Appalachian State University's business career services office in the BB&T Student Leadership Center is full of inviting and helpful personnel, one of whom is Appalachian alumna Annie Love '16.
Offering Quality Advice
Love, who has been a member of the staff in the center for nearly two years, takes pride in working for the college from which she earned her undergraduate degree (in economics). Having recently come through a Walker College of Business program herself, Love feels exceptionally qualified to offer advice to students preparing for today's workplace. She enjoys finding students opportunities and career opportunities of which they may not otherwise be aware.
As a career coach in the Walker College, Love helps guide students toward bright futures. Her duties include helping develop resumes, conducting practice interviews and teaching job search strategies and effective employer communication techniques. Love also serves as an employee relations specialist, working with employers in the hospitality industry to learn what they require in new hires. She strives to connect as many students and employers as possible by inviting them to networking events and career fairs.
Revitalizing Business 2000
A key accomplishment of Love's included reworking the business 2000 course, a required course for all students prior to admittance to the Walker College designed to make all business students aware of co-curricular activities and resources available outside the classroom. Love was instrumental in evolving the assignments and materials to be more relevant for today's student and meet the needs of the workplace.
One of Love's favorite parts of her job is empowering students to realize their potential and become aware of all the opportunities that await them. She advises aspiring business professionals to get involved in their ideal working atmosphere, even if it is not his or ideal position. "Not every job will be as perfect as you imagine it to be," said Love, "but with perseverance, an open mind, and hard work, you will find the job you want."
Love, who is now pursuing her masters in public administration from Appalachian - while working full time, is just one of several coaches waiting to meet with and advise students in the Walker College. Academic advising and career coaching-like that which Love provides-are free services for business majors at Appalachian.
Drop into a Career Coaching Appointment
For students looking to connect with a career coach, they can speak to one assigned to their major. Love serves as the career coach for Hospitality & Tourism Management, Management, and Marketing majors. Amy Odom serves as the career coach for Accounting, Economics, Finance & Banking, and Risk Management & Insurance majors. Veronica Lozano-Toub serves as the career coach for Computer Information Systems, International Business and Supply Chain Management. Lozano-Toub is also proficient in providing information on how to use an internship for university credit.
Career coaching is located in the BB&T Student Leadership Center, Room 2140 in Peacock Hall. Ten minute drop-in appointments are available from Mondays-Thursdays between 3:00 and 4:30 p.m. Learn more or schedule an appointment online, businesscareers.appstate.edu/career-coaching/appointments-drop-ins.
About the BB&T Student Leadership Center
The BB&T Student Leadership Center provides opportunities for business students to build career skills through professional and leadership development training. The center provides career services with personalized coaching and support to business students as they prepare for a career beyond Appalachian. The center serves as a link between students and employment recruiters and alumni, and it provides programs and services to assist students as they develop professionally inside and outside of the classroom. Services offered include mentoring, leadership case competitions, career counseling, resume development, internship placement assistance, job search strategies, mock interviewing and salary negotiation training.
By Taylor Heidenreich
Annie Love
