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UBWA strives to bring together all students interested in empowering women by encouraging personal and professional growth. Three core pillars of empowerment are furthering ourselves and others, being in the know about the issues, news, and advancements in the world, and communicating to start a conversation about how we can change and better the world. The UBWA Blog, The UBWA Post, strives to further this mission by sharing professional development materials and women’s news, advancements, initiatives, or issues in the world of business, to equip all students interested in empowering women with the knowledge and tools to do so! Communication and knowledge are essential to start conversations and to take action to change and better ourselves, others, and the world and The UBWA Blog serves as a tool to get students one step closer to doing that.
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​For any inquiries regarding The UBWA Post, please contact the blog’s Director, Grace Berlier at berlier.2@osu.edu.
Leave any comments if you want to start a conversation or get in touch! 

The Benefits of A Double Major

4/9/2023

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    Business is a unique discipline that incorporates many different subjects. It includes, but is not limited to, aspects of math, psychology, economics, law, art, and so much more. With this in mind, adding a second major, especially one outside of the Fisher College of Business, can add a lot of value and make you stand out. Whether you are coming into Ohio State with zero or a hundred credit hours, OSU makes it incredibly easy to study two majors. Doing a dual or double major has become even more possible under the new General Education (GE) requirements. Under the new GE requirements, students have more flexibility and credit hours to devote towards other majors, minors, certificates, or curiosities. 
    Anna Chen, who is on the UBWA DEI Committee, is a first-year student with a double major in accounting and psychology. Luckily for her, she came into OSU with enough credits to qualify her as a junior, making it even easier to pursue a second major. As of now, Anna is planning on obtaining a CPA (Certified Public Accountant). Her rationale for choosing accounting is that jobs are abundant, well paying, and stable; her rationale for choosing psychology is that it was intriguing. Anna wants to understand how the brain works and what motivates people to behave in certain ways. Even if she does not pursue psychology as a career, she feels having the background knowledge will help her to be more successful. Furthermore, behind every person's interaction are psychological processes. When applying for jobs, having two majors on her resume will help her stand out amongst other candidates. Anna feels that studying both accounting and psychology will “make [her] a better employee, coworker, and boss,” as she will gain improved communication and empathetic skills. In general, a second major simply opens up possibilities, opportunities, and more career paths. Therefore, it also gives you a degree of flexibility and the comfort of knowing you have options. 
    Accounting is part of the Fisher College of Business while psychology is part of the College of Arts and Sciences. Studying two majors across two different colleges can seem intimidating at first. However, Anna says the process was simple with the support of her advisors. After speaking to her accounting advisor, adding psychology as her second major began with the simple task of sending an email to the psychology department. Anna was quickly able to set up a meeting with an advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences to officially declare psychology as a second major. Something incredibly helpful is the fact that there is a liaison between Fisher and the psychology department, who was able to help Anna make the transition between the two colleges as painless as possible. Each college also provides their own resources to help support their students and ensure their students’ success. Having those extra resources also gives Anna yet another competitive advantage, giving her access to opportunities she may not have gotten otherwise. 
    There are many benefits to having a second major, but, of course, no one should feel pressured to do so. It’s important to remember that adding another major is a difficult and personal choice. Before declaring any major, you should really consider how interested you are in that discipline. Again, OSU provides a lot of options and versatility when it comes to majors, minors, and certificates. No matter what you may decide, Anna encourages everyone “to learn different perspectives and ways to look at the world’s issues”, whether that be from a second major, an internship, a study abroad program, or anything else. Just keep your eyes and mind open to new learning opportunities and take advantage of the time you spend at OSU. 

hallie szmik

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The Advantages of Networking & How to Stand Out

4/2/2023

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      You’re a second-year in college, trying to find an internship for this summer or next, and you attend as many university-held networking events as possible. Yet, you aren’t hearing back from companies. You think you’re doing everything you’re supposed to be doing by attending these events, so you get frustrated. Why aren’t you hearing back from anyone? Is there anything else you can do to stand out from students who have the same goal as you? Does networking really make that big of a difference?
    For this post, I spoke with Jessie Hu, a former UBWA general member who graduated in 2020. Jessie specialized in Consumer Family Financial Services while at Ohio State and was passionate about her role in UBWA. She commented that she loves how supportive UBWA is of women in the business world, as it has been a male dominated field for so long and how great it is to have a community that helps out one another. 
    As many people in the business world would say, “it’s not about what you know, but who you know.” The best way to expand your network and meet more people is by attending events, putting yourself out there, and speaking to people you normally would be afraid to speak with. However, that can be very nerve-wracking for someone who is not as outgoing compared to other individuals. One tip Jessie gave for overcoming this obstacle of nervousness is that if you are at a networking event, or even a school career fair,, go up to a business you are not interested in to use it as a “breaking point.” After you’ve practiced a bit and start to get comfortable, make your way over to a company you are actually interested in. Taking small steps is acceptable, and even encouraged, because not everyone is naturally fearless when it comes to networking ,and that’s okay. Another way to get better at networking and feel more comfortable is by practicing. Preparation is key, and practicing networking in front of friends or parents until you get the hang of it can be extremely beneficial. 
    Another aspect that not many students think about is the bigger picture. As students, our main priority and focus is on the short term. We focus on getting internships and then getting jobs, but what we often don’t realize is that the best things happen when you least expect them too. Jessie shared a story about how networking helped her determine her future career path in ways she never could have predicted. If it were not for networking, she never would have landed the job that she is in now. She was able to receive an interview for her current job through her friend, who she met while taking taekwondo classes, and now couldn’t be happier in her position. The moral of this story is that networking is extremely beneficial, even if it’s informal. Networking does not only have to take place during a formal event, but it can also take place in your daily life.it’s important that you always push yourself to form connections with others around you, because you never know who someone else knows and how that may benefit you in the future. \
    So, next time you’re in a situation where you’re around people you don’t know, don’t be afraid to speak up and build connections.You never know who or where you might be able to get your next job from. Just relax, practice, and go out and attend as many events as you can. Lastly, Jessie left me with advice to “make sure you love what you do, because if you don’t, it will show.”

Cassie kobel

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Gender Dynamics within the Workplace: Dismantling Bias and Expectations for Women

4/1/2023

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A woman in business can deal with an array of challenges due to gender. If you pick up others' slack, show compassion for others, or apologize too much, you’re seen as weak. If you stand your ground or show ambition by asking for a promotion, you’re seen as pushy. Power dynamics, expectations, and biases affect society and the structures within it, including the environments that women encounter in their careers. Many students face firsthand the negative impact of such structures within their personal and professional lives. Though, an awareness and understanding of why power structures came into place, how a microaggression or bias is defined, and the identities of people unlike oneself can better equip individuals to succeed in a business environment. 
Graduating marketing student and Senior Vice President of UBWA, Tori Holzworth spoke with me about the impact minoring in Women’s Studies has had on her outlook on life. Tori has been heavily involved with UBWA since freshman year, taking on several committees and roles throughout her time within the organization. She spoke fondly of her time in UBWA, saying that she is “constantly inspired by the members of UBWA” and loves that she has “been able to be a part of such an uplifting and supportive community…to get out of [her] comfort zone in a safe space.” Tori will take the skills developed throughout her education, internships, and time at UBWA, as she graduates in the spring and begins working at Mettler Toledo in Columbus in the Marketing Early Career Program. 
Ohio State’s Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies minor shows to be a valuable addition to a business degree in terms of enlightening students on how gender, sexual, and other identities impact how individuals interact with one another. A WGSST minor provides a greater understanding of not only dynamics within society as a whole, but also speaks to how gender interacts within a professional environment. Even if you don’t opt to take the minor, being aware of the stereotypes, biases, and behaviors that can negatively impact success within a workplace, a business student can be better equipped to navigate an array of situations. 
Tori described her experience taking Women’s studies classes as “welcoming,” “thought-provoking,” and “diverse.” She took WGSST 1100, Gender, Sex, and Power, her freshman year and decided to minor in Women’s Studies after that. Tori was able to apply her interest in identity, being adopted from China, as well as social justice issues through the minor. Even though Women’s Studies is not directly related to a career in business, Tori expressed that “I will be able to use things I have learned every day within both my professional and personal lives,” as “it is always helpful to better understand yourself and others.” 
By learning more about gender dynamics and expectations, Tori has been able to adapt to professional situations she has encountered. In general, women are viewed as nurturing figures in the workplace - taking on more roles, helping others, and not taking up too much space. When women deviate from this stereotype, they are commonly viewed as too ambitious, pushy, and bitchy, even though their male counterparts are accepted or praised for the same behavior. Since Tori became aware of this dynamic in her own life, she explained that she tries “to speak up and share my own thoughts during group discussions and not default to doing all of the organizational tasks in a project.” She also tries to “be more straightforward and use less hedges” in emails. Due to stereotypes perpetuated in society, it is important for businesswomen to not shy away from assertiveness and ambition in their careers. Women are equally as entitled as men to be confident in the workplace. 
Increased self awareness, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal skills were all takeaways from Tori’s experience with her minor. These are important traits that can be overlooked or not implicitly taught in general business classes, but are still important no matter what field a student goes into. Knowing how to combat biases and be an ally to those who are more likely to be hindered by them is important not just in a professional setting but in life. Tori articulates this sentiment wonderfully, expressing her biggest takeaway in her minor: “while people have various identities, thought processes, and perspectives, most people want to feel valued and safe. Therefore, it is important to treat people with kindness and try to understand them, even if you do not agree with them.” 
Gender dynamics may be more apparent within society, but less obvious dynamics include microaggressions and unconscious bias. According to the Oxford Dictionary, a microaggression is an “indirect, subtle, or unintentional discrimination against members of a marginalized group.” Tori expressed that in her educational career, she has overheard people say, "you're good at math for a girl" or "you're really artistic for a guy.” Microaggressions can negatively impact an individual’s self-image and mental health, as well as the ability to work and learn. 

​Lacey Jones

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Making the Leap and Starting Your Own Business

4/1/2023

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Starting your own business can be daunting. There are a lot of unknowns and uncertainties that can arise. You may not know exactly what you’re doing, and the idea of putting yourself out there and failing can be scary. It can also be costly and timely which may not be feasible for some people. Starting a business is an endeavor that requires a great deal of work, determination, and passion. 
I had the opportunity to talk with Clarissa Smith, a UBWA alum who graduated from Ohio State in 2017. Clarissa is a substitute teacher by day and a podcaster and comedy writer by night. Clarissa started off in corporate America, as she graduated with a business degree and needed the money, but knew she wanted to pursue a more creative career. It was difficult for Clarissa to have her own business on the side while working for a company that didn’t value a work-life balance. Though, since she decided to become a substitute teacher, Clarissa has been able to have a more flexible schedule and free evenings to work on her podcast and comedy writing.
Clarissa’s podcast, “The Final Stretch,” is about her final time in Columbus before moving to Los Angeles. Clarissa moved to L.A. for the first time in 2014 for an internship, but while she was there, she suffered from liver failure and had to get a transplant. It was during this time that Clarissa started her podcast for her family and friends because she wanted them to have something to remember her by in case something were to happen. After her internship, she moved back to Ohio to finish school and graduate. The podcast became a way for Clarissa to track her growth and journey back to L.A. after graduating. Eventually, Clarissa started to receive requests from listeners to talk about certain topics, so she began to interview comedians, actresses, relationship experts, composers, and others who she thought could help give advice and speak about their experiences. 
After receiving positive feedback on her podcast, Clarissa started an LLC that focuses on her podcast but is also related to all things comedy. One of her long-term goals with the LLC is to produce comedy shows as well. 
Being a woman in the comedy space, similarly to business, isn’t easy. Clarissa told me that being a part of UBWA showed her the important opportunities women have and how to ask gender-specific questions, like about maternity leave or how they support women, when finding a job. Although Clarissa left corporate America, this skill set has helped her in comedy because it’s an industry dominated by men, much like the business world. 
As a business owner, you are likely to encounter many challenges and need to make changes or pivot even years after you start. One of these struggles for Clarissa has been marketing and advertising her podcast. As of right now, Clarissa says her marketing tactics fluctuate, but she knows she needs a more scheduled and planned approach to connect to her audience. Clarissa's next goals with her podcast are to collaborate with other podcasts and hire someone to help with marketing by the end of the year. 
Clarissa’s advice for those who want to start their own business, podcast, or any project is to not be afraid, even if people question what you are doing. Don’t worry about how you will pay for it, or how you will keep up with the work. Just trust that it will get paid for and that you will be able to put in the work. She also says people will gravitate toward you if they see you working hard at something. For instance, Clarissa was able to meet people along the way who wanted to create designs for her, or help her with editing. 
Starting your own business is risky and may be scary at times. There may never be a “right” time to do it, but it is one of those things you just have to start and navigate along the way. Failure is a part of the process and a chance to learn and get better. Like Clarissa said, don’t be afraid; put in the work and stay consistent. 

 Gia Kistner

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understanding your audience

3/5/2023

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       The basic premise of every business is to sell goods and/or services to consumers. In order to be successful and profitable, businesses have to know who their target audience is. This is what makes marketing such an essential component of every company. Marketing is the process of creating and communicating the value of a good or service in order to promote it to the desired market. In other words, marketing is about convincing the right people that what your company is offering is something of value that they need. If the desire for the offering is strong enough, then consumers will buy your product. Capturing the right audience and understanding their preferences is so critical for companies that they will spend hundreds, thousands, millions, and even billions of dollars on market research and advertising.
        Marketing continues to be one of the most popular majors at OSU. According to the U.S. News & World Report, marketing/marketing management was the sixth most declared major amongst undergraduates. A large proportion of you reading this are likely to be marketing majors or minors. With this in mind, I wanted to gain insight from a professional in the field. I interviewed Lesley Horstman, a 2013 OSU alumna. She majored in marketing and was an active member and volunteer committee member in UBWA. 
     Marketing is a multifaceted industry that involves many different elements. Initially after graduation, Lesley began her career in marketing at Kimball Midwest, a distributor of maintenance and repair products. She spent 4 years there doing marketing promotions. This included “product promotions for the sales team, tracking and analyzing promotions, presenting at sales meetings, and collaborating with design teams”. Next, she changed industries and worked for Henry Schein Animal Health (now known as Covertrus), a veterinary distributor. Here the focus was on “blog writing, communicating promotions, designing marketing collateral, social media campaign assistance, and creating personalized homepage banners”. As of 2022, Lesley has worked with Cardinal Health as a “downstream marketing manager for non-acute markets, which is primarily ambulatory surgery centers and physician offices”. Her job entails “designing and updating marketing materials, planning for involvement in industry conferences and trade shows, strategic marketing planning, and engagement with sales teams”. Even though Lesley continued to work in marketing throughout her career, her work and experiences were very different. Marketing is such a broad term that manifests in many different ways. A marketing job at one company is vastly different to a marketing job at another. 
      The differences in all these marketing jobs reflect different priorities for each company. These companies don’t have the same target audiences and markets, so it makes sense that their marketing strategies would differ. Lesley explains that identifying and understanding your target audience is “vital for how you go to market and promote your business”. You have to be in tune with “your consumers’ needs, pain points, and demographics”. You have to get inside the minds of your consumers, so you can “market to them effectively, and in turn serve their needs”. In order to identify your target audience, you need to do market research and analysis. This is done by “looking at data trends and identifying customer personas”. Conducting survey and reporting data is also important to determine consumer preferences. To reiterate the main idea, “you can’t just market your product and services without knowing who you are marketing to. Messaging needs to be tailored to your target audience, so you can reach them effectively”. 
      Marketing is simply one component that plays into the promotion of a product to a target audience. It ultimately ties into a company’s overall brand. Branding and messages need to be not only relevant to your audience but also relatable. The brand should convey “who your business is”. In other words, your brand should “speak to your audience”. Now, obviously, no one expects you to be conducting your own market research or developing a brand as college students; however, being aware and educating yourself on the different aspects of marketing can give you a head start. Lesley found UBWA useful for networking, building connections, and receiving helpful career advice. Use the resources available to you and talk to others. We can all benefit by learning from and educating each other.

hallie szmik

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How to Limit Stress as a Business Student

2/26/2023

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    Although it may seem that everyone you meet in college has different majors, interests, campus involvements, and jobs, there is one thing that every college student has in common– stress. Stress is something that comes along with being a student in college, and if it is not dealt with properly, it can lead to more serious issues and even possible health problems. For these reasons, it is important to find ways to manage and limit stress before it becomes too big of an issue to tackle. I’d also like to note that even though this post is geared toward business students, these tactics are extremely useful and can be applied to any student, regardless of their major. 
    For this post, I interviewed two current UBWA members, Ashley Goldberg and Madelyn Campana. Both women are extremely hard workers and put as much effort as they possibly can into all that they do. I truly have never met individuals who work harder all while having tons of other commitments in their daily lives. Even more impressively, they do it all with smiles on their faces. Because of this, I decided they would be the best people to receive advice from for this topic, as I look up to them and admire how well they are able to juggle all of their commitments and schoolwork. 
     Ashley is a second-year accounting student in the honors program at Ohio State with a minor in women’s gender and sexuality studies. In addition, she was on the Philanthropy Committee last year and is now on the Career Fair Committee for UBWA. With a heavy course load and many outside involvements, including her involvement in the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority as the Chief Financial Officer, it is often difficult to fit everything she wants and needs to do into such a busy schedule. When I asked her what she does to best limit stress, she emphasized time management. She added that “time management is the key to success and a less stressful day”,. To do this, she utilizes the Google Calendar tool to plan out her days and block off times for important events such as exams, sorority events, and other student organization meetings. In addition, another piece of advice she gave is to make sure that students are spending a portion of their day doing something they enjoy, whether that means going to the gym, cooking a meal, or going on a walk. While it is important to get work done, it is also important not to overwork yourself, and by taking time for yourself, you can complete your tasks more efficiently. 
       After meeting with Ashley, I spoke with Madelyn Campana, who is also a second-year student in Fisher, with a specialization in marketing. Maddie is an active member in UBWA as well as a member of the Philanthropy Committee for the Tri Delta sorority. When I asked her about what she does to limit stress, she immediately responded with “staying organized”. She added that “it’s nice that most professors utilize Carmen, so I can keep all my notes compiled on my iPad. The work can be a lot at times, but as long as I stay on top of it, I don’t find myself getting too overwhelmed.” Aside from staying organized with schoolwork, she emphasized taking time for herself and prioritizing her needs. Similar to what Ashley said, Maddie added that “listening to a podcast or simply spending quality time with friends” allows her to unwind and de-stress after a long day. Lastly, she notes that she tries to manage her time to the best of her ability, similar to what Ashley does. However, it is important to remember that “it is something easier said than done, but ensuring that assignments don’t pile up is something that [can keep you] calm.”
    So, next time you are feeling overwhelmed due to schoolwork, a job, or any outside commitment, just remember to take a deep breath. While your work may seem like too much to deal with at the moment, you are always supported, and it will all work out in the end. Taking a quick trip to the gym, listening to music, a podcast, or anything else you enjoy doing for an hour of your day may help more than you realize.

Cassie kobel

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Marketing in the Digital Era

2/19/2023

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The prevalence of marketing in our daily lives may make it difficult to imagine what life looked like before the digital age. Before cell phones, marketing campaigns were limited to modes such as billboards, magazines, newspapers, sales pitches, and radio. With the creation of the internet and social media, the business industry has taken advantage of the necessity of technology to grab the attention of consumers. Marketing has made its reach both more intimate and widespread with information about businesses directly at consumers’ fingertips. Companies now must fight for consumers’ attention on highly saturated platforms, such as TikTok and Instagram. Due to this shift, digital marketing is an increasingly adaptive and reactive facet of business, as it needs to be able to change based on consumer preferences and trends while simultaneously being effective and authentic. According to Forbes, “It’s no longer about the flashiest marketing campaign.” Younger generations want authenticity from brands. Marketing is no longer a one-way communication; consumers expect that their voices are heard and engaged with through social media. 
To hear from someone who deals with these challenges and engages with digital marketing in their career, I reached out to Madison Noel, an Ohio State graduate and former UBWA Vice President of Marketing. Madison currently works for Western Digital, a large technology company that makes and sells data-storing devices in their marketing and sales sector. When asked if digital marketing is slowing down anytime soon, Madison stated,“the continued growth of remote working, as well as the growth of social media, SEO, and mobile apps, will continue to [contribute] to the growth of digital marketing.” Businesses “can get their name out in front of more consumers…they are able to give consumers more touch points for purchases, such as shopping via a mobile app, a website, and in a physical store.” Social media has created a whole new landscape for consumers to buy products, and with this, a greater prevalence of digital communication has emerged. Businesses can target specific consumers much easier with the use of personalized advertisements based on internet activity which increases businesses’ reach and profits. In addition to the industry as a whole expanding, effective trends have shifted. According to Forbes, “It’s no longer about the flashiest marketing campaign.” Younger generations want authenticity from brands. Marketing is no longer a one-way communication; consumers expect that their voices are heard and engaged with through social media. Companies spend thousands of dollars per month to maintain a marketing presence on social media and achieve a transparent image to consumers. 
Since digital marketing is growing substantially, I was curious if Ohio State properly prepares students for this industry. Madison expressed that “if it had not been for my business classes at Fisher and my participation in UBWA, I think I would not have gotten off on the right foot at Western Digital.” In addition to Fisher classes, Ohio State provides a variety of minors that could complement a more global-centric, digital marketing focused career path. From communication technology, journalism, media production and analysis, to psychology, consumer science, business analytics, and foreign languages, OSU offers a plethora of minors Madison personally minored in Fashion and Retail Studies, which has helped her at Western Digital, since they “sell directly to other large businesses and consumers in physical stores such as Staples, Best Buy, etc. By minoring in Fashion & Retail Studies, I was able to learn how the retail space worked and how to navigate it successfully as a business.” 
If the ever-growing presence of technology hasn’t convinced you enough that digital marketing is a crucial aspect of business operations, take Madison’s word for it: “The businesses that learn to navigate the digital marketing world successfully will be able to outlast those businesses that can’t.” Digital marketing proficiency is crucial to the success of businesses and to a career in a marketing profession. Luckily, Ohio State offers an assortment of opportunities to help gain a more digital perspective in a world where technology prevails. ​

lacey jones

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The Transition from College to Postgrad

2/12/2023

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    Coming to college is an exciting time–you have a whole four years to learn, meet new people, have new experiences, and find out more about yourself. Once those four years (or however long it takes) are over, you graduate and enter what many people refer to as the “real world.” A lot of us hear that college is the best four years of your life, and while this could be true for some people, that puts a lot of pressure on us to make college the perfect experience. It can also make graduating seem like a scary thing… because who wants to graduate and leave what is supposed to be the best time of your life?
    To find out more about this topic, I interviewed Kaylee Scarpino, a 2019 Ohio State graduate and UBWA alumni. She was able to give me some insight into life post-graduation and advice for those of us who are still in college. Kaylee was a finance major and had envisioned herself working in a bank as a financial planner or analyst after graduation, but she ended up in a position as a treasury analyst, which she didn’t even know existed. Kaylee told me she was amazed at all of the job options and positions that were truly out there and added that it was hard to even understand what some of the positions were.
    Kaylee wishes she knew about all the job options that existed before graduation. Some advice she has for those of us in college currently is to talk to people to figure out all the job opportunities there are. Another way to find out more about job options is by utilizing the Office of Career Management, which is a great resource we have here at Ohio State. Kaylee says she wishes she took advantage of this and urges anyone in college to try new things and even look into internships that may be outside of your major if it sounds interesting to you. This may not be of interest to everyone, but if you are curious about something outside of your major, then it could be worth looking into. You may find something new you really enjoy!
    One aspect of working a full time job that differs from being a student is that there isn’t always one correct answer to a problem. Kaylee says there’s often more than one way to find a solution and sometimes even more than one solution to whatever problem you are trying to solve. The best way to go about problem solving is evaluating your options and making a decision based on what you think is best, then be able to support why you chose your solution. 
    Another thing Kaylee wishes she had known before working full time is that a lot of learning happens on the job. Not everything you learn in your college classes will be used in your position and you won’t know how to do everything once you leave college. However, Kaylee informed me that there are a lot of people there to support you, and they don’t expect you to know how to do everything. It is important to remember that it is okay to ask for help if you aren’t sure how to do something. 
    Having the weekends off was what Kaylee enjoyed most about transitioning to a full time job because she didn’t have to spend them doing homework or studying. I think this is something all of us can look forward to after graduating. Having the weekends free gives you a chance to take on new hobbies, spend more time with friends and family, or just rest. 
    There will be a lot of changes after you graduate. You will likely have a full time job, you might be living in a new city, and you will have to get accustomed to a new schedule, but it can also be an exciting part of your life. Maybe the best years of your life will be after you graduate. Graduating doesn’t have to be scary. It could actually be a great time for you to grow and learn more about yourself as an individual.

​Gia Kistner

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Working in Corporate Retail

2/5/2023

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    Retail is a large component of the current business world. It involves the selling of goods and services to consumers, as opposed to wholesale where companies sell to other companies. Corporate retail, in particular, involves a single business entity operating multiple store locations that sell direct-to-consumer. According to Statistics, the retail space is a $30 trillion industry that includes over 1 million companies. As retail continues to grow in the modern world, it becomes increasingly likely that many of you will work in the retail industry at some point in your career. 
    With this in mind, I interviewed Autumn Crum, who graduated this past fall with a major in marketing and a minor in art history. During her time in UBWA, she served as vice president of alumni relations and member relations. Since graduating, she has been working for Bath & Body Works as an intern for the Wellness and Aromatherapy merchandising team. Autumn will also start full time there as a Merchant in Training this summer. Her previous work experience in retail is what inspired her to continue pursuing a career in corporate retail. Autumn cites that there is something “so fulfilling [about] seeing a product you’ve worked on for months out on store shelves and delighting customers”. 
    Corporate retail is all about the customer. Companies and their employees must “be responsive to ever changing trends… and the needs of the business”. Working in retail means being able to adapt and overcome obstacles because there are external factors that can affect a business strategy and force you to pivot. Not all projects are going to be carried out in their entirety, and even the ones that are, will often undergo several changes throughout its duration. Autumn, specifically, tries “to go in with an open mind” as she works with design, product development, and inventory to ensure the customers’ satisfaction. Once a product is out on the shelf, it is critical to monitor sales data and collaborate with other teams to gauge how the customers are responding to the product. One way Bath & Body Works likes to do this is by receiving “insights from [their] store associates and customers directly”. Corporate retail is multifaceted and complex, so it takes a lot of teamwork, communication, and planning to ensure the company is able to stick to its timelines.
    As with any other industry, it is important to explore your interests and try to gain hands-on experiences. For Autumn, it was incredibly beneficial to have background experience and knowledge of retail, and she encourages others who have an interest in this industry to physically work in a retail store. Directly putting yourself in the field will give you a better perspective of the store side of retail, which will help you transition to the corporate side. Working first hand with customers will also help you better understand consumer behavior as a whole. Another thing to keep in mind is to network and reach out to people whether on LinkedIn or other platforms. Talking to others about their experiences can help you get a better feel for the industry and help you decide whether or not corporate retail is something you want to pursue. Networking is also important for getting those hands-on experiences and job opportunities. 
    Autumn is super excited about her future in corporate retail, and she has graciously offered to answer questions and help those interested in entering the space! You can reach out to her via email: autumncrum2019@gmail.com.

hallie szmik

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How to Find Your Passion in the Business World

1/29/2023

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       It’s your senior year of college and you’ve already landed yourself a fantastic job for when you graduate. It pays well, has great benefits, and the company values align with yours perfectly. It almost seems too good to be true. There’s just one issue: you don’t know if this is your passion. You don’t see yourself doing this for the rest of your life, but you also don’t know what else you’d see yourself doing, so for now, it seems like the best option, even though you’re in panic mode on the inside. Believe it or not, this happens to many students - and it is completely normal. 
    What many students don’t initially realize is that no one expects them to know exactly what they want to do with their lives at such a young age. In fact, there are plenty of individuals who have worked in the business world for years and are still trying to figure out exactly what their passion is. It’s important to realize that no one expects you to be perfect, and no one expects you to have a plan for your entire life at age 20. 

    To dive deeper into this topic, I recently spoke with Hayley Dougherty and Alli Esker to gain a more knowledgeable and experienced perspective. Both Hayley and Alli are Ohio State alumni, were general members of UBWA, and sat on the executive board their sophomore and junior year. Hayley graduated in 2015 with a major in accounting and now works in real estate and property management. On a slightly different track, Alli graduated in 2020 with a major in finance and now works for Microsoft in professional technical services. Although both individuals went in different directions in figuring out how to go about finding their perfect fit, one thing that Hayley, Alli, and probably most students have in common is that they didn’t - and still don’t - know exactly what is in the cards for them. However, what they do know is how to take steps in the right direction to determine what exactly they are passionate about and ensure that they are doing what makes them happiest. 
    When I spoke to Alli, she gave me a piece of advice that I think is very important to remember: “Having a good interview and resume go far, but having real connections go farther.” The reason I bring this up is because when you are still in an exploratory stage of your career, you want to keep as many options open as possible, and the best way to do that is by forming connections. She also shared that if you’re in a position, give it some time and don’t be too quick to assume you aren’t interested, but if you give it a year and still don’t like it, moving on is perfectly acceptable, because it is important to find something you actually enjoy. Similarly, Hayley added “I’ll ask myself if I could see myself doing it for the next 2-5 years. As long as the answer is yes, then I’m right where I need to be. Maybe I’ll do the same thing for more than 5 years, but at least I gave myself the option to leave and do something new if my interests and goals aren’t the same as what they were years earlier.” 
       Another important concept to grasp is that it’s okay to not know. It’s okay to feel lost, confused, and not have an exact plan. As Hayley explained it, “I know less about my career future today than I did when I was 21, but I’ve learned that it’s not a bad thing to keep an open mind and be willing to change and adjust your course as you go.” As this is such an exploratory stage of life, the key is to “be open to trying and learning new things. You may find a passion in unexpected places. Take classes unrelated to your major. Ask coworkers/leaders from other departments to get coffee with you and tell you about their job. Intern. Volunteer to take on new projects at work, even if they may be a little out of your wheelhouse.” Alli noted another key piece of advice that it “might take a few internships and jobs to actually get to a place where you are finding enjoyment and satisfaction, adding impact and value, and seeing career progress.” Although it may seem stressful to not always know what’s ahead, it’s important to remember to take it day by day, one step at a time, and what’s meant to happen, will happen. 

    Lastly, it is important to remember that your job does not have to be your greatest passion. As Alli worded it, “I am passionate about my job, but I am passionate about so many other things outside of my job.” Hayley agreed and added that it is also okay to be passionate about other aspects within the job. Even if accounting, for example, is not your greatest passion, you’re allowed to be passionate about “ the life that job allows you to live (travel opportunities, work/life balance, opportunities to volunteer, etc.) or the skills the role lets you use.” This will hold true throughout your academic and future career because everyone has a life outside of school and their job. 
      If there is only one piece of advice that you remember after reading this, it should be to find a job that will push you to grow - not only in your role, but as an individual. Don’t do something you don’t love just because it’s easy. Challenge yourself to be the best version of yourself you can possibly be. If you do that, you will succeed. As cliché as it sounds, if you do what you love, you truly will never work a day in your life, so it’s important to find that.

Cassie kobel

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How to find, foster, and flourish a professional menstorship

1/22/2023

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Whether it’s the first day of classes at the start of the semester or the first day at a new job, social tendencies push humans to make connections with others in an effort to ground themselves to the new, unfamiliar environment. Even if all an individual achieves is small talk with the person sitting next to him or her, that relationship evolves from merely a stranger to an acquaintance. The business industry is expansive which can be especially overwhelming to students trying to obtain an internship or job. Networking is essential, but certain circumstances call for a more personal professional relationship: mentoring. 
What is a Mentorship?
A mentorship is a one-on-one relationship between an experienced and less-experienced professional. Unlike networking, an individual and their mentor will have a set goal or need to be met and discussed. The primary intention is to help an individual grow and be guided, rather than to simply foster and maintain a relationship. 
To gain greater insight on the ins and outs of a mentorship, I interviewed Ohio State graduate and former UBWA President, Nicole Balkenbusch. Nicole has an extensive background in Finance and Accounting and currently works in Amazon Customer Service, specifically in Executive Education for Leadership Development. She has exhibited her passion for helping younger business women succeed throughout her time in prominent companies such as Amazon and P&G, as well as her time as an undergrad at OSU. Due to this drive to help others as others have helped her, Nicole has mentored many women and has entailed her advice on how to find, foster, and flourish from a professional mentorship. 
How to Find a Mentor 
The first step in many tasks, including finding a mentor, can feel daunting especially when it comes to speaking to professionals as a student or newly initiated businessperson. To compartmentalize the process, Nicole detailed three methods to finding a mentor she has used during her career: building a spiderweb network, using a company mentoring program, and asking for a referral. 
The spider web is created in a way “where once you meet with someone you click with, you ask to meet again and then ask them for a referral to meet someone new. Over time, you build out your network ‘spider web.’ Nicole advises asking people who have been on a team longer, who have similar experience, or who can give expert advice on a decision. 
A more formal way to find a mentor is through a company program. This can look like small group circles with colleagues, peer mentoring, or the traditional mentor-mentee relationship. At Amazon, Nicole expressed how the company has an online program much like online dating, where employees create a profile either looking for a mentor or mentee. 
The final method is asking for a referral. Nicole stated how “when [she] was new to Amazon and didn’t know many people, [she] asked for referrals from [her] manager, a peer, or former leader.” A simple introductory email from the referral to a potential mentor helps as well, as she stated that she has “hardly ever gotten a ‘no’ answer.” 
Once a potential mentor has been found, one should ask for a brief, 30-minute introductory meeting. The mentee will take time to detail their background and why they are in search of a mentor. Much like an interview for a job, the mentee will have researched prior to this meeting to ensure that the mentor is a good match. Additionally, both individuals should agree upon a specific time commitment, meeting cadence, and goals that are wanting to be met.
The Benefits of Mentorships 
In the short-term, mentorships are beneficial in solving a present need or issue. Nicole  expressed that it is okay to move on or outgrow a mentor once a goal is met. Mentorships can continue past this stage as well. Nicole explained that a mentor “can help you through big life/career decisions, as they’ve seen you grow in your career and can offer advice that’s specific to you, since they really know you as a person. I’m a big believer in having a ‘personal board of directors’ where you have different mentors for different reasons.” Just like friends, different mentors are in your professional sphere for different reasons. Whether it be to have someone to look up to, challenge you, or rather to “have [a] completely opposite experience than you to help you think differently,” it can be highly advantageous to have a “board” of mentors to guide you through your professional career. 
Nicole also expressed how mentorships are not just insightful for the mentee but also the mentor: “I learn just as much from my mentees as they learn from me – I learn about new trends, how younger employees feel about a team or department, so I love investing time in others.” 
Figuring out how to be promoted, finding a different position on a team, or deciding on a substantial work or life decision can all feel difficult. Mentors offer guidance, advice, and a relationship that can make these tasks less daunting. Investing time in others, whether it be through networking or a mentorship, ensures a path towards growth and stronger connections with others. Take it from Nicole: “network early & often: when you need a mentor, sponsor, [or] advocate, it’s often ‘too late’ to get one.”

Lacey Jones

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The Value of Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace

4/24/2022

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Having high emotional intelligence is very beneficial in every aspect of life. Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand your emotions in a positive way in order to enhance your connections with others and feel empathy. Emotional intelligence is an interesting topic because it is so important yet oftentimes overlooked in settings such as the workplace since most people focus on the left-brained information side of work. People get so focused on the actual content of their projects and daily tasks and forget that they need to also grow their relationships with those around them. Because of how overlooked the value of emotional intelligence often is, I explored some ways in which it can be beneficial in the workplace.

I talked to UBWA alumni Madison Shimborske, a strategy analyst for River Financial to see how she values and incorporates emotional intelligence into her job. For her job as an analyst, Madison works part-time in client services and part-time doing product and project work as well as process improvement. Madison explains that River Financial is a start-up company that fosters a very fast-paced environment. “In a fast-paced start-up environment, it is essential to be able to read your coworkers’ emotions and adjust your approach accordingly to be able to reach the best solutions and avoid any potential burnout.” For Madison, it is essential to have high emotional intelligence in her job because of the collaboration with her co-workers and the atmosphere of the smaller start-up that she works for. She also suggests that “there tend to be a lot more emotions involved than I have seen at past, larger companies.” The people that Madison works with are “very passionate about [their] business, so emotion runs high in that environment. 

Emotional intelligence becomes a necessity in the workplace when one values making connections with their co-workers and having seamless collaboration with team members. As Madison puts it, “I’ve seen how crucial it is while working in a start-up environment where your coworkers also happen to be your friends.” Emotional intelligence is important for networking and forming relationships. It is necessary for high-pressure situations in your job where people feel many different emotions and need to figure out how to control them.

Similarly, it allows you to take criticism easier and understand that it is coming from a desire to help you grow as opposed to a way to put you down. It is also important in leadership roles because others look up to you and depend on you to guide them. Madison shares that “you realize the true importance of emotional intelligence once you experience a manager or leader who embodies emotional intelligence.” 

Aside from the workplace, emotional intelligence is just an important trait to have. Having empathy for others and the ability to understand peoples’ situations is very valuable. Madison points out how important it is to be able to create a safe environment for others and to make people feel seen. Without emotional intelligence, people would have a hard time getting along and forming genuine friendships or relationships. Understanding those we work with is crucial to having success in your place of work.

Erin Litzer

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Public Speaking and How to Distinguish Yourself

4/10/2022

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Your business professor tells you that you have an individual presentation assignment to do by next week. It entails you standing in front of your class, speaking and engaging with everyone, for 12-15 minutes. Oh, and let’s say your class is 100 people. What do you do? I don’t know about you, but I’d definitely panic. 
It may seem like everyone else is a natural public speaker, and that they don’t get nervous at all, but that is the furthest thing from the truth. Whether it is in front of 10 people or 100 people, everyone gets afraid to speak publicly, and it is a completely rational fear. The key, however, is to continue practicing with presenting, and fake it until you make it. 

For advice on how to speak like a professional, I recently interviewed Madi Noel, an Ohio State alumni. Madi graduated two years ago and now works at a company called Western Digital, which is a large data technology company. As a marketing major during her time here at Ohio State, Madi jumped into the world of public speaking early on. In marketing, you have to know how to strategically speak to a group of people in order to represent your product and persuade them to buy it. However, having to learn these skills throughout her career at Ohio State was a critical step to becoming prepared to work in the real world. 

When I interviewed Madi, the first thing I asked her, to no surprise, was if she enjoys speaking publicly. Although she replied that she “used to not be a huge fan,” she added that she now has a different perspective. After doing it so frequently, it gets easier and easier to get the hang of, and you learn to appreciate yourself for doing it. She added that “it’s a great way to show knowledge about something and feel confident about yourself,” which could not be more true. After you finish presenting, you feel relieved and powerful, like you can take on anything else that comes your way, and I think most people can relate to this feeling. 

To dive deeper into this topic of public speaking, I asked Madi how, once you have the basics down, to take your presentation one step further and really make it stand out in comparison to others who may be presenting on similar topics. First, she mentioned that visuals, which can include graphs, photos, videos, and anything else that will catch the eye of the audience, are key when presenting. Another helpful tip is that you should not just have paragraphs of text listed on the screen. Instead, include a few important words, and leave the rest to explain to the audience, making sure to pause and engage with the audience while presenting. Even small actions like polling the audience or asking them to vote can help make the presentation more interesting and seem less like a boring lecture, especially if you can tell that the audience seems unintrigued. 

Lastly, Madi left me with a few pieces of advice that I’d like to share in hopes of making you feel better about your next presentation. Even though presenting in front of people can be nerve wracking, “practice is key.” In addition, she noted that by doing research and really becoming an expert on what you’re presenting, you will instantly “feel more confident,” because you’re sharing your knowledge in whatever it is that you are speaking about. She concluded with “You’re the expert, and that’s the leverage you have in a presentation.” So, next time you have a presentation and begin to worry, take these notes into consideration, and I guarantee you will feel much less stressed. 

Cassie Kobel

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Are business Courses actually useful?

3/27/2022

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Here at Ohio State, business students studying at Fisher College of Business can all bond over the shared experience that is business core classes. All OSU business students must take these classes in order to become a well-rounded professional in the corporate world. This week, I asked UBWA members Morgan Sousa, Adriana Mendoza Vargas, and Katarina Ifantis what is one impactful business class you’ve taken and how has it prepared you for the business world? Whether you’re a first-year trying to plan next year’s schedule or a junior trying to get through these last five weeks, their insightful responses should provide some inspiration. 

Morgan Sousa is a second-year finance major. This is her first year in UBWA. One of her favorite UBWA memories was going on the thrifting trip at the beginning of the year. “I met many awesome people then and immediately felt welcomed into UBWA,” says Morgan. Two classes that helped prepare Morgan for her future career in finance were Introduction to Accounting I and II (ACCTMIS 2200 and 2300). Taking accounting provided Morgan with relevant skills and information for the business world. As Morgan states, “Accounting became a subject I enjoy and it opened up more paths of interest for me after college.” Even if you’re not a finance or accounting major, Introduction to Accounting can help you develop analytic skills and give you a greater understanding of the financial reporting all businesses must do.
Similarly, Business Skills and Environment (BUSMHR 2292) is an impactful course for students across specializations. Adriana Mendoza Vargas is a second-year logistics major with a minor in Spanish for business. She has been a member of UBWA since her freshman year. One thing Adriana enjoys about UBWA is the opportunity to connect with and support her fellow women in business. Her favorite UBWA memory was painting tote bags and getting to meet new people at the recent cozy meeting. 

Adriana would say BUSMHR 2292 was her most impactful class because of its real-world application. Knowing that the work she did in class would prepare her for the future, made the class more enjoyable. In addition the ongoing group work and discussion-based nature of the class, “forced me to come out of my shell a bit more and force myself to talk in class and with people outside of class”, says Adriana. Impactful classes go beyond transferring information into boosting student confidence and preparing them for the future. 
Katarina Ifantis is a second-year finance major. She joined UBWA at the beginning of this year. One of her favorite UBWA experiences was preparing for the career fair during Business Boot Camp. As Katarina states, “It was one of the first times I really experienced the association as a community of supportive women that want to help each other above anything else.” Katarina also found BUSMHR 2292 to be one the most impactful business classes that she’s taken. One reason for this is that BUSMHR 2292 helped her to become more confident. According to Katarina, “I learned so much about the value of my voice in the work environment and how to use it to the best of my abilities.” In a business world where women’s voices too often go unheard, learning how to speak up is a game changer. 
​

While we may feel far away from our future goals, rest assured that the work you do today is helping you prepare for tomorrow. Don’t forget to appreciate all the ways you’ve learned and grown this year, whether you’ve become a better communicator or finally figured out the difference between assets and liabilities. Though business classes may be difficult, they’re hopefully preparing us for a future we might not yet realize.

Allie Caldwell

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Developing a global mindset

3/20/2022

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 The desire to travel, see the world, and experience new cultures is a very common dream and aspiration among people throughout the globe. Instead of feeling content with staying in one place, there is a yearning for more. I would know, because I am one of these people that have this extreme wanderlust. A dream I have had since I was young was to visit a foreign country and experience the different lifestyles of people unlike me. Once I found out I had the chance to visit Italy for a short trip during the summer, I knew I had to jump on it. Through the Fisher Global Immersion Program, I will be visiting Italy for 8 days in May. During these 8 days, our group will be visiting multiple large companies throughout Italy to learn about their inner workings. While my excitement is running rampant, I, of course, also have a healthy amount of nervousness. How do I adjust to the new culture? What are the differences in etiquette between Italian companies versus American ones? Will there be a language barrier? And overall, how do I develop a global mindset?

Before going to Italy, I have to answer the question of how to adjust to the new culture gracefully. Since our group will be representing Ohio State as we visit these companies, I knew I should have a better understanding of a global mindset. To gain more knowledge on the subject, I reached out to Beth Blue, the founder of UBWA and a 2003 alumni of OSU. Beth has an extensive and impressive career in business, and more specifically, finance. Beth began her career at Procter & Gamble in Cincinnati, where she spent 8 years in 5 different positions. Two of those years were spent in Minneapolis, where she explains that she was “first bitten by the relocation bug”. After leaving Procter & Gamble, Beth next worked for Cardinal Health in 6 different roles in 9 years. For 3 of those years, Beth worked as an expat in Zurich, Switzerland. She is now the Finance Director of Global Consumer Payments at Amazon as of 2021 and is currently living in Seattle, Washington.


The decision to work abroad is significant and is often met with apprehension. When I asked Beth if she had planned to become an expat or whether it was spontaneous, she answered that it was a mix of both. Being so spontaneous can be intimidating, but Beth explained that “...the
most exciting opportunities in life are unexpected, so while I generally know what I want (goals, values, etc.) I don’t plan every step”.


Another aspect to consider is the culture shock of living and working in an entirely new place; it can be difficult to adjust. Beth explained that one way she was able to adjust was to live in an area that was made up of around 25% of other expats. This helped her surround herself with people who she could relate to. Beth added, “
We also took a culture class, which was very helpful.  A teacher came to our apartment and helped us understand Swiss culture (and those rules) and how it differs from American culture”. One of Beth’s last suggestions was to read books about how different cultures work professionally. One that she suggested was “The Culture Map: Decoding How People Think, Lead, and Get Things Done Across Cultures”. 
  

Aside from the general differences in cultures between countries, there are also differences in company cultures. Although Beth was still working for an American company while she was in Switzerland, there were differences that she noted. She stated that, “
one general difference between working in Europe and the US is that time was taken at the beginning of each meeting to formally greet one another, shake hands, kiss cheeks, and celebrate that we were together before getting to the formal agenda”. This is an example of being able to adjust from the “get-to-the-point” American way of business compared to the way many other countries first build relationships. In addition to the differences in professionalism, one also must adjust to working in such a diverse team. Beth suggested “We need to respect the individuality that each and every person brings to a team, as a diverse team simply delivers better results”.


My last question for Beth, and one of the most important, was what her main piece of advice for developing a global mindset was. The overarching theme that Beth encouraged was simply to embrace each experience and to learn from it. Beth stated “With every role you take, you will learn a new aspect of business, and with every team you are a part of, you will need to flex to a new organizational culture”. Beth recommends accommodating international colleagues, such as thinking about the time differences and remembering non-American holidays. Welcome diversity and new experiences.


Beth left me with a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt that I would like to share:


​“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.”

Lea Dunn

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5 Tips for a Great Cover Letter

3/13/2022

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For many of us, now is the season of applying for summer internships or our first job after graduation. Applying for these positions can be stressful, especially if you have never applied for a professional internship before and don’t feel you have a lot to put on your resumé. On top of that, many jobs require you to submit a cover letter with the application. When I was first applying to internships my sophomore year, I had no idea how to even start writing a cover letter. Now I have written quite a few and I want to share with you all some tips on writing a really great, professional cover letter. I asked fellow UBWA junior, Lauren Zeck, to share some advice as well.I have compiled all of this into 5 tips for a great cover letter.

Tip #1: Start Strong
Lauren’s first word of advice is to “write a good hook that catches their attention and sets you apart from the beginning.” Recruiters have to read through an entire stack of cover letters, so having a first sentence that stands out will make them want to keep reading. Lauren also suggests that your “first sentence mentions how excited or interested you are in the position.” The company you apply to wants you to be excited about working for them. Don’t tell them that you are applying simply for the experience or because you think you have to have an internship. Even if you aren’t entirely convinced this job will be a good fit for you, find at least one reason you might like it. For example, you can talk about how you enjoy the company’s values or mission statement. Or if the position is somehow related to your hobbies, mention that. I am a film studies minor and have written a few cover letters for marketing jobs in the entertainment industry, so my first sentences usually tell the recruiters that I am extremely passionate about the industry and am excited to learn more about it. 

Tip #2: Relate back to your experience
For the body of your cover letter, it is important that you show the recruiters why you would be a good choice. Lauren explains that you should “be specific about what past experiences you’ve had that you could apply to this specific role.” Let them know that you are capable and that you have some knowledge of the kind of work you will be doing. This is where you can cite some of your past jobs/internships if you have had any. If you haven’t, don’t worry. You can talk about student organizations you are involved with or community service opportunities you have had. Think of this as the evidence backing your claim in an essay. 

Tip #3: Show your personality
Let’s be honest: Resumés are boring. They are a great, concise way to show all of your achievements, but they are just words thrown onto paper. Your successes and work experience are not the only things recruiters want to know about you. They care a lot about what your personality is like and how you view yourself. Therefore, as Lauren advises, “don’t focus too much on using professional ‘business-y’ language.” The cover letter should be a way to showcase how friendly and approachable you are. Definitely keep the cover letter serious and avoid using slang words, but don’t be afraid to add some personality to it. 

Tip #4: Stray away from the Resumé
As we all know, a resumé should be one page of your most recent and impressive achievements. The recruiters have already read your resumé, so tell them some things they don’t know about you yet in your cover letter. You can go into detail about your favorite work experiences, talk about other opportunities that didn’t fit on the one-page resumé, or show how you translate your professional skills into other parts of life. Lauren also adds that “it is important to relate your experiences to the company.” It is helpful to look at things from the company’s point of view and consider what they will find most interesting about you that they don’t already know from your resumé.

Tip #5: Keep it simple
Recruiters don’t want to read a book about your life. You should highlight the most important things that you think they should know about you. Make sure to keep the whole letter one page or less. Lauren’s tip for ending the letter is to “thank the hiring manager for the opportunity to apply, and finish off with a final statement of why you would be a great addition to their company.” This is a great way to end your cover letter, as it shows both respect and gives them an incentive to hire you. 

Hopefully, these 5 tips will help you feel more confident about your cover letters. If you have any questions about this topic or want to talk to me more about writing a cover letter, you can reach out to me at Litzler.7@osu.edu. Also, thank you to Lauren Zeck for sharing some great advice that helped me write this post. ​

Erin Litzler

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​How Does Engaging in Philanthropic Activity Benefit Business?

2/27/2022

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When I hear the word “philanthropy”, for whatever reason, I instantly think of famous people who create charities or donate large sums of money to a cause. However, that is not the only way to define philanthropy. Throughout the world, regardless of age or socioeconomic status, many people find ways to give back to their communities and volunteer to help a greater cause. Whether these actions or donations are large or small, they have an enormous impact on people in need. According to the Glossary of Philanthropic Terms, philanthropic activity is technically defined as any charitable act or other good work, such as volunteering your time or efforts to help others or contribute to the overall well-being of society. So, even though people like Bill Gates and Warren Buffett make immense philanthropic contributions, so do everyday people like me and you. 

I recently interviewed Lily DeOliveira and Ashley Goldberg, who are both currently freshmen here at Ohio State. Since they are both business majors who also happen to be on the Philanthropy Committee for UBWA, I thought they would be the perfect people to give more insight on this topic and explain how beneficial philanthropy really is. 

When I first asked them why they joined the philanthropy committee in the first place, they both had similar responses. “I wanted to try something new and become part of a bigger community, and I knew I could do that by joining UBWA and then becoming part of this smaller committee”, Lily expressed. Ashley and Lily also shared that although they have only been on the committee for a few months now, they have already participated in and planned numerous events, allowing them to really get a feel of what it is like to have this important position. Some highlights of events include the second annual Gala x Bricc Foundation, which both girls said is “by far” their “favorite event to have been able to help plan this entire year”. Lily also added that she is “super excited for this event, as we have spent so much time planning it and we can’t wait to see all of our hard work finally pay off”. They informed me that in the “near future”, they will be “helping to coach girls in the Columbus area through the Girls on the Run program”, which empowers young girls and helps them feel comfortable in the world around them. It is clear that this committee is trying to help as many different people as possible, and I commend them for all of their hard work. 

As I dove deeper into this topic, I wanted to find out how planning events like the ones previously mentioned would help with their future goals and aspirations. One response that I got was from Ashley, who said, “even if my line of work doesn’t directly do philanthropy, that doesn’t mean that I can’t do it on my own. Being part of a greater good now is exciting because I truly enjoy giving back to my community, and if I want to pursue that later in life, I may as well get a head start now so I can see which organizations I connect with the most”. In my opinion, this could not be more true. If you find a charity that you’re passionate about, you may as well start helping at an early age. 

The answer that many people would have when asked about the connection between philanthropy and business would have to do with large businesses donating to charities or having their own philanthropies that they sponsor. Lily noted that “many businesses do philanthropic work to give back to the community that allowed them to become so prosperous in the first place”. What many people don’t realize, however, is that there is actually a correlation between philanthropy and business, and they really do go hand in hand. Ashley made the point that “when planning the gala, there were many business aspects that we had to take into account, such as marketing and finance”. For example, they had to plan the gala, find a venue, and then market and advertise for the event to make it appealing to go to. Financially, they had to determine how much money they had to plan the event and how much they could afford to spend. For these reasons, philanthropic activities serve to be extremely beneficial for businesses to take part in. 

So, when given the opportunity to try something new, such as going to a charity event or volunteering in your local food shelter, do it, because the help is always needed and greatly appreciated. Lily said that if she could give advice to anyone, especially regarding the philanthropy committee, she would say to “sign up, be willing to try new things, take risks, and most importantly, go out of your comfort zone. Ashley and I just applied to this committee as freshmen, not knowing much about it, but we wanted to get involved, so we did. Against all odds, we both got a position, and I could not be more grateful for the experiences and lessons I’ve learned."

cassie Kobel

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Communicating with Companies as a Student

2/13/2022

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Does talking to business professionals make you nervous? Do you triple-check your emails before hitting send? Communicating with professionals as a student can be nerve-wracking. Fortunately, you’re not alone. Current UBWA executives Gretchen Stommel and Kelly Lao have faced the challenges of working with professionals as a student. Through their internship experiences, they’ve learned a lot about office communication, networking, and representing a company to clients. Both women shared some great advice for putting your best foot forward.

Gretchen Stommel is a second-year Finance major with a minor in Computer & Information Science. She serves as Vice President of Professional Development. This year, she led Business Bootcamp, a 6-week professional development course. Her favorite UBWA memory was hanging-out with members at the UBWA tailgate. This past summer, Gretchen worked at Hyland Software as a Project Management Intern in the office of global excellence.

Through her internship at Hyland Software, Gretchen learned a lot about communication and expectations in an office setting. Some of her biggest takeaways were to “never [be] afraid to ask questions (think of how honored you feel when someone wants your expertise!), always ask what abbreviations and acronyms mean, and do your best to figure out what warrants an email versus an instant message in the company.” While we learn about professionalism in our business core classes, it can be difficult to put these principles to practice until you’re in the business environment. One major advantage of internships is gaining first-hand experience pertaining to office norms and professional communication. 

Kelly Lao is a third-year Marketing major with minors in Media Production and Analysis & Music, Media, and Enterprise. She serves as Vice President of Programming. Her favorite UBWA memory was wearing PJ’s, eating snacks, and hearing about the important women in members’ lives during a special Women’s Week internal meeting. She’s passionate about Social Media and Event Planning. She loves to see her projects “make a positive impact on people’s lives - bringing them excitement and happiness.” The summer of her freshman year, Kelly interned at Degy Entertainment as a Virtual Event intern. As part of her internship, Kelly was responsible for coordinating with large buyers, clients, and artists. As Kelly states, “I was extremely nervous to be working alongside high-impact, high-profile people as I haven’t done it before.” Representing a company to prospective clients can take the challenge of communicating with professionals to another level. Kelly explains that giving tours to buyers and clients, “became natural to me as I knew what I was doing through hours and hours of practice.” According to Kelly, practice is key to feeling confident when working with professionals. 

Both Gretchen and Kelly had some great advice about putting your best foot forward when connecting with business professionals. As Gretchen explains, “People often don’t remember specific details but rather how you made them feel and therefore providing a sense of professionalism can leave a better ‘taste’.” Professionalism is more than just knowing whether to wear a button-down or a suit. Professionalism is about conducting yourself in a way that shows respect for others and the task at hand.
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One way to show respect is to take an interest in the people you meet while networking. As Kelly recommends, “Treat them as a potential long-lasting relationship rather than just a tool for success.” Asking professionals about their life outside of business can make networking more fun and help you make better connections. While communicating with professionals as a student can seem daunting, the best way to become a confident communicator is through experience. So don’t be afraid to introduce yourself or send that email; after all, professionals were once students too.

Allie Caldwell

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First Generation COllege Students in Business

2/6/2022

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As college students, many of us see our peers and fellow students as just that: other students. We often don’t think about their backgrounds or demographics, whether that be where they are from, what their household income is, or if they are the first in their families to attend college. However, there is a likely chance that many of the students surrounding you are actually first-generation college students. In fact, 35% of all undergraduate students are first-generation!

The Postsecondary National Policy Institute (PNPI) defines a “first-generation” college student as one whose parents never obtained a Bachelor’s Degree. While this may seem like an insignificant characteristic to some people, it can be an important part of a first-generation college student’s identity. What is not often realized by others are the struggles and obstacles that first-generation students face to fulfill their dreams of earning a college degree. To dive deeper into the life of a first-generation student, I interviewed UBWA’s Vice President of Member Relations, Autumn Crum, who is a third-year marketing student minoring in history of art here at OSU. Autumn noted the struggles she had while applying for college due to the fact that she didn’t have many people to turn to for help. “When it came to applications, scholarships, and even filling out the FAFSA, it was something I had to navigate alone,” Autumn stated. This lack of guidance can be discouraging for incoming college students. Pertaining particularly to the business world, Autumn mentioned the difficulties as a first-generation college student in business, such as not knowing exactly what the corporate world entails. “... I didn’t have a parent, relative, or family friend that worked a corporate job that I could connect with,” she revealed. 

Whereas other students may believe attending college is a given in their academic/career path, it can take a lot of courage for first-generation college students to make the decision to attend. It can be scary, uncomfortable, and intimidating, especially when there is not a strong support system to guide you. For first-generation students, finding a legitimate source for advice can be a challenge. Autumn stated that her sister, Katie, is the person she turns to in these situations. “Katie has always been such a great supporter of me and has pushed me when I feel discouraged about myself,” she says. Finding your support system, whether that be siblings, professors, or friends, is important for first-generation college students. When I asked Autumn what her main piece of advice was for other young first-generation businesswomen, this is what she recommended most: “I would suggest if you are struggling or confused about college or future careers, find a network of support”. Sometimes, you need that little extra push when you are feeling disheartened, which is where your mentors or close friends can play an important role. 

Autumn emphasized the value of putting yourself out there in college. This can sound intimidating or frightening, but it’s what makes you a better student and businesswoman. As a first-generation student, it can be frightening to speak up or try something new. Attending college can mean moving out of your comfort zone for many people. So how can you move outside of your comfortability even more? Autumn stated “College is the best time in your life to take risks, try new things, and meet new people”. She also looked back on the time that she participated in a case competition through UBWA and noted that it was intimidating, but it ultimately gave her confidence and practice. 

As if college life isn’t hard enough, first-generation students walk into this new period of their life blindly. However, through these struggles, they show perseverance, strength, and determination. Some of the hardest years of your life can also be the best. I wanted to highlight Autumn’s parting words, which I found inspiring:
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“Don’t be afraid, do the things you’re intimidated by, and you’ll learn so much about yourself along the way."

Lea Dunn

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Women in Business Challenge: Fear of Failure

1/30/2022

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Have you ever been in a situation where you didn’t take a risk because you were afraid of failing? I know I have more times than I can even remember. What if you walk into a job interview and don’t express your true self because you’re afraid you won’t be accepted for who you are? Now, let me ask you this: what if you walk into that same job interview, show the interviewer who you are and are fearless, and instantly get the job? Think about the what if’s. What if you succeed? If you don’t take the risk, you’ll never know how great the reward could be.
Many women in business struggle with this challenge, as it can feel especially difficult to voice their opinions in a field where males still tend to dominate, especially in higher level positions. Data from a recent McKinsey survey shows that as ranks get higher in organizations, the number of women dwindles. There were a total of 325,000 women in entry-level positions, and only 7,000 of those women actually made it to vice president, senior vice president, or CEO. As women, we must stick together and prove that we can be the face of business. It is our duty to change these statistics and stop outdated social norms from getting in our way. 
I recently interviewed Sarah Burger, an Ohio State graduate who majored in Finance, and the former President of UBWA. Now, she works for General Motors in Michigan, which is a job that she actually was able to receive because of her position in the club. Even someone with as powerful of a role as Sarah had in UBWA can struggle with taking risks and being afraid of failure, because it is a scary concept. 

Although she generally does not like taking risks, as she frequently overanalyzes most of her decisions, Sarah made a very good point that I also think is very relatable to most people. She said “some of my best memories and proudest accomplishments happened when I took a risk”. For example, accepting her job offer at General Motors meant that she would have to move all the way to Michigan from her hometown in the suburbs of Chicago. However, she “decided to take the risk because nothing is permanent'', and if she hadn’t taken the risk and given it a chance, she would’ve regretted it. It is important for women to recognize risk taking as an opportunity for growth, because you won’t be able to prove what you’re capable of until you decide to take that leap and do something out of your comfort zone. 


Failure is something that haunts most people and makes them think poorly about themselves when they have no reason to. Almost everyone has had an experience with an exam that they didn’t do as well on as they hoped for, but no one gives up after just one exam. Failing is part of life. Everybody experiences it at some point, whether it is big or small, and it is the only way to truly learn. Sarah adds, “The funny thing is that after a couple weeks and definitely after a couple months, I completely forget about the failure and so do the people around me. You will always judge yourself so much more than the people around you and that's definitely what happens after a failure”. Other people rarely even notice, and when they do, they move on. “It can be really easy to think that your co-workers have it all together but that is far from the truth. At the end of the day, we're all just humans trying to do the best we possibly can at our jobs which will definitely include some failures along the way”, notes Sarah. Especially in the workplace, people hold themselves up to an unattainable standard that doesn’t even exist. The truth is that no one is perfect and everyone makes their fair share of mistakes. 
Lastly, do something you enjoy. Choose a job because it inspires you to work harder and take risks, even if it means you might have to move halfway across the country. Sarah said that if she could give any advice to college students, it would be to “make sure that you choose a company that you're personally excited about. Else, you're going to lose motivation to do your job really quickly.” 

I truly believe that “Empowered Women, Empower Women” should not only be a motto in UBWA, but a mindset for every member. Like Sarah said, “as women, we need to be the ones lifting other women up, especially when they experience failure. We need to be the ones cheering on women when they're taking risks.” In my opinion, as long as we take these steps and never let anyone get in our way, we will flourish. And remember, just like Hannah Montana once said, “nobody’s perfect, everybody makes mistakes, everybody has those days”. 

Cassie Kobel

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Company Culture

1/23/2022

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You may know exactly what you want your future job to be, but have you thought about what workplace setting you might prefer? We often think of our future careers in terms of job title or specialization. However, company culture can have a significant impact on your day-to-day role. To better understand company culture, I reached out to two UBWA alumni, Hayley Dougherty and Morgan West. While both work as accountants, they operate in two very different workplaces. Hayley has experience in the public accounting and restaurant industries, specifically, Bibibop and Chipotle. Morgan has experience working at a non-profit higher education institution, namely THE Ohio State University.

Hayley Dougherty graduated from OSU in 2015 with a BSBA in accounting. During her four years in UBWA, Hayley served as the VP of Programming and President of UBWA. Her involvement gave her a chance to develop her leadership skills, learn about different career paths, and meet some of her closest friends. Hayley spent three years in public accounting audit before working in the fast-casual dining industry. She is currently a Senior Financial Accountant at Chipotle. 


Hayley would describe the company cultures at Chipotle and Bibibop as casual and adaptable. One reason for this is because the companies were founded more recently. According to Hayley, “When a company doesn’t have 100 years of history and tradition to lean on, it develops a culture and identity reflective of the time and the initial leaders, and is also more able and willing to pivot and make changes.” One way these companies have embraced change is by focusing on employee satisfaction and well-being. For example, allowing flex time and a more relaxed work environment. As Hayley states, “Chipotle specifically does an outstanding job of not just saying ‘take care of yourself’ but also backing it up.” Additionally, younger companies are more likely to prioritize values such as DE&I and mental health. 


In contrast to the restaurant industry, Hayley describes public accounting as more formal and regulation-based. This difference is due to the client-facing nature of public accounting firms. “That’s not to say that public [accounting] doesn’t do happy hours or casual Fridays, but being that it’s client service, the goal is to always present the most polished and professional experience to clients,” says Hayley. The goals of internal accounting, such as accounting for a restaurant, and public accounting also differ significantly.  Internal accounting focuses on analyzing data for use within a company. As Hayley explains, “when dealing with internal data, there is always a focus on finding new, better, more creative ways to do business and get more accurate information.” Conversely, public accounting firms focus on external accounting, providing information to third parties. As such, external accounting tends to have set procedures and regulations.


Morgan West graduated in 2017 with a BSBA in accounting and minors in Legal Foundations of Society (Law) and Economics. Morgan joined UBWA as a freshman and served on the Buckeyethon Committee and as VP of Member Relations. Through UBWA, Morgan was able to connect with other business majors and support pediatric cancer research. Morgan began her career at Ohio State as a student in the Accounts Payable department of the Office of Sponsored Programs. She is currently a Senior Accountant in the Grants Accounting department of the OSP. 


Morgan has many good things to say about working at the Ohio State University. According to Morgan, “Ohio State cares about their employees well-being and strives for employees to be the best version of themselves.” The university offers many employee benefits including free tuition, health and wellness training, and mental health days. Morgan describes her team’s culture as supportive and inclusive. As Morgan states, “In the area I work in, there is a great sense of pride since we are assisting researchers in solving the world’s biggest problems like COVID-19, cancer, energy, etc.” Above all, Morgan finds working for a non-profit institution rewarding because the primary goal is making the world a better place.


​Both alumni shared some excellent advice for undergraduate businesswomen on finding the right job fit. First, be open to trying things outside your major and talk to others about their careers. As Morgan says, “You won’t know if it’s right for you unless you give it a chance.” Second, focus on finding the right job fit for your goals, personality, and values. As Hayley illustrates, “It can be similar to dating and relationships: someone can be a good person but not be right for you if your values and goals don’t align.” When searching for the right workplace, it helps to know what is truly important to you. Hayley recommends identifying your “three absolutes you have to have.” Lastly, remember that no company culture is perfect, but don’t be afraid to leave if you realize it’s not the right job for you. 

Allie Caldwell

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Women Out West: Businesswomen's Life on the West Coast

1/16/2022

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Imagine this: it’s 5 o'clock on a Friday, and you are about to leave work. You look out your office window and take in the spectacular view of blue skies and palm trees. You hear waves crashing on the beach. After work, you have plans to surf with friends and then grab dinner at a little restaurant on the beach. While this scene may sound like fantasy, it is reality for some businesswomen who live and work on the West coast. Ashley Urbansky and Madison Shimborske, two OSU and UBWA alumni can attest to the challenges and rewards of life out West.

Madison is a 2021 OSU graduate with a major in Information Systems and a minor in Studio Art. After graduation, she moved to San Francisco to take a role as a Strategy Analyst with River Financial, a Bitcoin financial services start-up. When I asked Madison what made a Midwest girl decide to move to the West coast, she said it was unplanned and that she happened to find the position online. Madison said her takeaway from this experience is that you should “…always look into the opportunities that are literally just placed in front of you. And don’t ever discount an opportunity.”

Ashley is a 2012 OSU graduate with a major in Marketing and a minor in Psychology. Ashley decided to make the move to California after a trip with her husband; she fell in love with the laid-back environment of the area. Since moving to California, Ashley has worked in multiple different roles. She has also worked in many settings, ranging from large corporations to smaller start-ups (where she has worked in some of her favorite roles so far). She is currently the Director of Demand Generation at a company called Emerged Inc, which is a sales platform for healthcare companies.

Both women highlighted the joys and difficulties of life on the West Coast. One major aspect that attracted Ashley and Madison was the culture of the West Coast. “The environment is more about enjoying your life out here,” Ashley claimed. She also mentioned how the business industry itself was more appealing to her. She noted the diversity, innovation, and growth opportunities for start-ups as some of the most intriguing features of the industry in California. Madison was on the same page and stated, “The energy of working in San Francisco, especially at a startup is so much different than Ohio. It’s fast-paced, it’s exciting, it’s exhausting.”
As for the challenges, both women mentioned the high living costs and the distance from family and friends back in the Midwest. “The west coast (San Francisco specifically) is very expensive, so I’m not sure I would’ve gone had my company not paid for it,” Madison stated. However, both women agreed that the benefits of new career opportunities, new friends, and new experiences, in general, outweighed the hardships.

One of the main reasons I chose to interview Ashley and Madison was to hear their advice on how to start the overwhelming journey of moving out West. One reoccurring statement I heard was that it is scary at first. Madison stated, “Don’t be afraid to take a chance or try something new. It’s okay (and good!) to be out of your comfort zone. And if you move to the West coast you definitely will be.” As for the business aspect, both businesswomen communicated the importance of being flexible. Don't only expect to work for a Fortune 500 company and don’t only expect to work for start-ups. Take opportunities, even if it diverges from your original plan. As for how to get your foot in the door of a West coast company as a Midwest native, make sure you are willing to work from home if needed but also willing to relocate. “Position yourself on your resume to say when you are relocating, as well as your work-from-home preferences," Ashley recommends.

Lastly, I want to include something that Madison said that stuck with me:

“If you go out there and it’s not for you, guess what? That’s okay! It’s not the end of the world. It’s never too late to change your path if it’s not what’s meant for you.”

Take the chance.

Lea Dunn

Editor: Allie Caldwell
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Obtaining A business Degree to work in the entertainment industry

1/9/2022

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The entertainment industry is a rapidly growing, extremely competitive industry to work in. It contains so many types of jobs, and can prove to be both gratifying and lucrative. I am constantly reading and watching interviews about people in the entertainment industry who have benefited from their business degrees, or who wished they went to school for business. This caught my attention, especially because I myself am working towards a business degree and plan to work in the entertainment industry. I reached out to two current UBWA members, Delaney Hoye and Sofie Clough, to further discuss why so many future entertainment industry workers are pursuing business degrees and the benefits of understanding the business world when working in this artful industry.

To begin, I want to share a little bit about Delaney and Sofie and why they are pursuing business degrees to work in entertainment. Hopefully this can provide some insight on what circumstances indicate a good reason to study business. Delaney is majoring in Marketing and minoring in Media Production. With this degree, she wants to work for a large company such as Disney’s Marvel Studios and work for their marketing and promotional team. Delany has a passion for production and hands-on work, so her goal is to incorporate her editing and production skills into a marketing position. She added that marketing is “
such a broad topic and you can utilize it for many different career paths.” This is important to note as it can be difficult to break into this industry. With her business degree, Delaney is able to have a back-up plan and be more flexible with the types of jobs she can work. 

    
Sofie, a marketing major, has a passion for music, which is why she has also taken on a minor in Music, Media, and Enterprise. In a perfect world, Sofie wants to be a tour manager for live shows and travel the world. Her main reason for majoring in business is to have “a broader foundation of knowledge to work off of.” Similarly to Delaney, Sofie understands how competitive this line of work is, and she also doesn’t want to tie herself down to only one possible future. As a marketing major, Sofie is glad to have more career choices ahead of her, but she is still able to work towards her goal by minoring in something more specific to the music industry. 

I asked both Delaney and Sofie why they chose a business degree as opposed to one in music or film. They both answered in a similar way. A business degree provides broader opportunities and skills that an arts degree can not promise. Understanding what contracts you are signing, and what deals you are making is an integral part to surviving in the entertainment industry. Sofie explains, “my
passion is for the live entertainment piece of the music industry rather than the creation of music and thus I did not feel like understanding the theories and other knowledge behind music would be as beneficial to me as a business degree.” Sofie makes an important distinction between the artist and those who support and work with the artist. Both of these roles are major moving pieces in entertainment, but Sofie explains that those who are working with the artist benefit greatly from a business degree. This includes managers, marketers, producers, etc. These are the people that take the art, give it a platform, and help it be consumed by mass amounts of people. 


For the artist, it seems more beneficial to pursue a degree in music theory, or theater/film in order to perfect their craft. However, that doesn’t mean a business background would not help them succeed. Sofie talks about how small creators often have to promote their own work. Understanding advertising and finance can be really helpful to these up-and-coming artists. Delaney agrees that anyone who wants to work in this industry will be better off with knowing the tricks and trades of the business world. She notes, “no matter where you work, business plays a large role.”

The biggest reason why a good business foundation is crucial to the entertainment industry is because both industries are interconnected. Sofie explains that “
understanding the current consumer markets is at least 80% of the entertainment industry and therefore having some knowledge of how to interpret and predict these markets will really take you far in this industry.” Understanding what the consumers want is the foundation of entertainment. If you are writing a script for a superhero blockbuster film, you need to think about what the viewers want to see, and write powerful scenes that make people want to come back and watch the film again. As a music producer, you need to look at trends and figure out if a dance pop song is going to hit the charts, or if you should be shifting towards rap in order to grow your listeners.


According to Delaney, “you need to understand what audiences are looking for and how you can offer it to them.” This is the foundation of what we, as business majors, learn in our marketing classes. It is important to be able to hold your own in this stressful industry and figure out what works and what doesn’t. The strategies you can learn in a business program can give a competitive edge to knowing what is going to turn a profit, what is going to garner more views, and what is going to give this project more attention than the competition.

Thank you for reading this post! If you are thinking about pursuing a career in the entertainment industry, I hope you were able to gain some insight into the benefits of studying business. Also, I want to thank Delaney and Sofie for sharing their thoughts on this topic. If you have any further questions or want to discuss more about the benefits of a business degree in the entertainment industry, you can email me at litzler.7@osu.edu. 

Erin Litzler

Editor: Cassie Kobel
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Transitioning from College Student to Young Professional

4/25/2021

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The transition from college to a young professional can seem daunting as you adapt to a new schedule and find how you fit into your new role. I had the pleasure of discussing this matter with UBWA alumna and recent graduate, Katie Crum. Katie was the UBWA president for the 2019-2020 school year and now works as an industry marketer for Avient Corporation. In our discussion, she shared great insights about transitioning into full time work and the challenges that she has overcome in the process.
 Challenges of Starting a Full Time Position

            With new ventures comes new challenges. Whether it be joining a new company, moving to an unfamiliar place, or the overall shift to working full time, transitioning from a college student to a young professional can be taxing. Katie shared some of the difficulties she faced as she transitioned into her full-time role. She mentioned the clear challenges of starting work in a pandemic and went on to talk about the disconnect she felt from her coworkers, navigating new forms of communication, and the pace of her work. She also shared an important lesson about the struggles she faced in finding her new identity after graduation.
             “I went from working two jobs, being involved in multiple organizations, and taking a full course load in college to living by myself in a new city, working alone, and limited social interaction,” Katie shared. “Like most of the recent grads, I think, I struggled with the isolation of graduating college, leaving my friends, and finding a new identity that wasn’t tied up in what I majored in or what organization I belonged to.” I don’t think this subject is discussed enough, that leaving college can frequently come with a bit of an “identity crisis” as you search to find new outlets for your interests and passions and leave behind a familiar routine.

Communicating Your Needs

            Starting a new position can be intimidating. You might find yourself burnt out on endless responsibilities, or unfulfilled by the lack of work you have. No matter how you are feeling in your role, it is important to communicate with your supervisors and coworkers what you need.        
    Katie reflected upon the anxiety she felt at the beginning of her work from the “lack of responsibility” she had in her role. However, she shared some advice on how she addressed this situation, stating, “as I have progressed in my roles, demonstrated my abilities, and advocated for what type of work I want to do, I have been met with substantial and meaningful assignments that allow me to add real value to what I do.” Although it might be difficult to speak up for yourself in a new role, it can help alleviate stress and make your work more enjoyable.


Finding Joy in a New Chapter

            While starting work full time can have its challenges, it can also be a rewarding experience and exciting new time in your life. As with any transition, you have new opportunities to learn about yourself and lean into your interests. In the midst of this transition, Katie found time to adopt “two cats and an obscene number of houseplants.” She also mentioned that through this change, she found new ways to connect with friends. Finding these bits of happiness can make for an easier adjustment to life outside of college.

            When I reached out to Katie to hear about what she has learned in her new role, she gave countless pieces of good advice to share with you all, but her closing statement really stuck with me, and I think it is important that it be shared directly in her words:

“As someone who loves to reminisce and give unsolicited life advice, I have so much more I could say about my time in UBWA and transition to working full-time, but I will leave you with this. Something I have been forced to learn over the past year is we are all inundated with the mindset that the moment something doesn’t work out in our lives we have to change it. Not to be confused with complacency; however, patience for yourself and your situation often allows you to gain perspective on what you care about most. So give yourself grace, buy a few houseplants, and try not to worry too much.”

            Thank you to Katie Crum for her wonderful insight on this topic and thank you for reading this post! If you would like to learn more about the featured alumna in this post, please click on the Featured Alumnae button on the blog’s webpage. If you would like to further discuss the topic of transitioning into a full-time role, feel free to contact me at john.170@osu.edu.

Elya John 

Editor: Grace Berlier 
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How to Build Connections in a New City

4/11/2021

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After graduating college, many people decide to start their  journey in a new city. With this comes the challenge of digging your roots and building a network in that city. UBWA alumna Alexis Lesko moved to Los Angeles after graduating Ohio State with a specialization in Marketing in 2016. She currently works at United Talent Agency in the music department as an Agent Trainee. Alexis shared her strategies with me to “inspire some women to follow their dreams or take a risk.”

Tip 1: Reach out to your coworkers

Building a new social network can be intimidating. A strategy that can help is getting close with your new coworkers. If you sense that you would mesh well with someone you work with, ask them to go to lunch or dinner after work one day. Even if you don’t end up getting close, they can give you the low down on your new workplace including advice to succeed, what the culture is like, and information about your new coworkers. 

Tip 2: Ask your friends and family if they know anyone in the city you’re moving to

One of the best ways to build a network outside of work is to rely on the people you already know. Ask your peers if they have any friends or family living in your new city, especially people they think you would get along with. Alexis says that although “it’s not easy to bring yourself to hang out with strangers” at the beginning, “it gets easier and more often than not they will reciprocate.”

Tip 3: Find a social place to explore a hobby

Whether it be joining a gym or a pottery making group, exploring a hobby can help you meet people with similar interests. Taking up a hobby can also help to occupy your time and get you more involved in your new community. Although it may initially be difficult, ask people in your organization if they want to go out to lunch. At the very least, they can tell you the best local spots.

Tip 4: Reach out to your current network

Post on your social media asking your followers if they know anyone in your new city. Additionally, reach out to any mentors or professors you are close to. There is no shame in using the connections you have built up over your years at Ohio State. Alexis moved to Los Angeles “with no job lined up and no real plan of attack,” but through using this method, a friend of a friend helped her get her current job.

Tip 5: LinkedIn networking

Cold or warm networking via LinkedIn can help you. Make a post on LinkedIn asking your network if they have connections in the city you are moving to. Although “it may take dozens of messages,” eventually you will meet people who are willing to help you. These conversations could be as social or professional as you need. If you are focusing on developing a professional network, set the tone for the call and the questions you ask towards that. However, you can always use this tactic to ask people about the city you are moving to. They can give you good advice and maybe even offer to meet you when you move.

Overall, it is important to put yourself out there when you move to a new place. Alexis says, “If you put in the effort to reach out and meet new people, opportunities and doors will open for you.” When you move to a new city, be true to yourself and you will meet people who actually align with you. Through a new move, it is important to take care of your mental and physical well-being as it can be a scary and draining process.

I would like to thank you for reading this post and Alexis Lesko for her insight on such an important topic! If you have any questions about this content or would like to discuss more about the challenges of adapting to a new city after graduation, feel free to email me at dickman.122@osu.edu.

​

Erin Dickman

Editor: Elya John
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