Business Week 2011

Mentoring Program

This spring Illinois State University’s College of Business established a new tradition by incorporating a mentorship program into Business Week through which Business 100 students showing early leadership potential were partnered with faculty nominated upperclassmen who guided the new participants throughout the week’s activities by serving as role models and pre-professional coaches. Mentor training was provided by Eric Hoss ’87, M.B.A. ’90, author of Removing Doubt in an Interview: A Better Approach to getting the Job you Want. His coaching focused on essential skills needed to maximize interaction with industry partners at various Business Week events.

Keynote

Since 2003, David Magers ’77, M.B.A. ’86, has been executive vice president and chief financial officer of COUNTRY Financial, where he is responsible for financial reporting and controls, investments, internal auditing, planning, risk management, and administration at COUNTRY and its three alliance companies. He touched on many important themes in his keynote address, “Winning with Integrity—The Importance of Principles in Achieving Success,” to more than 1,400 attendees in Braden Auditorium. With scandals, under-the-table deals, and back-room wheeling and dealing making daily headlines, take a few minutes to listen to this Hall of Fame member’s highly enjoyable and timely remarks at www.cob.ilstu.edu/businessweek/2011.

Leadership Perspectives

M.B.A. students, alumni, and Chamber of Commerce members enjoyed the networking and professional development opportunity provided through the first annual Leadership Perspectives Dinner. College of Business Alumni Hall of Fame inductee Jeff Stempora, M.B.A. ’95, CEO and board member of the Evogi Group, served as the keynote speaker. His thought-provoking presentation, “Adversity: The New Norm,” provided fodder for excellent follow-up conversations by participants.

Transition Seminars

Understanding how to make a smooth transition from student to professional is essential. A team of 18 alumni in different professions and career phases shared their perspectives and tips through mini-seminars.

Don’t get lost in the shuffle 

Nicia Behary ’92, CPA, CMA, and
independent consultant; and David Vangeison ’76, director of federal aerospace and defense, Sopheon

An insider’s guide to mentors 

Scott Christner, M.B.A. ’00, director of technology, College of Business; and Kathy Schanefelt, M.B.A. ’00, market manager, Archer Daniels Midland

I’ve gotta keep learning? Seriously?  

Bailee O’Brien ’03, sponsorship coordinator, State Farm; and Anne Shipman ’04, M.B.A. ’07, senior internal auditor, GROWMARK

Demographics, company culture,
and communication know-how 

Rochella O’Quinn ’85, senior accountant, Christian Community Health Center; and Michael Siemann ’81, global account manager, Hitachi

Experience required 

Tom Gregory, ’89, attorney, Gregory &
Lai Attorneys at Law; and Michael Heneghan,
’99, senior analyst, Driehaus Capital Management LLC

Yep—they’re watching 

Deb Christner ’00, design analyst, State Farm Insurance; and Rachel Meier ’99, senior
product specialist, Edward Jones

Paying your dues 

Sarah Clinton ’99, senior vice president financial institutions, Cole Taylor Bank; and Craig Foley ’93, vice president core services, LifeWatch

Professional image 

Amy Sajko, M.B.A. ’05, trust officer,
Commerce Bank; and Nicole Albertson ’96, M.B.A. ’08, human resource manager,
Heritage Enterprises

Charting your path 

Mark McIntosh ’94, business development, Crowe Horwath; and John Vogel ’95,
M.B.A. ’97, vice president, Amalgamated Bank of Chicago

Etiquette and Networking Dinner

Accounting faculty members Debbie Lindberg and Debbie Seifert helped participants at the annual Etiquette Dinner learn appropriate behaviors so a potentially stressful encounter with a future employer was transformed into an enjoyable professional opportunity. The authentic dinner with employers was followed by Connections with Meaning—Building Valuable Relationships through Networking.

Michael Slater, founder of
Speednetworking.com created the program especially for Illinois State University students to help them uncover their networks and develop a networking roadmap to jump-start their careers. Through this interactive session participants partnered with industry guests and dinner companions to hone their newly acquired skills and learn ways to reach out with meaning after the event had concluded. Slater’s work has been recognized in The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, and Entrepreneur Magazine.

Mock interviews 

More than 120 students developed interview expertise by scheduling 30-minute sessions with real-world recruiters. Each received instant feedback to help them improve their future performance. Thank you to all of the firms that provided their support and personnel.

Corporate Social Responsibility Event

College of Business student organizations joined forces to give back to the community by beautifying Bloomington-Normal’s Constitution Trail during Business Week’s culminating Friday afternoon service event.