12.05Panel on “Transitioning Into the Working World”
“Get experience in your area.” “Start your job search early.” “Many companies rarely post jobs so call on your connections.” These were some of the good statements of advice from seven business graduates who discussed the topic, “Transitioning Into the Working World”.
The event was held December 1st and sponsored by the NNU Accounting Club. One panel member, Tyson Berg, had graduated from Boise State University in 2009. The other panel members were NNU graduates from 1999 to 2006; John Greentree, Ryan Warwick, Gabe Crum, Dean Sandros, Teresa Sandros and Molly Kling. Their collective work experience includes being self employed, working in marketing, investing and accounting.
How important is your GPA? According to the graduates, “A degree is proof that you have the tenacity and discipline to finish. Your GPA shows that you can stay focused and is chiefly what you are judged on upon graduation.”
What is the most important skill for a student to have? According to Ryan Warwick, that skill is public speaking. He suggested Toast Masters or Dale Carnegie classes, and suggested professors should make their students get up and talk in class.
Panel members didn’t always agree however. When asked for their thoughts on completing a master’s degree, Dean Sandros thought students should wait to complete a master’s program until they have some work experience. Gabe Crum on the other hand thought students should, “plug away on it before life hits,” noting it is hard to balance school, a full time job and a wife.
Nearly 50 people attended the event, and each person walked away with a better understanding of how to spend his or her university experience preparing to transition into the working world when graduated.
Story contributed by Professor Ann Thompson-Crabb