BSBA, Management
7092 Placida Road, LEC33
Cape Haze, FL
My favorite Walker College memory is…
My plan to be a French teacher is what brought me to Appalachian State University. Taking advantage of meeting with my guidance counselor led me to step into the Walker College of Business. Having a “mind for business,” I followed his recommendation and registered for my first business class. From the moment I walked into the building, the dynamics were energizing, and I changed my course of studies to Business Administration, concentrating on Management. While changing my course of action, it added a year and a half with summer sessions too. As everyone knows, summers in Boone are some of the best days of the year. Who could not love staying in the mountains of North Carolina? I was able to take a class in a month, have fun, and work to pay the bills. Being the second oldest of six children, I worked before I began my college career at ASU. Working on campus was great, but eventually, you meet people and are ready to venture elsewhere. After trying out waitressing and bartending, I knew the restaurant business would never be in my future. So, I put on a business-looking outfit, and I went in search of a job that was better suited for me. That day, I was lucky to meet the Vice President of Carolina Business Machines (CBM), and I began working in their Hallmark Haus on Main Street. To this day, I am dear friends with Anna Bare-Miller while working with the exceptional people of CBM, it was exciting to help them expand into the new mall, opening the Hallmark Haus II. During my time at Hallmark Haus II, I had the opportunity to merge my college education and my work experience. Collaborating with my store manager and CBM management, I set up an internship with the Walker College of Business. Becoming the Assistant Store Manager and working 40 hours per week, I received real-life management experience. Getting paid and receiving 3-credit hours from the Walker College of Business was a win-win situation. Since graduating from ASU, I have used every aspect of my college education from the Walker College of Business. One of my professors shared something that never left my mind, and I have shared it with other coworkers or friends, struggling to manage. “The success of a manager is seen in the success of the people they manage.” Managers are teachers, and I loved the teaching aspect of my different jobs. From working in multiple positions at Penske Truck Leasing to working alongside surgical oncologists in administration and research, and on to my position as Bookkeeper/Office Manager with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, my college education gave me the confidence to succeed, no matter the role. Time management is an excellent skill to have when you’re juggling life in general. Add parenting and travel sports to the mix, and it’s overwhelming. With a son in travel sports, it was essential to have the time management expertise to enjoy the ride multiple nights per week and almost every weekend for years. I credit part of that skill to my education in the Walker College of Business. My walks across Appalachian State University into the Walker College of Business are some of the best memories. My best wishes to all who take advantage of becoming a Mountaineer for life.
My experience in the Walker College prepared me for my life and work...
Walking into the building for the first time and feeling the energy. Along with managerial skills, the confidence I gained from my experience at Walker College of Business is what I attribute to my success in my different business roles.