Walker College student services are ready to serve students for Fall 2020

Academic services in the Walker College of Business, including advising, career services and more, will be available to all Appalachian State University business majors, regardless of whether the student is taking courses in person in Peacock Hall, online or some of each.

In an effort to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus during the COVID-19 pandemic, many of the Walker College's services have transitioned to an all-virtual delivery method for the Fall 2020 term, and others are offering a hybrid approach. Services include academic advising, career services, professional development opportunities, business ideation and start-up help, and scholarship and research resources, among others. 

Academic Advising

"All of our advisors are available through Zoom," said Sheryl Kane, director of business advising. "We'll be supporting all our students' advising needs from a safe social distance."  Kane said students should schedule their appointments, request registration assistance and more through the link on the center's website, businessadvising.appstate.edu. "Remember we're all in this together," added Kane in encouragement to the students as they encounter inevitable changes this term. The business advising center can also be reached by phone (828) 262-2700 or email, cobadvising@appstate.edu, Students can get help declaring or changing majors, with registration or senior checks, or to ensure they are on target with the right classes for their degree plan.

Career Services

Career coaches in the Walker College's Business Career Services (BCS) in the BB&T Student Leadership Center anticipate serving students by Zoom or phone, primarily. The center provides career coaching, coursework, events and networking opportunities for business students.

The center also hosts the college's largest career event, Walker Business Connections (WBC), each year. The 2020 event, a collaboration between BCS and the Brantley Risk and Insurance Center, will be the first virtual WBC. It is scheduled for Sept. 30 - Oct. 2. Professional development opportunities are also available virtually, with the following dates and topics scheduled for all business students.

  • Sep 1: Remote Recruitment
  • Sep 8: Networking & Online Etiquette
  • Sep 15: Virtual Interviews
  • Sep 22: How to work a Virtual Career Fair 
  • Oct 6: Virtual Internships
  • Oct 13: LinkedIn
  • Oct 20: Salary Negotiation

Learn more about the Fall 2020 Professional Development Series. The career services team also offers career coaching, job search strategies, resume reviews, dining etiquette tips, internship support, interview preparation, professional dress guidance and more. Students are invited to "virtually" drop-in virtual drop in Mondays - Thursdays from 3:30 pm - 5pm.

Scholarship Support

Through the generous support of alumni, friends and corporate partners, the Walker College offers competitive scholarships to current and incoming students. The number of scholarships and amounts awarded vary each year and are subject to funds available. Scholarship amounts typically range from $500 - $2,000 per year and some are renewable. The Walker College of Business awards more than $600,000 in scholarships annually. The application process open late fall. Visit the scholarship webpage or email wcobscholarships@appstate.edu with questions.

Research Support 

Business students are also eligible to apply for a variety of research grants designed to cover costs associated with research projects or creative endeavors, including Barnes Program Research Grants and the CERPA Scholars Program. The college's Graduate Programs & Research Office may help; email cobresearch@appstate.edu.

Entrepreneurial Programs

The Center for Entrepreneurship (CFE), housed in the Walker College, offers a full array of resources to help support and accelerate a growth mindset. "There are lots of ways to get connected," said CFE Program Specialist Sara Figlow, adding that Entrepreneurship Roundtable meetings will be held virtually on Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. and Thursdays at 3:00 p.m. "The drop-in meetings help connect students and are a great way to get started in entrepreneurship," she said.

The CFE is also hosting the Startup Factory for Fall 2020, virtually. Startup Factory is a series of workshops that, upon completion, promise "a permanent competitive advantage in everything that comes next." Virtual Startup Factory dates and topics are as follows.

  • True Colors: September 1
  • Ideation: September 8
  • Choice: September 15
  • Opportunity: September 22
  • Action: September 29
  • Knowledge: October 6
  • Resourcefulness: October 13
  • Reliability: October 20
  • Community: October 27
  • Persistence: November 3

The events can be joined by Zoom at this link. For more information, call (828) 262-8325 or email entrepreneurship@appstate.edu.

Clubs

For many, engaging with a small group through clubs and student-run organizations helps establish a sense of belonging on campus. The Walker College of Business houses more than 20 business-related clubs. The university offers additional opportunities. There are two virtual club expos scheduled for Fall 2020, and students are encouraged to log in to drop in and find their niche.

  1. University Virtual Club Expo: Sunday, August 16, 2-4pm 
  2. Business Virtual Club Expo: Tuesday, September 1, 12-2pm (tentative)

University life is different for Fall 2020, but the key services to develop young professionals are in place. Faculty and staff members are eager to serve students, even beyond the classroom (or online) course delivery.

Contacts

For additional information or contacts for other areas in the Walker College of Business, please visit our coronavirus updates page, business.appstate.edu/coronavirus.

Walker College student services are ready to serve students for Fall 2020
Published: Jul 28, 2020 3:35pm

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