Q&A with Caitlin Allen
What is the most exciting professional or academic experience you’ve had thus far?
The highlight of my college career has been my role as a learning community assistant for the business learning community in Harrison/Stinson Hall on WMU’s campus. I enjoyed helping new residents with their classes and with their transition to college. I also made great friends on staff while working there.
How is the Haworth College of Business helping prepare you to reach your academic and professional goals?
The Zhang Career Center’s externship program helped me realize what the day-to-day might look like at an advertising agency, and it allowed me to get to know multiple professionals in different departments at the ad agency I visited.
I really like how the Haworth College of Business helps its students learn about the various business paths you can take through events like Major Match-Up and Business Bash. Even now, the college is helping me by offering many virtual opportunities to interact with employers by hosting career fairs and alternate Student Professional Readiness Series activities.
What co-curricular activities have you participated in?
During my first year, I was in the marching band, the Business Association of Mentors and AdClub. Being part of the Bronco marching band helped me grow my organizational and time management skills, and it connected me to amazing people. My mentor in BAM helped me by encouraging me to be involved on campus.
Currently, I am the president of AdClub. This is my fourth year as a member of the organization and my third on the executive board. I have gotten to network with many employers from the advertising industry, attend advertising career fairs in Detroit and Chicago, and learned more about different careers in the advertising world. AdClub has also allowed me to make lifelong friends who are also pursuing a path in advertising.
How have you adjusted to the changes in higher education during COVID-19? Do you think there have been any benefits to learning in a more virtual world?
I have adjusted fairly well to the switch to virtual education because of COVID-19. For me, the struggle has been collaborating on assignments as a group. But, I like the benefit of listening to some class lectures at my own pace, so I’m able to make sure I don’t miss any information.