The College of Business awarded undergraduate diplomas to 753 students in June, and for most of them, the next destination is the working world.
A handful of those newly minted bachelor’s degree recipients took a few minutes to tell us about the jobs they’ll be doing and how the College of Business helped prepare them to hit the ground running on their career track.
Business information systems graduate Alec Bryan is a network administrator for Avidex, a 150-person company in Bellevue, Wash., that specializes in design, installation, integration, and technical support of audio/visual equipment.
“The College of Business has prepared me in so many more ways that the excellent education that I attended OSU for,” said Bryan, who worked for in the college’s information services department while going to school. “I am particularly thankful for how students are recognized for their talents and ambitions. It seems like by graduation, every student has found their place in the college and been given a role that not only gives them experience in what they are skilled at, but also creates the well-rounded experience that employers see as a commodity.”
Bryan appreciated that well-roundedness in his classmates as well.
“I loved how if you needed an expert on a topic, even if it weren’t business related, just by inquiring of your classmates you could find someone who knew exactly what you were looking for,” he said. “If I ever found myself needing motivation, I would find myself going into the digital commons to just people-watch for a few minutes; I found it inspiring to see people in their element.”
As he neared completion of his degree, Bryan learned to seek out the students in his classes who had branched outside their majors to be there.
“They are often the most relatable, not because they have experience in your area, but because they have interest, and chances are that you will have interest in what they do also,” he said.
Taylor Wobig, an interior design graduate who works in that capacity for Green Curve Studio, Inc., in Beaverton, noted that the College of Business has “an amazing faculty that cared about my learning experience and what I took away from the classes.”
“Since it was so easy to ask questions and talk to faculty, I grew confidence and my education was richer,” said Wobig, who understandably listed interacting with professors and instructors among the collection of advice she’d give to current and future COB students.
“Take advantage of the free services the College of Business has to offer,” she said. “Utilize the study rooms, use the computer lab often, or even relax in the lounge.”
Marketing graduate Abby Dahl, a member of the Austin Entrepreneurship Program, is working in sales for Food Guys, a Wilsonville-based ingredient company.
“The College of Business has helped me realize the potential I have and the opportunities that are available to me as a college graduate,” she said. “They have taught me that I should never settle, and to always strive to do better, and be a better me. I will miss the friends I have made and being part of a community of like-minded students in the Austin Entrepreneurship Program. I will also miss the constant support and love of the Weatherford faculty in AEP.”
To the students already in the college and those who will follow, Dahl suggests they “look in places you wouldn’t normally consider in finding a job.”
“Job shadow, meet with people at companies you think you want to work for, because you may realize that you want something different,” she said. “Trying on a shoe is different than saying it looks nice — if you wouldn’t buy clothes before you try them on to see how they look or fit, you shouldn’t do the same with a job.”
Finance graduate Arseniy Goldberg is a client assistant in Portland for Robert W. Baird & Co., a financial services firm for which he interned.
“The College of Business taught me how to be a friend, a professional and a lifelong learner,” Goldberg said. “The daily interactions with other students, alumni, faculty and staff taught me much more about the world than the curriculum of a class could. The COB opened my eyes to the fact that it is the differences that make us stronger, not the similarities.”
Goldberg offers this advice to other students:
“Get involved with as many activities, jobs, programs and events as possible. The opportunities and resources are out there for the students to use, and it is up to us to use them. Once you get involved, your career, professional, personal and interpersonal development will turn into a snowball effect. The growth of an individual is ignited by the College of Business, but the persistence of that growth is solely up to the student.”
