Big Apple Bearcats: UC Clermont Students Network with Alumni in NYC

Twelve students from UC Clermont College recently learned about networking firsthand — by rubbing elbows with industry leaders and UC alumni in the business capital of the world.

The students spent March 10-17 in New York City on an experiential learning trip organized by Rob Rude, a visiting instructor in UC Clermont’s Business, Law and Technology Department, and Monika Royal-Fischer, the college’s director of Career Services. The spring break trip was open to all UC Clermont students.

Participants met with top executives at publisher McGraw-Hill Education; debt and financing experts at Wells Fargo; and the executive director of athletics for the City University of New York (CUNY). They also talked with UC alumni David Golush, a 1966 graduate of UC’s Lindner College of Business who works for wealth management company New Legacy Group; and Randall Weis, a 1973 UC graduate who is president and founder of RD Weis Companies and The Flooring Solutionists.

“The best part of the trip was talking with so many business people in New York who had made it, especially the UC alumni,” said Jacob Bradford, a Pre-Business Administration major at UC Clermont. “I learned a lot about their mindsets, and now I’m pumped to get an internship. I teared up as the plane left New York. I miss all the great people I met, and the beautiful city. It was definitely a once in a lifetime experience.”

The group also made time to site-see throughout the iconic city, visiting Wall Street and the New York City Stock Exchange, taking in a Brooklyn Nets game and nabbing tickets to a Broadway show. Rude said that the overall purpose of such experiences, including past trips to Atlanta, Portland and even regular visits to downtown Cincinnati, is to expose students to possibilities outside their comfort zone.

“The real goal is to show students the world outside of the bubble we live in, professionally and culturally,” Rude said. “We connect with alumni first, then focus on building students’ professional networks and exposing them to different career and internship opportunities. It’s an invaluable experience.”

Ami Harvey, a non-traditional student and mom, will graduate from UC Clermont this April with her associate degree in Business Management Technology, plans to stay at the college for two more years to complete her Bachelor of Technical and Applied Studies. Harvey participated in the Atlanta trip in 2017 and knew she couldn’t miss the New York experience. She said that once again, the importance of networking was a prominent takeaway.

“The trip really brought home the point that you should network with as many people as you can and continue to stay in touch with connections you make,” Harvey said. “I also enjoyed learning from all the business associates how they chose their careers, and as a non-traditional student, how to face the work world when you have not been away for a while.”

To learn more about UC Clermont’s experiential learning opportunities, contact Monika Royal-Fischer at 513-732-5277 or

monika.royal-fischer@uc.edu

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