What can a Tabor Education Get You?

These seniors have jobs waiting for them after graduation. See how they did it, and check back to hear from more students.

Meghan

Employer: State Farm Insurance
Location: Bloomington, IL
Millikin Major: Applied Mathematics, Business Management minor
Millikin Activities: Delta Delta Delta Sorority, Student Senate, student representative to the Board of Trustees, student representative to the Oakwood Business Association, Student Honors Advisory Committee, Pi Mu Epsilon Honorary Mathematics Society, Phi Kappa Phi honor society

How’d I do it?
Internships—I worked as an actuarial intern this summer at State Farm, where I completed a comprehensive territorial analysis project and did legislative research. I also did an internship the summer before as a Kemper Scholar Intern for Kids In Danger.

Did I have help?
Definitely—the math and business classes I’ve taken taught me how to think, which in turn helped me adapt and learn the skills needed for my job. Also, the Kemper Scholars Program gave me the confidence, independent learning skills, and experience to excel in the workplace.

The result?
At the end of my internship, I was offered a job as an Actuarial Analyst Trainee. I’ll be working in either pricing or research for the Property and Casualty Actuarial Department.

Kendrick

Employer: Edward Jones
Location: St. Louis, MO
Millikin Major: Marketing, International Business
Millikin Activities: Alpha Phi Alpha, Black Student Union, Service Learning Scholar, LASSO, Rotaract

How'd I do it?
The key is internships. I spent four summers working for Edward Jones, a financial investments company, in Decatur and St. Louis. I didn't know a lot about finance when I started, but by the fourth summer, I had learned the ropes. I learned by checking out the company from every angle—marketing, finance, even customer service. In the end, Edward Jones knew me—who I was and how I could fit into their company.

Did I have help getting there?
You bet. I worked with Millikin's Tabor School of Business and with INROADS, a group that helps minorities find internships nationwide.

The result?
This past August, Edward Jones made me an offer. I accepted! I’m going to be a financial advisor for Edward Jones' St. Louis division. So I know what I'm doing and I've been well prepared both in class and out. I’m ready.

Courtney

Employer: Archer Daniels Midland
Location: TBA
Millikin Major: Chemistry with Business Emphasis
Millikin Activities: Delta Sigma Phi-Scholarship Committee, Edge Mentor, Long-Vanderburg Scholar, Phi Beta Lambda –President (Business Fraternity), Sigma Zeta (Science Honor Society), Student Ambassador

How’d I do it?
I think the key to getting my position was applying early. I tried to stay ahead of the curve. I knew that most students would start applying mid October, early November. I applied the first week of September and I think that helped. Also my internship and major helped. My major really made me stick out—it’s pretty unique.

Did I have help?
Yes—through a summer internship. I worked as an intern at EPL Bio Analytical Services located in Harristown, Illinois this summer. I developed sales strategies for two isolated soy proteins and completed the sale of EPL’s first tangible product ever.

The result?
I took a position as a commodity trader trainee. I’ll buy and sell commodities based on the supply and demand of the market; ADM will then use these commodities to produce other value added goods. I don’t know where I’ll be assigned yet—ADM has such a dominant presence not only nationwide but globally, that I could be anywhere. It’s pretty exciting.

Keanon

How’d I do it?
It takes more than one internship. First I interned for Tate & Lyle here in Decatur. That experience made me stand out to State Farm recruiters at a Millikin career fair. It took several interviews to land my 11-week summer internship with State Farm.

Did I have help?
My MIS professors were a huge help. Because of their local ties with Tate & Lyle and the close relationships I had with them, they helped me get that first internship. And I definitely learned things in class that I used on the job.

The result?
In my final evaluation at the send of the summer, my supervisors at State Farm were happy with the work I did and offered me a position. So I’ll be back working in the internet financials department—this time as a full-time employee. Now, I’m pretty excited to graduate since I have my job!

Devin

How’d I do it?
It’s all about internships. I worked for four summers in information technology for Save-A-Lot, a national grocery store chain. I did lots of different jobs—analyzing systems, generating reports—so I know this company well. And Save-A-Lot knew me and my skills: I was actually offered positions in programming and analysis. I wanted a challenge, so I took an analyst position.

Did I have help?
Of course. Millikin’s connections with INROADS, a group that helps minorities find internships nationwide, helped me find the job, and my MIS professors really prepared me for the job. They taught me how a computer works.

The result?
After my fourth internship, my supervisor asked me if I was interested in a full-time job, and I was like, yeah! After graduation I’ll be a test analyst 1 at Save-A-Lot’s headquarters in Earth City, Missouri.

Shareef

How’d I do it?
First-hand experience through internships. I worked for Deloitte Tax LLP in Chicago for two summers. In two internships I learned a lot about Deloitte: the first summer, I did mostly administrative work to learn the ins and outs of the company and how they do their accounting. The second summer I got to do actual accounting work. They totally prepared me for the job.

Did I have help?
Definitely. I got guidance from INROADS, a group that helps minorities find internships nationwide, and was able to use the things I learned in my taxation classes.

The result?
At the end of the summer Deloitte offered me a full-time position and I was happy to accept. I’ll be a private client advisor in their downtown Chicago office. I’m excited about the job, but I am definitely going to miss Millikin.

Nico

Employer: State Farm
Location: Bloomington, IL
Millikin Major: MIS
Millikin Activities: UCB, Delta Sigma Phi, IFC, Alpha Phi Omega, Phi Beta Lambda, NRHH, Millikin Cycling Association, intramurals

How’d I do it?
I worked at State Farm for two summers, the first as a Business Analyst and the second as a System Analyst.

Did I have help?
My MIS professor, Dr. Luann Stemler, pointed me in the right direction with people she knew at State Farm. Then I went to a Millikin career fair and showed the State Farm rep my resume.

The result?
I’ll be a System Analyst working for the Internet Auto Rate Quote team working with PL/1 programming on the main frame. At Millikin I got a well-rounded education where I was able to pick up on different things very quickly and I was able to approach problems with an open mind.