Learning in a college classroom is the first step toward preparing for the future. However, some lessons go beyond traditional learning.
That is why Lander University restructured its annual business symposium and launched Business Week, a series of programs, workshops and informative sessions to help students learn about life about graduation.
“Students learn so much critical information in their classes, but some material is best delivered outside the classroom,” said Dr. Lloyd Willis, dean of the College of Graduate and Online Studies and interim dean of the College of Business. “For this week-long event, we wanted to package a series of high-impact experiences for our students and do it in a way that would maximize the impact of them all.”
The week began with a program by entrepreneur Maya Ratcliff, founder and CEO of Hawaii Fluid Art, and continued with the opportunity for students to have free, professional headshots taken for their use in pursuing internships and jobs, workshops on preparing a resume and learning about financial literacy, a program on developing a professional wardrobe, and a career/internship fair.
Gabriel Reyes, who turned out in a suit and tie for his professional headshot session, said, “This is for the future. I’ve never had a professional photo taken before, and I know that I will need one.”
A senior accounting major from Columbia, Reyes has an internship with Cox Accounting Solutions in Greenwood. “I’m usually dressed more casually on campus, but I like dressing up for my internship.”
The College of Business provided professional clothing, too, for students to choose from for their photographs, which were traditional head-and-shoulders shots.
Will VanVollenhoven, a sophomore business major from Chapin, chose a white shirt and yellow tie to go with a navy blue-jacket for his photo. “I really need an updated photo for my LinkedIn and social media accounts,” he said. “The college made it very easy for us to get the photos that we need to have.”
The career/internship fair drew a standing-room-only crowd as students talked to potential employers about internship and job opportunities. For Adalis Bowser, a senior business marketing major from Clover, the event gave her “a chance to branch out and get my foot in the door with companies before I leave college.”
Courtney Carpenter, center, of Lander’s Career Services, talked with students about on-campus job opportunities during the career/internship fair held by the College of Business. Photo by Karen Petit.
Bowser, who hopes for a career in social media marketing, said the College of Business has been helpful in giving students extra opportunities to learn about the business world. “I have learned so much, and it’s given me information that I can share and compare with my Dad, who is a business manager.”
A junior majoring in financial services, Christian Sprouse, of Greenwood, said he has an internship with Republic Finance. “It’s a great internship for me. I’m interested in their assistant branch manager program. Today, I’m looking at what other opportunities there could be for me. Lander is doing a great job of setting us up for the future.”
Courtney Carpenter, of Lander’s Career Services, described the career fair as “highly important.”
The career fairs on the University’s campus are opportunities for all students, even freshmen, to learn how to network with potential employers. “Often, you will see the same recruiters every year,” she said. “By starting early, you have the chance to connect with them and develop a good networking relationship.”
Willis said the College of Business plans to continue building Business Week into a bigger event moving forward.
“It was an outstanding event for the college, and everyone involved – students, faculty and special guests – felt that it was a tremendous success. Our kickoff event with Maya Ratcliff exceeded every expectation,” he said. “Our mid-week professional dress, resume preparation, and financial literacy workshops were meaningful and well-attended, and our concluding career/internship fair was filled to capacity.”