Central College News

Experts in the Business World

Central professors have more than 35 combined years of professional business experience. They infuse skills they’ve learned from working in management, administration, accounting and international economics into the foundation of every class session.“The world revolves around business,” says associate professor Jaclyn Rundle, “and you learn in our discipline how the world works.”

Professors are determined to create a successful atmosphere for business students, says senior Kathleen Connolly of Saint Cloud, Minn. “My professors have challenged and pushed me to do my best work,” says Connolly. “They have also gone out of their way to give me individualized help when I have struggled.”

Students explore vital topics through courses in business law, corporate finance, economics, entrepreneurship, marketing and more. And the synergic combination of faculty dedication and hard-working students truly defines the experience.

Connections to Competitive Jobs

Thanks to networking ties between alumni and top local businesses, students and recent graduates are often requested to fill needed job openings by name.“Employers who typically hire our students are really aware of the high academic standard we set here,” says assistant professor of accounting Maggie Schlerman. “Although it’s not easy to take some of the classes we have, our students are in demand.”

And the numbers don’t lie, either — Central College business students stand alone when it comes to internships and post-graduate career offerings, with 97 perfect of business management graduates receiving employment opportunities within six months of graduation.

Hands-On Local Experience

Central students also learn the world of business directly from career and networking events, competitive internships and first-hand job opportunities.

Enrolled students can also take advantage of the department’s mentorship program, where current students apply to be paired with a mentor who works in their field of interest.

Assistant professor of economics Uwaoma Nwaogu says the program gives students the opportunity to directly immerse themselves in different business industries in real time.

Networking with Heart

Ultimately, the business program — like Central College itself — reinforces the quintessence of business success: relationships.

“What it boils down to is that one of the things we value most in the department is relationships — forming those relationships and keeping them nurtured forever,” says Rundle.

Central connections helped senior Toby Wall of Ankeny land three internships — and secure his future position at Deloitte even before his senior year. “None of this would’ve been possible without the connections I made in the business program at Central,” says Wall.

Students can be sure that a business degree from Central College will prepare them for every possible element of the job market — from how to dress for interviews to helpful networking skills to tutorials for polished, professional communication.