During the week of February 22-26, the University of St. Thomas – Cameron School of Business will hold ‘Alumni Week’- an opportunity for CSB alumni to connect directly with business students.
Alumni Week provides an opportunity for CSB alumni to interact with students and provide insight on career development and the CSB experience. According to Cameron School dean Dr. Beena George, the alumni enjoy offering guidance to the current students, and helping them to get the most from their Cameron School experience.
“We have a group of very committed alumni, and I know they are glad to be able to come back and share their experiences with current students,” George said.
Included in this group of committed alumni is Karen Yale, ‘05, who achieved her MBA in Finance from UST and is now the director of administrative services at EP Energy. Yale has returned to UST several times, connecting with students both in the classroom and at events such as Freshman Symposium, Women in Business meetings, and alumni week. Speaking to an ethics class during CSB’s Alumni Week in 2014, Yale was able to share personal experiences about real ethical decisions she had to make in the workplace. According to Yale, “I still get together with one of the students I met in 2014 to discuss both of our careers.”
The relationship between students and alumni at UST is a reciprocal one – not only can alumni share their personal experiences, but students are able to ask questions and express concerns to someone who has already been in their place. Brian Ehlinger, a UST senior working towards a joint BBA/MBA in accounting, expressed his pleasure at attending a school which fosters this important connection between alumni and students. Ehlinger has been part of the CSB Mentorship program for four years now as a mentee, and plans to begin studying for the CPA exam after graduation.
“Mentors assist students with their career path and help prepare them for interviews,” said Ehlinger. “I have benefited from being involved with alumni in the CSB mentorship program, and I plan to mentor in the fall 2016 semester.”