KALAMAZOO, Mich.— Western Michigan University senior Spencer Gould is a finding his place in the world through his studies at the Haworth College of Business. A business analytics major, he has jumped into the exciting opportunities and experiences at WMU Haworth, starting with a rewarding internship with a company he continues to work for today.
The world of business analytics is always changing, making Gould’s area of study an exciting one. “I am very interested to see how businesses will evolve with new technology,” he says. “Artificial intelligence is already being touted as the next big revolution in business and it is being used in diverse ways with real-world impacts still being discovered. Analytics is going to transform alongside modern technology, and it will be especially important for me to learn about new products and how they will alter my responsibilities as a business analyst.”
Though Gould’s future profession holds many unknowns, his academic plan is one he can count on. With the help of the WMU Haworth academic advisors, he created a path that works for him.
“The advisors are a great resource for reaching your academic goals. I have met with them multiple times to create a plan for my graduation date with classes based on my major,” Gould says. “Initially, I had a very scattered road map of my future semesters, but when I met with the advisors, I was able to lock in a schedule that was perfect for my academic hopes in under 30 minutes.”
College life can sometimes be overwhelming. With a packed schedule, the idea of navigating the world outside of the University can seem daunting. This is why support from the college can be impactful, even for the most advanced students.
Gould took full advantage of the resources at WMU Haworth. “The events through the Student Professional Readiness Series offer impressive and useful business development skills. Resume workshops offer awesome constructive criticism for anyone’s resume,” he says. “The career fairs also provide students with the opportunity to scope out employers and learn about the participating companies while making connections with the recruiters in a professional manner.”
Obtaining experience with employers while also learning about them in the classroom can be a terrific way to prepare students for their future career. Gould says, “My classes cover real-world problems and datasets that are important when learning about the industry. Learning from these realistic scenarios allows me to have a clearer picture of what I will encounter as a young professional.”
Gould’s experiences at WMU Haworth prepared him for the next step of his journey—internships. Beginning spring of 2022, Gould had the opportunity to intern for DTE Energy. Working as a student co-op on gas major accounts and as a member of the fulfillment team, he helped to manage gas accounts for residential and industry clients. Because he did such an excellent job in his position, he still works for DTE today, with hopes of getting a full-time position after his graduation this upcoming spring.
The life of an undergraduate student can be challenging. With new experiences, difficult choices and many potential paths to take, college can truly be a time of self-discovery. Gould offers these words of advice, “Don’t be afraid to try something new or make mistakes. As young adults, we must collectively realize that this stage of life is challenging. Everyone is trying to find themselves, which makes time for self-reflection and figuring out what you want in life.”
The road to self-discovery, especially in the context of a career path, isn’t always an easy one. However, at WMU Gould has successfully made his way through hardship and into the world of business analytics one step at a time.
“When I lost my brother and my grandpa to suicide, I was very lost in life with no real idea of what I wanted,” he says. “Life will sometimes be confusing with no indication of what is to come next. That is when you must work to find your path and be your authentic self, unapologetically, while doing so.”
College is a time of learning and growth. Whether it be academic, professional or personal, WMU Haworth offers resources and services to make this period smooth and adaptable, just as Gould’s has been. He plans to pursue his MBA at WMU following his undergraduate graduation. While his time in his undergraduate studies has been full of new challenges, Gould is making his way into the business world with confidence.
Learn more about a degree in business analytics.
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