The Haslam College of Business has allowed me to grow in so many ways that I did not imagine for myself a few years ago. Haslam welcomed me during my freshman year and has made a lasting impact ever since. It truly feels like my second home and I’m proud to say I’ve experienced time within this college. A few ways that have made Haslam so special to me are the community, positivity, and energy that radiates within the building every single day. From employers of the day to t-shirt giveaways to seeing familiar faces on the way to class, there is never a dull moment at the Haslam College of Business. The community members including faculty, staff, and especially the Deans are so passionate about the growth of Haslam, and I love having the opportunity to be a part of that growth and change. I enjoy seeing the fuel and commitment that is put towards students every day. Haslam believes in every student’s success and this belief has inspired me to actively pursue and achieve all my career goals.

I’m now in my junior year and I have my second internship already lined up. If I’ve learned anything from Haslam it’s connections are key and that is another thing that’s made this college so special is the network I’ve created here. I’m fortunate to have gotten the opportunity to network with a variety of professionals and start my career early on. The Haslam College of Business is one of a kind from its easy access to resources, endless engagement, and student success opportunities but most importantly the encouraging, devoted faculty that works here every day is what makes the college stand out most!

There are many things I’ve been proud of during my time as a student at the Haslam College of Business, but one thing especially would be working my way up as the President of the Business Honors Council. It has always been a goal of mine to lead others in college and while I was unsure about what thing I would lead, I’m thankful it was through this council. Haslam Business Honors is steadily growing and it’s something I knew I wanted to be a part of early on.

This council means so much to me because every semester we get to help expand the Business Fellows Program in Haslam and get students involved with the honors experience. It’s very rewarding seeing 400+ honors students engage and take a lot out of the events we plan each year. As a council, it’s our goal to help bridge the gap between a student’s program and their honors experience. I’ve learned so much as president and can’t wait to continue recruiting students to this council and representing them as the voice for change within Haslam Honors. It’s crazy to think that a few years ago when this council started it was only 7 people but this year, we had over 30 applicants expanding to a competitive 28-person council. More people have heard about our name, we’ve rebranded, and are excited to see the exponential growth continue. I’m just so lucky to be a part of this new growth and lead an amazing group of high-achieving individuals who care so much about Haslam and the impact they leave.

On top of being a proud president of the Business Honors Council, I will say the Business Fellows Program is something I’ve also loved being a part of during my time in Haslam. It’s a fairly new honors program in Haslam and I’m fortunate enough to be one of the original cohort members so I’ve seen it grow from the start. I would say the Business Fellows Program has allowed me to connect with more of my classmates and has helped me understand what my own values and visions are as a leader. This semester I’ve gotten the opportunity to practice being a leader on campus and represent as a BUAD 207 Peer Mentor. What I love so much about being a Peer Mentor for the BF program is that I get to make personal connections with the students I’m helping and act as a positive role model. Knowing that I get to help others succeed in a class and be a resource for them is one of the most rewarding things that I’ve gotten out of my time as a student in Haslam.

One of my favorite courses that I’ve taken at the Haslam College of Business is Honors Demand Management also known as BUAD 338. As a marketing major, I was very excited to take my first introduction class toward my major however this class went way beyond my expectations. While I learned a lot of terms and concepts, I enjoyed how it was a very applications-based course. My professor encouraged us to go the extra mile and wanted us to gain concrete presentation skills that would be useful beyond our time in the classroom.

The course was focused a lot on case studies, and it was something I had never done before. I learned how to read and conceptualize a case and then bring a strategy together in the form of a presentation. Professor Armbrister was such a great teacher because he believed in all of us and our potential for every case we did. It’s classes like these, that I’ve been able to bring project and team-building examples to an interview. Without the challenges and lessons learned within a group project, I wouldn’t have been as successful with my interview questions this past semester. I really think the classes and assignments given in Haslam courses are what makes a variety of their students stand out post-graduation.

I would recommend a future student looking at the Haslam College of Business to connect with faculty early on. They want to see you excel in the future and are there to help you along the way when you are struggling. The faculty is also there to be a part of your professional network and I’ve valued a lot of my connections made in Haslam so far. While it can be nerve-wracking to attend office hours and go the extra mile in a class, it is worthwhile and the professors love seeing student’s determination.

One piece of advice I have for those who are looking to get more involved in Haslam is to not be afraid of trying new things. Step outside your comfort zone, be confident, and discover something new because some of the best experiences made in college are the ones that aren’t planned. Going into college, I had no idea I would ever join a business fraternity or be a part of Haslam honors but now I couldn’t imagine my life without the amazing people I’ve met through my involvement. The Haslam College of Business offers an endless amount of opportunities so take advantage of all of them as college is the time to try new things and explore!! However, be mindful of not joining every organization but instead finding career events and clubs that spark a passion within you and align with your own values.