As an intern for the U.S. Forest Service, Anna Hosse is literally taking her classroom knowledge outside. The Haslam College of Business senior marketing major reports to the Watershed, Fish, Wildlife, Air & Rare Plants Unit of the National Forest System under the Threatened and Endangered Species sector. There, she is responsible for creating a comprehensive marketing strategy for the reintroduction of red wolves to the Southeast. 

“The red wolf is the most endangered wolf species in the world,” Hosse says. “Since they are a part of the wolf family, there is usually a negative connotation associated with them.”

Hosse’s work aims to show how the reintroduction of red wolves is vital to preserve the species. To do this, she has leaned on knowledge from her marketing classes.

“My classes in Haslam have prepared me with the tools necessary to make the project successful,” Hosse says. “The knowledge I have gained from my integrated marketing communications class has been especially useful regarding this project, since the course covers a variety of essential topics, ranging from digital marketing to public relations.”

This experience has given Hosse a real-world view of the benefits her business education brings to a team.

“With the majority of my teammates being biology and wildlife conservation majors, I am the only marketing-oriented individual on my team,” Hosse says. “I have been eager to share the knowledge I have received from my classes and previous hands-on experience from Haslam.” 

As a Haslam student, Hosse says she has been able to connect with a variety of experiences that have given her an advantage as she took on this work challenge.

“Without a doubt, the best part about being a student in the Haslam College of Business is the vast amount of opportunities that the college provides to its students,” Hosse says. “The college makes it a priority for its students to be fully prepared for the business world.”

Hosse plans to seek a full-time marketing position after graduation. For now, she is concentrating on her conservation and preservation passion through the red wolf project.

“I am beyond excited to see where this project progresses,” Hosse says. “To actually make an impact on the survival of a species is an experience that I will cherish forever.”