North Central College - Naperville, IL
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Business

North Central’s business department provides a high quality business education that promotes the development of students as managers, marketers, entrepreneurs and leaders as well as socially responsible individuals. The department is committed to offering programs that are not only rooted in the liberal arts but actively stress the world of work and the necessary practical skills so that graduates can succeed in their careers and future educational pursuits. 

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Ricky Gacek

Finance major

Ricky has good instincts. He chose North Central because he knew he'd have the chance to build relationships with his professors in small classes. He quickly got to know Andy Whitaker, professor of economics and finance, whom he credits with helping him land an internship with the financial services firm Robert W. Baird. "Professor Whitaker knew the managing director and put in a word for me, which led to an interview," he says. "That's just one example of the networking opportunities at North Central. Our professors have diverse and rich backgrounds in finance, so get to know them as soon as you can. It pays off!"

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Caroline Hirsch

International business major

Carolina’s international business major combined her passions for language, culture, travel and business.

While attending North Central, Carolina studied in France and China. She also worked in Mexico on an Entrepreneurship and International Business Organization (EIBO) project. As part of a three-person team seeking a Mexican distributor for a U.S. elevator company, she met with distributors, advised the company about using services provided by the U.S. Department of Commerce and served as translator. "That was probably my most interactive, hands-on business experience at North Central,” Carolina recalls. She ultimately wants to consult internationally or open new business locations in overseas markets. "I’m looking forward to working abroad throughout my career," she says.

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Matt Adorjan

Management information systems major

"When I saw that North Central offered a management information systems degree that combined my love of technology with business, I was pleased; it seemed like the perfect fit," recalls Matt. He currently serves as the Oswego School District’s Webmaster. "Working with the school district has shown me that I want to stay in an educational environment, where I can help students learn more effectively by using technology."

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Allison Paschold

Marketing major

Allison conducted the ultimate "taste test." With the help of North Central’s Career Development Center she obtained two summer internships. One involved working in production and design at Sourcebooks, Inc., a publishing company; the other required serving as an events and promotion intern at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium. "Both experiences were valuable and helped me decide what to look for in my career,” she says. "I broadened my background and got a taste of two different fields, both related to marketing/advertising in a sense."

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Andrielle Baggett

Human resource management major

Andrielle’s passion for human resource management began as an outgrowth of her internship as a human resources intern for Blue Sales and Marketing in Schaumburg, IL. She has grown to love the field even more as she explores its many aspects, including sociology, psychology, speech and business. “I learn so much in my business courses,” she says. “I enjoy participating in class discussions to better my understanding.” Andrielle has expanded her knowledge outside the classroom as well. Taking a leadership position as co-president of the Black Student Association has helped her grow professionally. “The opportunity helped me as an human resource management major to learn more about planning, development and implementation.”

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Dana Schluseman

Entrepreneurship and small business management major

Dana plans to turn a hobby into a dream job by opening her own handmade jewelry boutique. "For me, a major reason for coming to North Central was its large number of business-related clubs and organizations," she says. North Central's location also appealed to her. "There are lots of small businesses right down the street, and their owners are often willing to talk with students and share their knowledge and advice," she points out. "My internships have given me real-life experience and an understanding of business operations."

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Stephanie Ryding

Management, international business and Spanish triple major

Stephanie chose management as one of her majors because she loves to work with people. While at North Central, she discovered "a love for the personal interaction involved with education and mentoring.” This year she is combining her management degree with those newfound passions as she pursues a master's in higher education administration at Marquette University. Ultimately she hopes to work at a small liberal arts college "just like North Central."

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Claudia Chlebek

Economics major

When she arrived at North Central, Claudia knew she wanted international travel to be part of her college experience. By her senior year, she had logged 63 weeks of study abroad. She spent much of her time overseas immersed in economics research, and during one of her trips she began to ponder the significance of the free movement of people between countries that ultimately became the basis of a Fulbright Grant research proposal.

Claudia’s proposal was one of 11 chosen for work in the European Union. Just 36 hours after hearing this good news, she learned that she’d also won a second prestigious award–the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship, which funds a two-year master’s degree in economy, state and society.

Claudia credits hard work for her success. “I was determined and I strove to find all the opportunities I could. Then I made the best of those opportunities.”

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