Past seminars

The Career and Professional Development Seminar is an yearly event that is organized by the MBA Association with the support of the College of Business. The objective of the event is to provide MBA students with the opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and insight from guest speakers for their personal and professional development.

The Career Seminar has been very successful in attracting guest speakers from a wide variety of background in the industry with interesting presentations ranging from topics on finance to business ethics.

Past Seminars

Career and Professional Development Seminar 2006

The MBA Associations' 9th annual Career and Professional Development Seminar was held on Friday, February 17th, 2006. The location for this year's event utilized the new College of Business Building's Executive Classroom and Boardroom. The event opened with a welcome by Dean Dixie Mills of the College of Business and an introduction by Dr. Lee Graf, MBA Program Director. The keynote speaker was Susan Hood, Claims Vice President at State Farm, who spoke about Career Direction Planning. her presentation included advice to follow the three C's: Courage to follow your passion, Capacity to do the right things and achieve balance, and Commitment to be the very best you can be. The next session of the seminar included a human resource panel of experts which consisted of Diane Crutcher, human resource director at BroMennHealthcare, Jaime Gray, college recruiter at State Farm, and Maureen Roach, senior assistant director at Illinois State's Career Center. Advice was given on job search strategies, what employers look for, job offer evaluations and negotiations, and interviewing skills. A lunch then followed catered by Avanti's.

This year's event was very successful; and registration almost reached capacity. Attendees included current part-time and full-time students, alumni, and faculty. It provided a great networking opportunity as the speakers stayed for the lunch and were able to talk to attendees individually and in small groups.

The history of the Career and Professional Development Seminar comes as an evolution from the concept of bringing successful speakers to campus to share their knowledge with students. In the past, various speakers came to campus throughout the year. As this often provided scheduling conflicts, speakers were combined into a one-day event where multiple sessions and speakers presented simultaneously. As students were faced with the decision of which presentation to attend, the idea came to make the event a combination of speakers that presented in a daylong format. hence, the Career and Professional Development Seminar as we know it today.

Funding for this year's even was in large part due to the Registered Student Organization (RSO) program fund board and the Graduate Student Association (GSA). Without their financial support, this event would not have taken place, and we greatly appreciate their help.

Comments from Attendees:

"The speeches/panel were very informative and comfortable. The speakers did a good job of conveying useful information to the audience while also relating to the audience and allowing the audience to get involved in the discussion."

"Very informative and good speakers. It was very helpful for those looking for a job right now!"

"Speakers were excellent!"

"Lots of useful information."

"I think it was a very good turnout...glad I attended."

Career and Professional Development Seminar 2003

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1. Jack W. North

Executive Vice President, State Farm Insurance Companies

Topic: Leadership Strategies

2. Gregory A. White

Vice President, Van Kampen Investment Advisory Corporation

Topic: Recognizing hurdles to Career Management, How to

Manage your Career and get promoted within the Organization

           

3. Dr.Alfred Arkley

President, Arkley Consulting Training

Topic: Negotiating Effective Agreements

 

Career and Professional Development Seminar 2002

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1. Gerald Strickland

Retired Regional Vice President, State Farm Insurance Companies

Topic: Organizational Change

 

2. Jeffrey R. Secord

Managing Director, First Busey Securities Inc.

Topic: Financial Planning

 

3. Francis Duren

Corporate Public Affairs Manager, Caterpillar

Topic: Corporate Public Affairs

 

4. Mike Klockenga

Search Partner, DHR International

Topic: Career Management

 

Career and Professional Development Seminar 2001

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1. Eric Loughmiller

Topic: Taking a Company Through an Initial Public Offering

 

2. Caterpillar, Inc

Topic: Global Diversity and Succession Planning

 

3. State Farm Insurance Companies

Topic: Training and Development

 

4. Accenture

Topic: Consulting at its Best