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Business Learning Communities Find Value in Company Visits

Business Learning Communities Find Value in Company Visits
Management trainees Jake Bender, Natalie Kozel and Ryan Evers share their business insight with the students.
University of NebraskaLincoln students in the Business Learning Communities (BLC) recently discovered the new College of Business classrooms are not the only place they learn. BLC students traveled to Omaha, Nebraska, to visit First National Bank and Union Pacific.

Students toured both facilities and participated in panel discussions with professionals who shared real-world business insight. Nathan Geis, freshman marketing major from Lincoln, Nebraska, found the tour of First National Bank of Omaha fascinating. He enjoyed seeing behind the scenes of banking and the process of making debit cards.

Three management trainees, including alumnus and former BLC student Ryan Evers ’17, spoke about the importance of networking, finding a company which fits your values and trying new things.

“Meeting a former learning community member with a full-time position at First National Bank showed how it helps to connect with employers. The panel taught me to never turn down an opportunity. It’s important to keep an open mind and look at any opportunities offered to you,” Geis said.

Matthew Geyer, academic advisor for Business Advising and Student Engagement, helped coordinate the trip, and accompanied the students. He considers industry visits like this critical to business students.

“The learning community students are able to observe the inner-workings of business settings across a variety of fields. We were privileged to witness professionals in the accounting, marketing and management industries and hear their stories on how to effectively maximize their experience in college while preparing for a professional career,” he said.

Gunnar Millot, freshman management and marketing major from Rhinelander, Wisconsin, believes these trips help prepare him and his peers for their future in business.

“Being a member of the BLC presents a multitude of opportunities. Trips like these provide greater insight of the companies in Nebraska and beyond while exposing us to the business world we will one day be entering. They also have the ability to open doors for those interested in internships and careers with these companies,” said Millot. “Joining a learning community not only benefits me academically, but helps my social and professional life grow quicker than I would've ever thought possible.”

The BLC concluded the trip with a dinner at Upstream Brewing Company. They are preparing for a trip to Chicago during the spring semester. To learn more about the BLC, visit business.unl.edu/blc.
Published: December 7, 2017