A True Huntsman Experience

By Steve Mortenson, 2013-14 Business Senator 

When I realize that my time at the Huntsman School is coming to an end, I am hit with a rush of conflicting emotions. Sure, I am a little sad to be leaving Logan, but I am very excited to enter the real world, and when it comes down to it, I feel quite prepared.

This feeling of preparedness is thanks to countless professors, advisors, deans and other staff members who have donated time out of their busy lives to benefit my education. My professors have done more than just prepare lectures. They have spent time in their offices with me, emailed back and forth at all hours of the day and helped me understand my potential and dreams. Dave Patel, assistant dean of students and external affairs, has taken valuable time to teach me lessons of leadership and how to motivate others to find their dreams. My academic advisors have surpassed expectations by really getting to know me. Every time I meet with them, it is like catching up with an old friend.

The Huntsman School also has many programs that have helped prepare me for my future. I have been on several career exploration trips that have helped me clarify my goals and understand the different options available in my field of study. I have also been involved with the business council, which is a group of very passionate students willing to serve. The council has worked hard to help students find their niches and get involved around the school.

The Huntsman School has also given me numerous opportunities to go beyond the classroom. This semester I am part of a group that has been tasked to help Pepperidge Farms remove waste from their production lines at their facility in Richmond, Utah. In my sales class I have had the opportunity to shadow a sales professional and reflect on their tactics of selling. This model of real world experience holds true for most of my classes, especially thoseI have taken my senior year.

I cannot think of a better place to have completed my undergraduate education. The opportunities I have had while studying at Utah State are second to none. I am so grateful for all of the hard-working individuals who have made my experience a true Huntsman Experience.

Learning How to Bleed Blue and White: My Huntsman Graduate School Experience

Tyler Nielsen

The story of my graduate school experience is best started from the end. I have been lucky enough to land a full-time position in Honeywell’s Human Resources Leadership Development Program starting this summer. This was made possible by the Huntsman School of Business Master's of Human Resources program, which has worked hard to make USU one of Honeywell’s preferred universities to recruit from. When speaking with one of Honeywell’s VP’s of HR, he commented that students at Utah State obtain a superior education without becoming arrogant, unlike some of the students from an ivy-league school they have formerly recruited from. He said, “Aggies combine a ‘white-collar’ education with a ‘blue-collar’ work ethic.” The Huntsman School of Business has helped me in gaining both of those.

When compared with some other universities that I was considering for graduate school, USU offered me a wider array of options for my education as a grad student. With faculty and administrators who care about your specific career goals, I was able to get into the MBA and MSHR programs. This provided me with the breadth and depth of study that I was looking for in my quest to become a strategic HR professional. I have watched some of my fellow students customize their own tracks by complementing their MSHR degree with a master's in accounting or a master's in information systems. If you have a dream, the graduate student faculty in the Huntsman School of Business will help you get there by providing a superior “white-collar” education.

While I have enjoyed both of my master's programs, it was the opportunity to get involved at USU that appealed to me so much when deciding where to attend. In meetings with other schools, I felt restricted in not only customizing my education, but also in making an impact and leaving a legacy at the school. At USU, I have had the opportunity to found the MSHR Association, assist in founding the Global Affairs Committee, volunteer on the Business Council, plan a career exploration trip to the Bay Area, campaign for friends in ASUSU elections, organize extra-curricular classes, run a lemonade stand on campus for Entrepreneurship Week, go on recruiting trips for my programs, mentor new students, and help my cohort members in pursuing their educations and careers. These experiences have helped me grow in my abilities to serve, lead, and interact with my peers. There have been many hard lessons and rewarding experiences along the way that I cherish as much as, or even more than, my formal education. USU has encouraged and helped me to develop a “blue-collar” work ethic.

Thanks to the supportive faculty and the ability to chart my own education, USU has helped me to acquire a “white-collar” education. I was also constantly encouraged to dig in and give back with a “blue-collar” work ethic. These two, partnered together, have set me up for a successful career after graduation. This Aggie bleeds blue and white and owes that to the Huntsman School of Business.

— Tyler Nielsen 
     Business Council 
     VP of Graduate Studies

Becoming Friends With Professors is a Key to Opportunity

I tell my younger sister that the most important thing you should do in college is to become friends with your professors. It is no secret that professors at the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business are incredible at research and at teaching. But they are also incredibly friendly and helpful. 

Jeff Parker
Business Senator

Professors can be the most invaluable resource to students. If you know a professor personally, they will introduce and suggest opportunities to you. These could be scholarships, programs, internships, jobs, or research opportunities that are incredibly vital to your education. 

One way to make friends with a professor is to make sure that your professors know you by name. How do you do this? Give intelligent comments in class, ask questions after class, or visit them in during office hours. Having a professor as a friend will make your education phenomenal. 

However, this is a two-way street. I would also recommend that professors make an effort in learning student’s names. Use your vast knowledge and networks to introduce them to education enhancing experiences. You could influence a student's mind for the better. 

As I was thinking back on my time at the Huntsman School of Business,  this is one of the reasons that I started to take advantage of my education. As a sophomore, I was floating through classes, sitting in the back. For some reason, I must have thought of a good question or given a comment because Professor Diana Thomas called after class. After talking for moment, she recommended that I applied for Koch Scholars. From that point on, she knew my name, and I was toast. Every time I would zone out or nod off in class she would call on me. I would startle back to reality and maybe stumble through an answer. It was pretty annoying at the moment but I am really grateful now. 

Although I was never accepted to the Koch Scholars, that initial two-minute conversation was my catalyst for engaging in my education. I switched my major to economics. I applied for study abroad, which I discussed with Professor Thomas during her office hours. I was researching scholarships for the trip when I learned about the Huntsman Scholar program. I applied and connections there lead me to an internship. Friends I made in the program encouraged me to run for Business Senator. Everything has snowballed from that one moment when Diana gave me some friendly advice. I have talked to many students with similar stories. Professors are the channel through which students learn about these vital opportunities. 

I invite professors to recommend to students all of the fantastic opportunities here at the Business School, and I highly recommend to all students the same advice I give me sister: make sure the professors know you by name. 

— Jeff Parker
     Business Senator
    Jon M. Huntsman School of Business 
     jeffrey.parker@aggiemail.usu.edu 

Examining the Options With Career Exploration

Center for Economic Development Conference Room

The Jon M. Huntsman School of Business has a program, called Career Exploration, that allows students to explore different career options. Earlier this year, I had the chance to participate in this awesome opportunity! We drove down to Salt Lake super early one morning and had appointments all day long. One of my favorite companies that we visited was a non-profit organization called the Center for Economic Development. This company was located on one of the top floors in a tall building. We met in their conference room where you could see the entire Salt Lake Valley out of some huge windows.

Some of our other visits included an investor, theGovernor’s office, some political campaign consultants and the Chamber of Commerce. It was such a rich experience. I learned so much! It was great to be able to take a day to think about my future. Because of that day, I have spent some time rethinking some of my goals. Being a student is the best part of my life so far! The options are endless and every day new opportunities present themselves! Utah State has opened so many doors for me. I can't wait to see what’s in store for me these next few days and months!

— Steven Mortenson
     Huntsman Student

Editor's note: This post was also featured on Utah State University's My Friends blog. You can view it here.