Management seminar gets
students thinking beyond the job offer

Career development begins with first professional position

As a committee member for the third annual Management Aspirations Seminar, CBA student Jessica Wojciechowski hoped to give other students a chance to put the books aside for a moment and consider the “big picture.”

“We often don’t take the time to think about applying what we’re learning,” Wojciechowski said. “At the seminar we were given the chance to learn how things work in the real world.”

The seminar, “Success From the Start: Getting Beyond the Job Offer,” gave students the chance to hear what business professionals had to say about getting the most out of their first job – from applying their knowledge to handling budgets and navigating office politics.

Rhonda Wood, regional vice president for Enterprise Rent-a-Car, and John Pelizzari, president and CEO of Fifth Third Bank Northern Michigan, gave keynote speeches, which were followed by breakout sessions and panel discussions on such topics as the job hunt, internships, networking, corporate culture and ethics, and gender issues in the workplace.

“Enterprise will hire 7,000 entry-level college graduates in the next fiscal year,” Wood said. “Central Michigan University is one of our top schools, and I wanted to come here today to show how, out of 7,000 new hires, CMU students can make themselves stand out.”

When Nancy Csapo, associate professor of business information systems, became committee chair for this year’s Management Aspirations Seminar, she tapped Wojciechowski to serve because she needed someone organized, responsible, and detail oriented.

“Jessica is one of those kids who is one in a million,” Csapo said. “She’s top drawer in every way and in so many areas. The seminar is a great opportunity for her and her fellow students to talk one-on-one with business professionals.”

Career choices made easier

Wojciechowski, who is a junior majoring in marketing as well as interpersonal and public communications, said she gained a clearer view of her own career path after attending the Management Aspirations Seminar as a freshman.

“The speakers really give you direction,” Wojciechowski said. “I’d love to be a professor or consultant in marketing communications.”

She also has an interest in mentoring relationships and studying personality types. In particular, she likes the idea of going into a workplace to study its dynamics and finding ways to improve conditions.

“The speakers this year gave me something to aspire to. We hope to continue to draw more students, both business and nonbusiness majors,” Wojciechowski said. “It’s a great way for alums to give back to students. It’s also good to see people from CMU who’ve stepped up and gone on to do great things.”

Nancy Csapo, associate professor of business information systems, and junior Jessica Wojciechowski discuss business with keynote speaker Rhonda Wood, regional vice president for Enterprise Rent-a-Car, at the third annual Management Aspirations Seminar.