As a sophomore in college, I have a better idea of my professional goals compared to when I enrolled in college. When I first came to OSU, I started in the Fisher College of Business, but I was interested in doing engineering as well. With the guidance of my academic advisors, I switched into the College of Engineering as a Chemical Engineering major and picked up a business minor. However, after a semester in chemical engineering, I realized that I wasn’t exactly passionate about molecules and chemical reactions, so I switched into Industrial and Systems Engineering.
As an Industrial and Systems Engineering major, I can easily see myself incorporating my interests in engineering and business into my career. My current professional goals involve using my degree to work in supply chain management and logistics, and eventually transitioning into a management position in my company. I also anticipate my career going in directions I can’t predict right now, which is why I’d like to spend my time in college studying a range of subjects that could be useful later in my career.
Some classes I’ve taken so far that have helped me in my professional goals include an accounting class, my initial engineering classes where I was able to develop and market a product with a team of my classmates, and also a business operations and supply chain class which helped me discover my interest in supply chain management.
Some future coursework I’m excited for include the classes I will take for the ISE major. This semester I’m taking my first official ISE class and I’ve already really enjoyed applying my knowledge in math, science, and engineering towards a topic I’m interested in. I’m also excited to take the rest of my business minor classes, like finance and marketing. I’m also considering adding a history minor. Although it may not seem to directly apply to my current professional goals, I believe it’s important to have a great understanding of our history, and I think these could be classes that help me later in life even if I’m not entirely sure how at the moment.
I am also involved in extracurriculars that are supporting my professional goals. I am a member of the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers which has enabled me to connect and network with ISE majors and alumni, get resume feedback, and gain more exposure to the variety of opportunities available to people with my major. I am also a Teaching Assistant for BUSMGT 3130, which has allowed me to develop greater mastery of business operations and supply chain management and has helped me network with professors and students in the Fisher College of Business. Additionally, as a Service Committee Chair in the Mount Leadership Society Scholars Program, I have gained more leadership and project management experience which can be useful in any career I pursue.
I have been fortunate to have the mentorship of my academic advisors, alumni in Mount, upperclassmen in my major and clubs, and family friends who have helped me identify my professional goals and given me advice on how to best reach them.