Cover Story Feature

Behind every Sigma Alpha event, there are many people and companies that believe deeply in this sorority. But what happens when that support goes to the next level? Something special happens when a sponsor becomes more than a believer, but also an employer of Sigma Alpha sisters.

Meet Mary Allison Page. She is originally from Gibsonville, North Carolina, and a spring 2021 Mississippi State University graduate. She majored in Horticulture with a concentration in Fruit and Vegetable Production and also received minors in International Studies in Agriculture and Ornamental Horticulture/ Floriculture. While in College, Mary joined Sigma Alpha to meet other women who were as active and interested in agriculture as she was, and to have a chance to network within the industry and build more relationships on campus. It also helped lead to a career with SiteOne, an Emerald level sponsor with Sigma Alpha.

“I first became familiar with SiteOne the summer going into my senior year. Ms. Robyn Moffat, a Recruiting Manager within SiteOne, reached out to me mentioning that SiteOne was looking for remote interns who were majoring in Horticulture,” explained Page. “At the time, I jumped at the idea because we were in the middle of the pandemic, I wanted something to do, and thought it would be great work experience going into my last year

of undergrad. However, through the course of the internship, I actually began to picture myself working for SiteOne on a fulltime basis after college. I fully enjoyed working with the Nursery Category, and the work itself was something I liked.”

Despite being fully remote, Mary Allison says her internship experience with SiteOne was one of the best internship experiences. She worked with the Nursery Category team and two other interns as part of a huge taxonomy project. "To me, the work was satisfying and very informative. SiteOne treated us like one of their own, and it was a great experience.” Following the internship, SiteOne offered Mary Allison a full-time role in the company. Currently, she works as the Nursery Data Coordinator for the Nursery Category team. “I work remotely with the Demand and Fulfillment team, plant vendors, Nursery Purchasing Agents, branches, and the National Buyers on various projects and jobs within the category,” she explained.

“Looking back, I cannot believe that I am now working for one of Sigma Alpha’s sponsors. Prior to the internship, I was not sure what part of the horticulture field I would pursue after college. However, thanks to Sigma Alpha, I am now working in my degree field for such a fantastic company. It shows how beneficial the sorority is and what it can offer to sisters in college. The partnership between SiteOne and Sigma Alpha is very special, and I urge any sister in a green industry-related major to look at SiteOne as your next step in or after college!” For Sigma Alpha sisters interested in internships and career opportunities with SiteOne, reach out to Ms. Robyn Moffat at RMoffat@siteone.com.