AIS hosts annually. He misses his supervisor and coworkers in the Office of International Programs. From his courses, he misses the final presentations at the end of each semester. Likewise, his graduation was a great achievement he was happy to accomplish. Today, Rafael finds his greatest professional accomplishment in his current job, which was his dream job as a student. “I am exactly where I wish to be right now,” Rafael says.

“Get involved with anything you like. Not only with associations, fraternities or sororities but also with your classes that develop your skills.” – Rafael Vite Fuentes