Walker College of Business

Ninety-two percent of Walker College of Business Class of 2015 graduates have successfully reached their first destination, according to statistics compiled by staff at Appalachian State University's BB&T Student Leadership Center.

First destination statistics report employment rates, salaries and additional information regarding undergraduates six months* post-graduation. Seventy-nine percent of those that are at their first destination are employed full-time, making an average base salary of $47,407, with 13 percent attending graduate school and the remaining eight percent involved in non-career related pursuits. Those not at their first destination are still seeking full-time employment. Individuals who are still seeking full-time employment include those who have accepted part-time employment or a temporary, full-time job.

The survey response rate was 96 percent.

The North Carolina job market benefited the most with 77 percent of respondents electing to work full-time in the state. While only five percent of graduates sought work in Boone, the majority, 28 percent of the graduates, are working in nearby Charlotte. The Southern Region (AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, SC, TN) saw the second highest influx of Appalachian graduates, 11 percent.

The survey also provided insight about internships in business fields at Appalachian. Of the 2015 Walker College of Business graduating class, 57 percent held an internship during their course of study. Thirty-eight percent of those who had an internship earned course credit for their on-job experience.  

The insurance service industry had the highest percentage of the Walker College of Business graduates entering the field with 19 percent. The financial service industry was second on the list with 17 percent, while consulting services had the lowest percentage of Appalachian graduates, one percent.

"Seven of the nine majors in the Walker College boast 90 percent or higher first destination rates," said BB&T Student Leadership Center Executive Director Michelle Boisclair.

Boisclair added that students majoring in all functional areas of business at Appalachian have opportunities to interact with industry. "Business Connections, one of several signature Walker College events, provides a day-long forum for business students to learn from, and network with, company representatives on campus."

Related: Walker Business Connections to be held on campus at Appalachian State University on September 28, 2016.

"Even the lowest of our first destination rates are much higher than the national average," said Boisclair. "According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) 71 percent of college graduates in 2014** reached were employed full-time or attending graduate school within six months."

Boisclair attributes the telling figures to a number of factors, including innovative programs like Business Connections, exceptional partnerships with industry and an engaged faculty.

Review the data.

About the Walker College of Business BB&T Student Leadership Center

The BB&T Student Leadership Center delivers professional, leadership and career development opportunities to business majors in the Walker College of Business at Appalachian State University. Inspiring and engaging students to connect their academic experience to the business world, the center helps train and develop future business leaders. The BB&T Student Leadership Center was founded In 2011 in recognition of the BB&T-Appalachian partnership to continue to develop and embrace a culture of leadership.  

To learn more about Walker College of Business first destination statistics or programs offered in the BB&T Student Leadership Center, contact Michelle Boisclair, boisclairm@appstate.edu or (828) 262-7579 or visit their site: leadership.business.appstate.edu.

*Survey measures are taken between commencement and six months after graduation, which results in statistics that apply to the previous academic year.

**NACE reporting for 2015 anticipated June 2016. 

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Eight Walker College of Business faculty members will present their collaborative research at the Appalachian Research in Business Symposium in Richmond, Kentucky March 31 - April 1.

CIS and Supply Chain Management Assistant Professor Sam Formby, Associate Dean for Graduate Programs and Research Director Sandy Vannoy, Computer Information Systems Professor Dawn Medlin, Accounting Associate Professor Rebecca Hutchins, Assistant Director of the Transportation Insight Center for Entrepreneurship Jonathan Carpenter, Marketing Associate Professor Pia Albinsson,  Accounting Professor and Dixon-Hughes Fellow Tammy Kowalczyk and Economics Professor Mike McKee will all be representing Appalachian State at the Symposium.

The Appalachian Research in Business Symposium provides an opportunity for the business faculty of universities in the Appalachian region to share current research interests and outcomes. 

The 2016 event is hosted by Eastern Kentucky University's School of Business. Research will be presented in the business areas of Accounting, Business Education, Computer Information Systems, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Hospitality and Tourism, Management, and Marketing.

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Three Walker College of Business students have earned a top spot in the University of Georgia (UGA) Stock Pitch Competition finals. 

Senior Finance and Banking majors Nathan Wiles, Christian Bear and Eric Hasenkopf, who are members of the Appalachian State University Bowden Investment Group, were selected through a pitch submission contest.

The students submitted an investment thesis pitching buy or sell recommendations on a stock. The focus company must have a minimum market capitalization of $500 MM and be a current member of the NYSE, NASDAQ, or Amex.

The submissions were judged on the strength of the thesis, the ability to clearly communicate the thesis, evidence of mispricing, the appropriateness and accuracy of valuation methodologies and the agreement between qualitative and quantitative analysis.

The top 12 teams were invited to the UGA campus to compete in the finals at UGA on March 19. The Stock Pitch Competition is hosted by UGA's Terry College of Business.

Related: members of the BIG are currently competing in the CFA Institute Research Challenge.

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The Transportation Insight Center for Entrepreneurship (TICFE) will host its annual  Pitch Your Idea Competition on Thursday, March 24, at 2:00 p.m.

The event, sponsored by Appalachian alumnus and author of The Hockey Stick Principles Bobby Martin and the Walker College of Business, will offer an opportunity to showcase the innovative ideas of Appalachian students from across campus.

Competitors will pitch their ideas and receive feedback from a panel of regional entrepreneur judges to earn a share of the $2,500 prize money.  First prize will earn $1,000.

"We hope that our students will make connections and learn from the experience, and that attendees will be inspired," said TICFE Director Erich Schlenker.  "There is also potential for regional entrepreneurs to become further engaged in the center and serve as mentors and resources to Appalachian student entrepreneurs."

 The event is open to students, faculty and staff, and the community. There is no fee to attend, and registration is not required.

Bobby Martin graduated from the Walker College in 1992 with majors in Economics and Finance and Banking. He co-founded First Research, which synthesizes data into information that a salesperson can use to better understand a prospect’s or client’s business issues,  in 1998. Martin is also president and co-founder of Vertical IQ, a leading provider of sales research insight for banks. The Hockey Stick Principles is a research project to figure out how good ideas become successful firms. 

Do you have a big idea that could turn into an exciting new business? Are you interested in winning $1000? Applications to pitch your idea are due Tuesday, March 1 and ten finalists will be selected to present to a panel of judges on competition day. To apply, send a 200-word summary of your idea to schlenkere@appstate.edu explaining the problem you are solving and how your solution is unique.

For more information on the competition, visit the Transportation Insight Center's website.

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