Sophomore business students gained experience and received feedback in networking and interviewing.
Forty-four sophomores in the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business got a head start on their career development during LSB Sophomore Success, a professional development event designed specifically for sophomores. Hosted by the Porter Family Professional Development Center, the Oct. 11 event allowed the students to gain experience and confidence interacting with professionals and to receive constructive feedback on their interviewing and networking abilities.
The students rotated through seven 15-minute sessions with employer representatives from CHG Healthcare, FactSet Research Systems, Piper Cos. and SAS Institute, as well as staff members from the Porter Family Professional Development Center and the Student Professional Development Center. During these sessions, the students had their resumes reviewed, practiced networking and conducted a mock interview with the employer representatives. The students also learned how to navigate a business dining experience, had a professional photo taken for their LinkedIn profiles, and learned about social media and first impressions.
“The Sophomore Success event was extremely helpful in improving professional skills such as how to optimize performance in interviews and networking events,” Carly Struyk ’19 said. “We were able to learn more about improving our presence in a room of professionals, how to best approach potential employment opportunities, as well as how to act in professional settings.”
“The reason that we offer (the event) to sophomores is that we truly do believe that this is a really perfect time for them to start to gain exposure and practice in the skills we offer,” said Danielle Golinski, assistant director of career services for the Love School of Business. “At times, students may feel nervous or anxious about practicing these professional skills, but this event was created with this in mind. This is an opportunity to give them a starting point…and just to really start the interactions with employers.”
About the Porter Family Professional Development Center
The Porter Family Professional Development Center builds lasting relationships with students by offering support and coaching throughout the student’s academic and professional journey in the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business. The center’s staff offers consultative one-on-one meetings with students to create an action plan that will help each student secure the internship or job that best suits their career goals.