The Lundy-Fetterman School of Business has continuously called on its alumni to be involved in events and programs within the Business School, where they have always answered with generosity. Despite the uncertainty of this year and the new virtual environment, Business School alumni have stepped up to meet the needs of our students during the fall semester.
Within BADM 100, the Business School’s Freshman Orientation course, nearly 100 students are grouped together and assigned a peer mentor to help guide them through their first year at Campbell University. Freshmen were connected with a peer mentor and a business Business Alumni. Twelve dedicated alumni mentors added their perspectives and provided additional advice and guidance to BADM 100 students. Alumni mentors took time out of their busy schedules to meet virtually with their group throughout the semester. These individuals were able to share their “Campbell Story,” as well as give advice to students on their final Food Truck project. In addition, the Alumni mentors were invited to attend the Final Food Truck presentation virtually at the end of the semester.
Business Alumni were also involved in BADM 200, the Philosophy of Business course, which focuses on entrepreneurship and is taught by Professor Scott Kelly. Knowing how invaluable the experience would be for students, Professor Kelly invited several Business School alumni entrepreneurs to be guest speakers for the duration of the class. Students were able to hear various perspectives from the alumni entrepreneurs with experience in startups ranging from coffee shops to security system companies.
“One bright spot during the pandemic has been the increase in connections between our students and alumni,” Kelly says. “While we have guest speakers engage students each semester, this semester we’ve had more professionals join us for class than any previous semester. I’m excited to see the resulting internships and jobs from those collaborative conversations.”
In addition to speaking in classes, Business School alumni have been heavily involved in events hosted by the offices of Student Success and Career Services. Throughout the LEAD: Student Success Speaker Series, several Alumni dedicated their time to give advice and guidance to students within the Business School. Students were able to hear about Servant Leadership on a variety of topics, such as financial literacy, prioritizing multiple passions and finding unique ways to lead and serve.
Lorne Jenkins ’17, who spoke at the Servant Leadership Series on Financial Literacy stated, “Going back to speak with our current business school students has to be one of the most fun and rewarding things I have done since starting my company. To go back to a place that gave me so much and helped me grow, it’s the least I can do to try and give that to our current Camels.”
The office of Career Services at the Business School also offered several workshops from alumni on COVID-era careers, titled: Working from Home-The New Normal and Virtual Internships-How to Make Your Remote Internship Successful. Continuing to prep students for the job search, alumni participated in a three-day virtual mock interview event. Students who participated were able to gain experience with the online format and receive valuable feedback from Alumni on their interviewing skills.
“It has been so amazing to see how quick our Alumni were to get involved in engaging our students during such a difficult semester,” says Maurissa Miller, Director of Alumni Relations for the Business School, “to selflessly give their time, even in the evenings, to our students has been so incredible. We really have the best alumni!”
Although the fall semester is quickly coming to an end, there are many opportunities for Alumni to get involved in the spring. To learn more, please visit the Business School website where you can find opportunities under the Business Alumni page under Engage.