College Experiences That Helped An ERP Project Manager At Cemstone Products Company Succeed
Thomas's undergraduate success stemmed from "being curious, uh, being willing to explore interests," leading to unexpected career discoveries. Building relationships with professors, advisors, and peers helped refine their goals and ensured a more confident and prepared transition into their ERP Project Manager role.
Career Exploration, Networking, Communication, Relationship Building, Self-Reflection
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Thomas Becken
ERP Project Manager
Cemstone Products Company
St. Olaf College, 2015
UCLA Anderson MBA
Economics
Architecture, Construction & Design
Operations and Project Management
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Greek Life Member
Video Highlights
1. Explore diverse interests beyond initial expectations.
2. Build relationships with professors, advisors, and peers for guidance and support.
3. Actively share your thoughts and goals to clarify your career aspirations and receive valuable feedback.
Transcript
What did you do in undergrad to set you up for success in your career?
I think it really started for me by just being curious and willing to explore your interests, even if they're way outside of what you initially thought you'd be doing in school. You just never know what's going to click for you.
Coming into undergrad, I thought I knew everything, and that can be humbling quite quickly. The sooner you learn that, the better, I think.
Also, I think just talking to as many people as you can is important. It might sound strange, but any sort of professor or advisor is there to help you; they're excited to help you. The more time you spend creating relationships with them, that's really going to shape who you become.
And it doesn't only have to be an authority figure. Even with other students, being able to share your thoughts, dreams, and goals helps you better form what you want. What you're saying might not always be what you're actually meaning, and people like that can really help you work through that. That will push you out of undergrad much more prepared for and excited for your next step.