Assistant to the President
"I was in an applied two-year program and hadn't really considered a bachelor's degree until one of my professors at Sinclair inspired me to reach beyond my current goals. When I learned how much more I could earn and how much more secure my job would be with a bachelor's degree, I realized that my professor was right. With the encouragement of my academic advisor at the Raj Soin College of Business, I supported myself through school and will graduate with a major in international business and a 3.5 GPA. I'm now employed with a multi-national firm here in the Dayton region."
Why Wright State?
Because I was living and working on my own, I had to find the most affordable and best quality business program around. I met with Charles Long, my business advisor, and knew that Wright State offered both the best value and a quality AACSB- accredited program. Plus, the very supportive faculty and staff helped me even before I formally transferred to the College of Business.
Tips for Success
- Think big and bigger. Because I had to support myself through college, I thought I could only afford an associate’s degree. My professors at Sinclair and Wright State encouraged me to go for my bachelors’ degree and gave me the confidence and support I needed to achieve my goal.
- Meet with a College of Business advisor – even before you transfer. By meeting with my College of Business advisor, I was confident that the classes I was taking at Sinclair would transfer and that I was not wasting any time or money in completing my bachelor’s degree.
- Push yourself to manage your time. I worked more than one job, but still took time to get involved on campus and have some fun too.
Leadership
I am involved in several clubs on campus, including the International Business Club, serving as Treasurer for the club; President of the Ski and Snowboard Club and Treasurer of the Sports Council. Snowboarding and sports are my passions. So it was easy to develop my leadership skills and financial experience while helping other students discover all the great activities available on campus.
Internships/Class projects
All international business majors are required to complete an internship for academic credit as part of their graduation requirements. That’s definitely one of the key advantages of the IB program at Wright State. I completed my internship with Seepex, Inc., a German-owned company, located here in the Dayton area. I was able to work with the Germany-based marketing staff and international sales force on several marketing, sales and website projects. The portfolio of projects I completed and the evaluation I received from the CEO of Seepex definitely will help me in my job search.
Career Plans
After graduation, I’m headed to California with the goal of working for an international marketing firm. One of my professors has put me in touch with a former colleague who has some contacts at Patagonia, the international sports clothing company, and I have a couple of other interviews lined up as well.
Most Valuable Experience
It’s hard to pick just one. Definitely all the club outings, like ski trips to Colorado or visiting the Global Markets Division at the Ohio Department of Development helped me make friends and consider options after graduation. I also interviewed and landed a student coordinator position for a continuing education program offered by the College of Business. This position was perfect because I could work right on campus while improving my organizational and event planning skills. Plus, I met HR directors and other professionals from all over the region who were taking the PHR/SPRH preparation class I coordinated.
