An introvert, Frank Insingo enjoys staying in and relaxing, but knows stepping out of his comfort zone helps for a future in business. Instead of heading home this fall break, he challenged himself to travel with peers on the College of Business Career Expedition to Minneapolis.

“I have a motto to stop seeking comfort,” said Insingo, a junior accounting major from Floral Park, New York. “I could have sat on the couch and ate Cheetos, but I knew going to Minneapolis and visiting companies would make me better. I’m definitely more prepared for what’s ahead today than before we left on the trip.”

The 16 students who embarked on the Career Expedition led by Dr. Chris Timm, associate director of employer experience of the Business Career Center, visited five vastly different companies. The diverse employers included Plyo, a fitness technology company; Target, the large commercial retailer; Lazard Middle Market, an investment bank; EY, a Big Four accounting firm; and Colle McVoy, a public relations company. The experience helped Insingo realize his accounting path is only limited by his own ideas.

“One thing I noticed is so many people who presented to us at the companies didn’t study exactly what they’re doing now. Your job doesn’t always depend on your degree. The presenter at Lazard investment bank used to audit and the person at Colle McVoy advertising agency was a communications major rather than advertising or marketing. It reinforced that I can have a flexible career when I leave college,” he said.

In her role at the college, Timm tracks college alumni in various positions across the country. When she plans the expeditions, she showcases different companies and a variety of professionals so students see examples of their future possibilities.

“Frank’s degree is accounting and everyone needs accountants. By going to these companies, it shows students how they can apply their academic background in different ways,” said Timm. “We look forward to showing students how an accounting firm needs marketers and a marketing firm needs accountants.”

Insingo also received insight into how company culture shapes career options. The expedition provided access to different company cultures firsthand.

“Every company has its own way of life and way of working. If I’m going to spend 40-70 hours a week at a place, I want to like where I work. I don’t want to go somewhere and then worry about getting through each day. It’s important to find a place I like and I’m excited to wake up and go to work. That’s something I paid attention to on the trip,” he said.

Arriving on Sunday evening, students spent the next two days visiting companies. They also took a tour of U.S. Bank Stadium and found new places to socialize.

“Sometimes it would have been easier to walk to the next location, but we navigated the Minneapolis skyways. Then we intentionally took the light rail to develop confidence in a new city,” Timm said.

Being from the New York City metropolitan area, Insingo felt at home on the rail system. Nevertheless, he emphasized his appreciation for what Nebraska Business offers when it comes to pushing students to greater heights.

“I’m naturally introverted so I want to push myself because connecting with people is key in business. I’m also in the sales certificate program at the college and this trip helped show how the sales component can be beneficial in presenting skills and selling myself to others. The Career Expedition was absolutely beneficial, and I met many new students,” he said.

The spring Career Expedition to Washington D.C. takes place March 22-25. Visit the Business Career Center webpage next semester for more details: https://business.unl.edu/careers/.    Published: October 29, 2019