Commonwealth University Student Spotlight on Marketing Major, Gabriella Gabrielov

Not every high school student knows exactly what their dream career is before applying to colleges. In fact – a majority are unsure, but choose something that sounds interesting to them to get them there. And for some, the choice changes and evolves after experiencing different classes, professors and campus employment opportunities.

For rising Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg senior, Gabriella “Gabby” Gabrielov, her “ah-ha” moment came after realizing her fun campus employment experience could actually help guide her toward the career she is now most passionate about in social media.

Gabrielov, of Queens, New York, is a first-generation marketing major with a minor in personal finance planning. After touring several colleges and universities in the tri-state area, she found herself on CU-Bloomsburg’s campus and knew she was home. Already a lover of huskies, that was just the cherry on top when she walked the campus and thought, “I can see my future here.”

Beginning her career at Bloomsburg as a finance major, she applied for and was offered a social media student worker position with Sarah Smeltz, CU’s social media manager.

“I love seeing the world of social media and marketing and really wanted to be part of it,” Gabrielov said. “After meeting Sarah and learning that you can make a full-on career with your passions, I knew this was more of what I wanted to do forever.” That is when she made the decision to change her career path and major to marketing.

Gabrielov describes herself as the “go-to girl” for all things on the Bloomsburg main social media accounts.

“I help create reels, posts and I am newly venturing into the photography world,” she said. “I highlight the campus, the people and events. With each assignment Sarah gives me, it pushes me to learn something new, step out of the box or challenge me in some way. I am constantly learning.”

At Bloomsburg, Gabrielov is also involved with TRIO Student Support Services and is an admissions ambassador. She said Thomas Kresch, director of enrollment communications and graduate admissions, was also influential in her career moves. “If it wasn't for admissions and TK (Thomas Kresch), I would not have realized that I wanted to build this into something more,” she said.
Through her student employment with Smeltz and the CU office of strategic communications and marketing, she said she has been given the opportunity to see parts of Bloomsburg she has never had the chance to see before. She also gets to explore the Lock Haven and Mansfield campuses.

Gabrielov’s dream career goal is to become a social media manager for the Dallas Cowboys, but says anything in the social media world would be ideal.

“Without Sarah and the social media position, I would not have gained the experience and knowledge I've learned so far,” she said. “This position was the stamp of ‘this is what I should be doing.’ ”