Once Upon a Time: Storyteller begins her story at Trulaske College of Business
Audrey Snider’s story begins in Chillicothe, a town of less than 10,000 in north-central Missouri. Thanks to her education at the University of Missouri’s Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business, this first-generation student and recipient of Trulaske’s Undergraduate Student Leadership Award will soon begin writing a new chapter in Los Angeles. As she prepares to graduate with a degree in marketing, a minor in film studies, and certificates in Digital Marketing and Writing Intensive Studies, Snider stands ready to pursue a career in entertainment marketing.
Why did you choose Mizzou?
Snider: As a first-generation college student from a small town, I was drawn to the idea of being part of a large and supportive community. When I visited Columbia, I immediately felt at home. I fell in love with the campus atmosphere and the opportunities Mizzou offered, and I knew it was where I wanted to spend the next four years growing academically and personally.
What motivated you to pursue your field of study at Trulaske?
Snider: I was heavily involved in Future Business Leaders of America in high school and served as district president. Through business classes, case studies, and community engagement, I was introduced to the world of marketing. I was especially drawn to the intersection of creativity and analytics.
What makes creativity and analytics such a powerful combination?
I quickly learned that I could have the best ideas in the world and all the creative ambition to follow my passions, but without a strong analytics and digital marketing strategy, nobody would ever see my work. Creativity is what draws people in, but analytics is what actually gets it in front of the right audience. Through my coursework and experience creating content and working on film projects, I’ve seen how data shapes decisions, from understanding what performs well on social media to knowing how to position a project for a specific audience. Analytics is not about limiting creativity, but it’s about supporting it. When you understand both, you’re able to create something meaningful and make sure it reaches people in a way that actually resonates.
How did Mizzou help you pursue both those interests?
I honestly did not know studying film was even an option until I met with my academic advisor in the business school. During our first conversation, she asked about my personal interests, and I told her about my love for film production and analysis. She recommended Intro to Film Studies as a humanities credit, and that class completely changed everything for me. It opened up a whole new way of thinking about film, and from that point on, I made it a priority to take at least one film class every semester, which eventually led me to declare a Film Studies minor. What I didn’t expect was how naturally my film and business courses would connect. Taking classes like Art of Production alongside Managerial Accounting helped me understand both the creative and financial sides of filmmaking, from budgeting and payroll to larger concepts like capital investment and margins. My production class really brought everything together. For my final project, I created a full marketing campaign for a short film I produced, including posters, trailers, and a social media strategy that I actually used when submitting to festivals. That experience paid off when my film became a finalist at the Kansas City Underground Film Festival. It was the first time I saw how strategy and creativity work together in a real, tangible way, and it’s ultimately what led me to pursue marketing as my major. Mizzou gave me the space to explore both sides and turn what started as an interest into a clear career path.
What person at Trulaske played an instrumental role in your college experience and what lessons did you learn from that person?
Snider: Kim Hedges, business career specialist, has played an instrumental role in my college journey. From the moment we met, she has shown unwavering support and belief in my goals. She helped me prepare for three internships and continues to guide me in my full-time job search. We have also co-facilitated a Freshman Interest Group for the past three years, where she mentored me as I supported incoming students. Through Kim, I have learned the power of encouragement and the impact of having someone who truly believes in you.
Was there an obstacle that you had to overcome while a student at Trulaske and if so, how did you overcome it?
Snider: As a first-generation student from a small town, I faced imposter syndrome and the challenge of navigating college independently. The Heartland Scholars Academy helped me overcome this. It gave me a strong community of students with similar backgrounds who reminded me that I belonged. I have also taken leadership roles in First-Gen Tigers to help extend that sense of belonging to other first-generation students on campus.
Any advice for students from small towns who are looking to carve out a niche at Mizzou?
Coming from a small town, I understand what it feels like to step into a place like Mizzou and not fully know where you fit yet. I’ve also heard all the comments that business is too broad, or that studying film is just “watching movies.” At a certain point, I realized that none of that really matters. What matters is finding something that genuinely motivates you. For me, that has always been creating and sharing work with others. Whether it’s producing a short film or creating educational content, I’ve found so much value in making something that people can connect with or learn from. My advice would be to lean into what interests you, even if it feels niche or unconventional. Mizzou is a place where you can explore those interests and turn them into something real, you just have to be willing to take that first step.
What’s next for you?
Snider: I plan to move to Los Angeles and pursue a career in entertainment marketing, where I can combine my passion for storytelling with strategic marketing and media planning.
What makes a business degree a great option for those pursuing degrees in the arts or entertainment?
I’m a big advocate for my film studies peers to add a business minor or at least take a few foundational classes like Intro to Marketing or Finance. There’s this misconception that business is too broad and the arts are not practical, but in reality, they rely on each other. At the end of the day, creative work still needs to be funded, marketed, and distributed. Understanding how to position a project, build an audience, and think strategically about growth gives you a huge advantage. For me, it made my creative work feel more purposeful because I wasn’t just making something, I knew how to share it and make it impactful.
Mizzou’s Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business prepares students for success as global citizens, business leaders, scholars, innovators and entrepreneurs by providing access to transformative technologies, offering experience-centered learning opportunities and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset.