UA Grads Are Hot Commodities at Nationally-Known Firms

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Alabama
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<p>UA Grads Are Hot Commodities at Nationally-Known Firms</p>

<p>November 4, 2010 - Filed under: Students | Tagged: Business, College of Commerce & Business Administration, Economics</p>

<p>TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — University of Alabama students in the Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration are proving to be hot commodities for employers seeking top-notch managerial employees.</p>

<p>This semester alone, companies such as HP, Southwest Airlines and Coach have made high-profile visits to UA seeking students to fill competitive internship positions and job openings.</p>

<p>And then there is Walmart. Seven representatives from the Information Systems Division, or ISD, of Walmart, based in Bentonville, Ark., are the latest of those visiting campus to recruit UA’s highly sought after students. The visitors were at UA Nov. 1-3 speaking to classes, meeting students and conducting interviews with Management Information Systems, or MIS, students.</p>

<p>Among the seven visitors from Walmart, four are UA graduates. Currently, UA has one of the largest graduate bases at Walmart, with more than 70 employees in ISD. At least half of UA employees in ISD are at the manager level or above, and others are rising quickly within the company.</p>

<p>But what is Walmart’s real interest in recruiting UA students? According to Levey Williams, ISD recruiter, it is the UA students’ high quality that “definitely” sets them apart when it comes to finding superior employees.</p>

<p>Scott Crenshaw, ISD manager, echoes Williams and said UA graduates are at a distinct advantage when it comes to performing at high levels and understanding what it is like to work at a large company.</p>

<p>“Their senior year they work on a real company project, and that is really the biggest differentiator. Here they actually partner with real companies, like Walmart, to give them real world experience. It’s not just something simulated, and that makes the difference when they go to work,” Crenshaw said.</p>

<p>Not only is the rigorous schedule of classes and special projects of interest to the Walmart representatives, but the students’ professional conduct is something that continues to impress them.</p>

<p>“Alabama students are very professional in everything from their dress, to the way they carry themselves, to how they handle one-on-one communication,” David Kilgo, ISD director, said. He noted he was impressed by the students’ high level of comfort in professional settings.</p>

<p>Kilgo attributes the successes of C&BA’s high caliber graduates to the personal Involvement of Dr. David Hale, MIS program director, and Dr. Joanne Hale, associate professor of MIS.</p>

<p>“The two Dr. Hales are very good at preparing the students. They are highly involved, and that is obvious. Students from the C&BA program come out knowing how to conduct themselves in professional life, and I attribute that to those two,” Kilgo said.</p>

<p>Crenshaw is convinced much of the students’ success is from the opportunities they have through the Career Center Satellite for C&BA. He said students who take advantage of the Career Center’s services stand out to him by their organized resumes and interview skills.</p>

<p>“Just the fact that each and every student has the opportunity to work on their resume really makes a difference. The counselors offer career coaching and take the time to help get the wording just right on the resumes, so they really showcase what the student has accomplished. This really helps them get out there,” he said.</p>

<p>Kilgo said that UA students do not disappoint when it comes to finding future employees who will fit into Walmart’s company culture.</p>

<p>“We need well-rounded students with experience outside the classroom and in the community. They need balance, and the students here have that,” he said.</p>

<p>Walmart has made a commitment to the communities it serves and annually puts millions of dollars back into communities though service. Kilgo holds that community involvement is one of the most exciting things about the company. Walmart is looking for students who also demonstrate a connection to their communities.</p>

<p>“This shows their character and tests their leadership. Work with a community organization. If you can be successful and effective in a non-profit, then you can be a leader elsewhere,” Kilgo said.</p>

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<p>Great to hear this about UA and Walmart … thanks for the information. This will certainly help when it comes time to make a decision of which college to attend.</p>

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<p>The visitors were at UA Nov. 1-3 speaking to classes, meeting students and conducting interviews with Management Information Systems, or MIS, students.</p>

<p>I keep hearing how strong the MIS program is at Bama.</p>