YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Youngstown State University students looking to carve a pathway toward their futures received a wealth of advice Friday from professionals representing a crosscut of local business and industry.
The Williamson College of Business Administration’s Professional Development Summit – the first of two slated for this year – attracts between 100 and 130 students per event, said Christina O’Connell, executive director of the Center for Career Management at YSU.
“Students are learning more about different career paths within their area of interest,” O’Connell said. “They don’t know everything that’s open and out there, and we bring in panelists so they can talk about their careers.”
Panel sessions were divided into six general disciplines: accounting, business administration, finance/business economics, human resources, management/supply chain/ international business and marketing/sales. Each student was to attend two panel discussions that aligned with their career interests.
The WCBA hosts these events usually during the first few weeks of the fall and spring semesters, O’Connell said. This way, students are better prepared for other programs such as Meet the Employer Day, which allows prospective graduates to further network with local business professionals and executives.
“A lot of these employers who are on the panels now will be back for Meet the Employers Day,” O’Connell added. “So it’s a great way to continue the conversation, and students are a little more comfortable.”
YSU has hosted the program since 2011, O’Connell said, noting that it’s proven successful over the years. “We want to make sure students have the tools they need.”
Daniela Alcobendas, a business administration major, said the sessions were helpful because she is still unsure what discipline she would like to pursue. “I have two minors – entrepreneurship and international business,” she said. The panel on international business helped her better understand how companies navigate the global marketplace, she said.
Gabriela Machin, a marketing and professional sales major, said she attended the sessions because she wanted more information about what to consider for a minor or a master’s program once she graduates. “Hearing the employer’s stories helped me,” she said. “I’d like to talk to them further about how they started and how to get there.”
Between three and six professionals staffed the panel sessions, where they shared experiences within their industries. The workshops were followed by a lunchtime networking opportunity where students could interact with the employers.
Nathan Mitchell, an area manager for Amazon, told students during the management, supply chain and international business session that he was drawn to the online retail giant’s distribution operations because it allowed him to “develop his own team atmosphere.”
The job allows him to experiment with new processes and ideas to improve operations. “It’s so fun,” he said.
Lisa Resnick, founder and CEO of Dandelion-Inc., a local consulting firm that specializes in supporting women entrepreneurs, said it’s important for young people to remain focused on their goals, even if you are outside your comfort zone. “Stay persistent,” she advised. “Get out there and put yourself in uncomfortable positions. Don’t just rely on resume submittals.”
Resnick was among six panelists who participated in the marketing and sales session. When asked whether it would be a good move to leave the Mahoning Valley for work, she said it could be healthy to take a position out of Youngstown to gain independence and confidence. Once that is achieved, one should consider returning to the Valley, where they could thrive.
Speaking from personal experience, Resnick said that once she left the region and worked in an environment that was “sink or swim,” she developed capabilities and a sense of accomplishment that she had never known before.
“That made me stronger, so that when I came back, I was able to do the things that I wanted to do,” Resnick said. “This area – there’s a ton of opportunity here.”
Ann Weinberger, a former marketing executive at Smucker’s, recently struck out and founded her own marketing company, Inspire Works. She said students should take their college years to perform due diligence and research as to what companies and jobs fit their life goals. Depending on the nature of the profession, that path may or may not take them outside the region.
“I think that students have a lot of opportunities these days at YSU,” noting these forums are able to open up new doors for long-lasting careers. “Don’t be shy. Get out there and go for what you’re interested in and do your best at it.”
Pictured at top: YSU students Daniela Alcobendas and Gabriela Machin attend the Professional Development Summit.