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CBA Scholars Academy graduates reflect on their time at UNO

  • published: 2019/05/08
  • contact: Lindsey Hasenjager - CBA Marketing Department
Scholars Academy Graduates

Information about the 2019 Scholars Academy graduates included below:

Bri Eisert

What are your immediate career plans after graduation?

I accepted a marketing position in Costa Rica with a study abroad company. I'll be doing all the marketing for their high adventure programs for the summer. It's going to be so much fun to work on my marketing skills, explore the country and brush up on my Spanish skills! After the summer, I'll be heading to China to be an English teacher for a year. When I'm not teaching, I'll have the chance to travel around the country, take courses in Mandarin and learn more about the amazing culture.

What impact has this program had on your career goals?

One of the first pieces of advice I was given when I came to college was by the director of the Scholars Academy. She told my cohort to not be afraid to challenge ourselves in the next four years. She encouraged us to take hard classes (even if it meant getting a B), applying to jobs that we saw as "out of reach" and even telling us to pursue passions outside of the College of Business.

Looking back, I realize that advice was intertwined with my experience in the Scholars Academy. When I took those harder classes, other scholars were helping me study. Applying to "out of reach" jobs, I had the support system of my fellow scholars and mentors to help me move on from rejections and even push me to accept international job offers after graduation. And when I explored passions outside of CBA and went on the cohort trip to Germany, I found I wanted to combine my love of international studies with business.

Without that first piece of advice and the support of the Scholars Academy, I don't think I'd be pursuing the same international career goals.

Why should a high school student consider applying to the Scholars Academy?

The Scholars Academy isn't a program that will put you in a box labeled accounting, marketing, finance or any other discipline. The program is a chance to better understand what kind of career you want to have in business by letting you explore all of your options.

You can find out if accounting is for you from taking the cohort accounting course and talking with professors. You can see if marketing comes easily to you by working on a social media campaign with fellow scholars. You can explore a career in finance by having a mentor with a finance career. The Scholars Academy is a chance to explore and find your passion in business.

Chris Winchester

What are your immediate career plans after graduation?

I will be continuing my education here at UNO by working for the next year to attain my MBA. I will work as the graduate assistant for Dr. Miles and Dr. Bass as the Capstone Cup GA. In this position I will assist in planning the Capstone Cup, I will write and work to publish the three cases each semester, and I will also work to pursue further research to get published on my path towards PhD applications.

What experiences have been most valuable to you in the Scholars Academy?

One of the most valuable experiences to me in the Scholars Academy has been being able to meet so many amazing people. I have made life-long friends and connections that will be integral to so much I do later on in my life, whether it be someone I need to talk to or help to get a job. In addition, my mentors through the Scholars Academy have assured I stay on track and they are one of the main reasons I was able to accomplish so much.

I know that when I leave the Scholars Academy I will still have these great connections to help me no matter what I do. Finally, the classes and academic rigor within this program has pushed me to accomplish more than I ever thought possible. Nearly every semester I was able to get a personalized experience with the Scholars Academy classes.

Why should a high school student consider applying to the Scholars Academy?

The Scholars Academy is by far one of the best decisions I made when going into college. It offers so much assistance, whether it be through the thousands of dollars in scholarships, the memorable people you meet, the helpful mentors you get, the rigorous and personalized coursework involved, or the business visits that connect you to the rest of the world.

One key piece of advice that I carried with me throughout all of college is that it does not matter where you go to college, but what you do while you are there. Research has shown that if you are capable of going to the top university in the nation (which any Scholar is capable of doing), then no matter where you go, you will still have the same position, salary, and success as long as you push yourself and work towards what you want.

The Scholars Academy gives a plethora of resources not accessible to many other students, and when you become a Scholar, you seize these opportunities along with a comparatively inexpensive education that will propel you further than if you were to go to college anywhere else in the world.

RJ Dechow

What are your immediate career plans after graduation?

I plan on working full-time at Union Pacific in the Finance Department. Starting in the fall, I will start on my MBA at UNO.

What are your ultimate career goals?

My career goal is to become a financial planner and help people save and prepare for retirement. This has been a goal of mine since high school and while I will not be starting in this field right away after college, I do plan on making the switch to financial planning in the next 5-10 years.

Right now, most of the people I know are college students like myself who do not need a financial planner. Once they begin to get married, have kids, buy a house, etc., then having a financial planner will make more sense, and that is when I will make the transition.

What will you miss the most about the Scholars Academy?

I will miss working with and interacting with all of my friends that I have made in the Academy over the last few years. It was relaxing to know that when I walk into class, I already knew the entire class and was friends with the majority of the kids in the room.

A lot of my closest friends were a part of the Academy, and I will do my best to stay in constant contact with them once we all graduate. The good news is that quite a few of us will stay in Omaha for the next few years so there will be plenty of opportunities to catch up.

What is the best advice that someone has given to you as a Scholar?

Don't burn bridges. The program is the best way to meet successful people at UNO and once those bridges are burned with the other scholars, you've lost a valuable resource. I can confidently say that once I graduate UNO, I will have 15 people that I can count on to be there for me when I need advice and vice versa.

While there may be people in the Academy that are difficult to work with, having a basic level of respect and communication is key towards getting the most out of the Academy.

Dominika Jedinak

What are your immediate career plans after graduation?

Following graduation, I plan on working full-time in the Corporate Audit department at Union Pacific. I've been working at UP since November of 2016 and will continue in May.

What impact has this program had on your career goals?

This program has given me the space to reach out about any concerns that I have had about my career goals. Like any college student, I've struggled about knowing what to do. However, I haven't had to worry about where to go for help.

The Scholars Academy has multiple avenues to use for resources, from the students themselves, to the professors who teach Academy classes, to the mentors that are amazing for building connections in the Omaha area. When I've been worried about what to do with my life and convinced myself that I was in the middle of a crisis, various people in the Scholars Academy helped me settle down and evaluate my career goals.

What experiences have been most valuable to you in the Scholars Academy?

There are two experiences that I have had with the Scholars Academy that stand out as the most memorable. The first is teaching at Marrs Magnet Middle School. This was a big project that my cohort was involved in our first year in the Academy.

I value this experience because it allowed me to speak in front of a crowd that I have never spoken in front of: children. I also value education and teaching the future generations, and I am glad that I got to experience this first-hand.

The second valuable experience was traveling to Germany as a cohort. This experience allowed me to visit a part of the world that I hadn't seen before and visit places that I never would have thought to go, but ended up loving. I often think about that experience and value the time that we spent together as a cohort.

Why should a high school student consider applying to the Scholars Academy?

Any high school student would have a wonderful experience within the Scholars Academy. In my eyes, the Scholars Academy is exactly like the people within it, and any high schooler joining the program has the opportunity to shape it into something new and incredible.

The connections that are built within the Scholars Academy cannot be found anywhere else, and I know that the friendships that I have built will last long after graduation, too. It's easy to feel lonely when starting at a new school even if the area that it's in isn't new. The Scholars Academy doesn't leave room for being lonely, and it helps build the perfect environment for growth.

Emma Getzfrid

What are your immediate career plans after graduation?

I will be getting my Masters in Accounting at UNO this upcoming year, sitting for the CPA exam summer of 2020, and then will be starting as an auditor at KPMG in the fall of 2020.

What impact has this program had on your career goals?

This program provided me with valuable business connections in the Omaha area that allowed me to get two accounting internships during my undergraduate degree. I accepted a full-time job offer from one of the companies I interned at and will be starting there full-time in fall 2020, after I attain my graduate degree in accounting.

If you had to choose the three most memorable experiences or moments in the program, what would those be?

My top three most memorable experiences or moments in the program were the following: the trip to Germany, the sophomore retreat, and the applied leadership class. Spending two weeks in Germany with my cohort was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We not only learned a ton about business there, but we also learned a ton about each other.

We got to know one another on a different level after spending all day, every day with each other. The sophomore retreat was also a great memory because we were able to bond with one another and set goals for our cohort as a group. Lastly, the applied leadership class was another great memory because we were able to form a team and come up with our choice of project. My team hosted an event where students could come and make pillow cases for kids at Children's Hospital. I loved the free rein of being able to decide what project we wanted to do and being able to make it personal.

What advice do you have for current Scholars?

My advice for current scholars would be to put yourself out there as much as possible. Go to as many events, meetings, or activities as possible. Get to know as many of the other scholars as you can. Ask questions to your mentor, to Bethany, to other scholars and learn from them. Really utilize the resources the academy provides you with. Ultimately, what you put into the Scholars Academy is what you'll get out of it.

Gabrielle Estivo

What are your immediate career plans after graduation?

I plan to work in the Commercial Real Estate Industry, most likely the sales side. I recently got my Nebraska Real Estate Salesperson's license and plan to go into commercial sales within the next year.

What impact has this program had on your career goals?

The Scholars Academy has given me both the resources and the determination to pursue my career goals. The mentorship program has helped me connect with many people in the Omaha community and the professors here at UNO have been so wonderful in providing their input and assistance in helping me succeed.

What will you miss the most about the Scholars Academy?

If I had to pick what I will miss most about the Scholars Academy, I would have to say it will be the people. Let's face it, Bethany has pretty much been a second mother to me, seeing me cry happy and sad tears countless times.

I'll miss my 2015 cohort, who started as strangers and quickly became family. The all-nighters that we went through before many tests, the two weeks spent in Germany, the laughs and the tears. The people are what truly made my four years something I will never forget.

What advice do you have for current Scholars?

My advice to any current scholar is simply "don't overthink it, stop stressing." As scholars, let’s be real - we place a lot of pressure on ourselves to have everything figured out or have our lives "together." The reality of it is...college is a time for you to figure out what you do and don't want to do with your life.

It's for experimenting, for succeeding, and for failing. I remember being a freshman and thinking I had to know my major and what I wanted to do or what path I wanted to pursue right away. Looking back I wish I had been told to just STOP.

Stop overthinking your every move, stop worrying about not knowing what major to declare, stop shaming yourself for failing a class. Embrace each moment and the phases you go through because they really do fly by and at the end of it I promise you will end up right where you are meant to be.

Karina Pisetsky

What are your immediate career plans after graduation?

After graduation, I will start the Emerging Talent Program at TD Ameritrade as a Financial Analyst. This is an 18 month cohort-based program with three six month rotations in Audit, Accounting and Analysis Planning and Reporting.

After 18 months, I choose which area I enjoyed most and will continue growing in that department. I am so excited for this opportunity, as it will allow me to experience a variety of jobs and determine which one fits my strengths and interests best.

What impact has this program had on your career goals?

This program has opened a number of doors for me to try a variety of jobs and internships. My first notable job in college was at Dundee Bank. My mentor sophomore year of college was Adrian Hernandez, one of the VPs at Dundee Bank. Through my connection with him, I was able to get my foot in the door at the bank, and ultimately spent two amazing years learning and growing with the team at Dundee Bank.

Through the program, I was also able to network and meet many professionals from different companies. I was fortunate to have an internship with BKD as an audit intern the summer after my sophomore year, and throughout the next couple of years I held three other internship positions. While four internships may be slightly excessive, it really allowed me the opportunity to see if I am a good fit for different companies and if I liked the type of job.

I had some good experiences, and some not so good experiences, but all of the experiences led me to where I am now, ready and anxious to start my career as a Financial Analyst. Without the support of the Scholars Academy, and the ability to meet new people not only in the academic world but also the professional world, I would never have had the opportunities I did.

Why should a high school student consider applying to the Scholars Academy?

I know it doesn't seem like it now, but during your four years in college, you will develop and grow in ways you couldn't have imagined. The Scholars Academy will provide you with opportunities financially, academically, and personally.

Thanks to the academy, I am able to graduate debt free. Thanks to the academy I have pushed myself to always do my best work, and have developed writing, leadership, presentation, and analytical skills through the Scholars cohort classes. Lastly, thanks to the Academy, I have built lifelong friendships and memories. The Academy will require you to work hard, take up a decent amount of time, and challenge you, but I promise it is all worth it.

Rhys Hansen

What are your immediate career plans after graduation?

I will be attending Law School in the fall. I do not quite know where yet, but I have a few options. As for the summer, I plan to move back to Lincoln, work at a bank, and then detassel in late July.

Where do you see yourself in 20 years?

I see myself leaving the private sector as a lawyer and pursuing a career in politics. I will have to start small, but plan on working my way up to eventually becoming a U.S senator, or more.

What will you miss the most about the Scholars Academy?

More than anything, I will miss the group I survived college with. Since the beginning, it has been a competition, but as the years progressed and we matured, we developed connections and relationships that have the potential to last a lifetime. It was truly an amazing gift to be pushed by such a diverse and challenging group.

What advice do you have for current Scholars?

It is not all about grades or how fast you complete your undergrad education. Four years is a long time. Make more time for yourself, make more time for your friends and family, and make more time for having fun. Life is full of regrets, so do your best to not have any looking back on your time at UNO.

Trevor Koger

What are your immediate career plans after graduation?

I will intern with KPMG this summer and then I will be attending the University of Missouri in the fall as part of KPMG's Master of Accountancy in Data and Analytics program. I will complete the program and start working at KPMG full-time in fall 2020.

What impact has this program had on your career goals?

I have always had an interest in data, which led me to pursue a double major in mathematics and business administration. What I was unsure of was how this interest could result in my future career. The Scholars Academy afforded me the opportunity to visit several businesses in Omaha with a variety of business-related careers.

As a result of these visits, I discovered a company that is dedicated to data analytics education and will give me the opportunity to develop my skills in this fast-growing field.

What experiences have been most valuable to you in the Scholars Academy?

Having the opportunity to go on a two-week study abroad trip to Germany was extremely valuable to me. This trip allowed me to learn more about international business, and it provided me the opportunity to visit several different types of businesses in a foreign country.

Another valuable experience was getting to go on company visits. This allowed me to learn more about various companies in Omaha and the various benefits that these companies offer. In addition, it allowed me to determine which businesses would be a fit for me to work at in the future.

Why should a high school student consider applying to the Scholars Academy?

While being in high school, you may not know what you want to do for your future career. If you have an interest in business, you should strongly consider joining the Scholars Academy, as being a business major pairs well with any interest.

Being a part of the Scholars Academy will allow you to take challenging courses that will make you more prepared for your future career. In addition, the Scholars Academy provides numerous networking opportunities, including networking with business professionals through a mentorship program and company visits.

Zac Marquess

What are your immediate career plans after graduation?

I will be working for Goldenrod Capital Advisors in the role of a financial analyst/asset manager. Within the next couple of years, I am looking to get my masters online while I continue to work.

What impact has this program had on your career goals?

The Scholars Academy has had a tremendous impact on my undergraduate career and life. The mentors and personal relationships I have been blessed with is something I am incredibly thankful for. I have already utilized my network from the Scholars Academy in my professional real estate career.

Coming in as a freshman and graduating as a senior, there was always somebody there who cared for my success every step of the way. I can honestly say choosing to become a member of the academy was one of the best decisions I’ve made.

What experiences have been most valuable to you in the Scholars Academy?

The experiences that have been most valuable to me are the camaraderie-building moments sprinkled in over the past four years. I still very distinctly and fondly remember the college and career success class from freshman year, where we talked about our goals and aspirations with our cohort.

Friendships were formed over simple conversations and ice breaker games. Fast forward a few years, and you get to travel across the world with those very same close friends of yours. It truly was an experience you could never forget.

What advice do you have for current Scholars?

My advice for any Scholar would be to get your name out there and go for it. Bethany and many others have worked extremely hard to get our program’s name out in the community. Ask somebody you respect to coffee and see where the conversation goes.

The classroom is a great starting point, but oftentimes the best learning comes from outside of Mammel Hall. Ask yourself “why not?” Additionally, being a Scholar is a great honor, so carry yourself with pride both professionally and personally.