Jeffrey Wang, a freshman majoring in supply chain, information and analytics, describes it as one of the most important courses you can take at Purdue.

“It gives indispensable career tips that help you to build a resume, develop a particular brand, and learn how to build an extensive network,” he says. “The alumnus I connected with was a manager at Amazon who promoted the company’s inclusive working environment, opportunities for promotion and positive company culture. My interview with him encouraged my interest in the field of supply chain, and motivated me to pursue more opportunities into activities I’m passionate about.”

Dakota Bliler, a sophomore accounting and general management major, concurs.

"MGMT 295 is ideal for the rising Krannert leader because it hones key professional skills,” she says. “My favorite aspect of the course was the mock interview where students refine their skills while still engaging with real recruiters. I was fortunate enough to earn an internship through this exercise and will always be grateful for such a beneficial opportunity."

MGMT 295Dhruv Patel, a sophomore majoring in economics and finance, says the course structure kept him engaged throughout the semester. “Students with and without professional experience can engage and learn something each day,” he says. “I now feel a sense of preparedness and confidence at career fairs and networking events that I had not possessed before completing the course.”

The course also has been a hit with alumni participants, including Jeff Powers (BSIM ’79), a retired former executive at IBM Global Services.

“As someone who has recruited talent nationally in consulting and business development, I can quickly size up a school’s professional and career development programs based upon how the typical student performs at a career fair or in other informal settings,” he says. “The Krannert students who have taken MGMT 295 are, by and large, at a much higher level of career professionalism than students from other schools. They are on par with many MBA students.”

While students and alumni alike are quick to give credit to the instructors for their management of the course, Linn and Chapman say the efforts of Amber Perkins and Jackie Knotts from Krannert’s alumni relations team were invaluable.

“The reality is that we couldn’t offer this course without the involvement and engagement of our alumni,” Linn says. “Amber and Jackie worked tirelessly to ensure that students were paired with an alumni or professional working in their area of interest.”

And more changes are coming in fall 2018, she adds.

“Although the alumni connect activity gave students the chance to interact with alumni anywhere in the world, the mock interview portion of the course drew mostly from alumni who lived closer to campus because it required face-to-face interaction,” Linn explains.

“Making it a hybrid course that allows for online learning opportunities will help address those geographic limitations and increase engagement among alumni and recruiters by creating specialty groups that allow participants to customize their experience around particular topics.”

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