With Thomas Blockyou
Q: What was your major at MSU and when did you graduate?
A: Marketing Management – Bachelor of Science May 2006
Q: What are you doing now?
A: I am the Associate E-Commerce Manager for New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc.
Q: How did SAA impact your time at MSU?
A: SAA/R.E.A.L. Bears helped me to not only meet new friends but it also exposed me to a vast alumni network. I was also able to make connections that helped me join other on-campus organizations like SOAR and my fraternity.
Q: What is your fondest memory at MSU or in SAA?
A: My fondest memories at MSU were always around Homecoming and the week leading up to the Saturday game.
Q: Do you have any advice for current REAL Bear members about their time in the organization or professionally?
A: Professionally, I would advise graduating students to be persistent and find a position that satisfies them professionally and personally. Every job you have a is learning experience where you’re able to meet new friends and expand you network. Also – no job is ever beneath you (just think of it as a stepping stone to your next goal).
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With Brad Welch
Q. What was your major at MSU and when did you graduate?
A. Computer Information Systems (CIS) – Bachelor of Science Summer 1993
Q. What are you doing now?
A. I work for Tableau Software as a Sales Consulting Manager. Tableau is based out of Seattle and just went public in May of this year. I get to work from my home in Kansas City and travel throughout the Midwest. I lead a team of technical sales consultants selling into enterprise customers. I am happily married for almost 15 years and have two sons.
Q. How did SAA impact your time at MSU?
It was all about the SAA members and the alumni. SAA provided opportunities for leadership and many new friendships. I enjoyed supporting all the alumni events. I fondly remember the membership drive every year and the extraordinary students in the program.
Q. What is your fondest memory at MSU or in SAA?
Too many memories from MSU! I do remember all the hard work one summer working on the SAA membership directory with Penny Maxwell and Jeremiah Mee. There were so many fun times! I will always remember meeting John Goodman during one of his visits to MSU.
Q. Do you have any advice for current REAL Bears members about their time in the organization or professionally?
Enjoy your time in REAL Bears. It goes to fast! I graduated from MSU and started work the following week at Cerner Corporation in Kansas City. Cerner has hired many MSU graduates over the years. I had a rewarding career for 14 years in software engineering. Afterwards I moved into technical sales and worked for SAP based out of Newtown Square, PA. Then I moved on to Tableau Software based in Seattle, WA.
My advice in job hunting is to remember two things. 1). There are companies outside of the region looking for strong graduates from MSU. I never would have thought someday I would work for a start-up based in Seattle. 2). Evolving from computer programming to a technical sales role is something I would have never predicated when I graduated. Your career will be a journey and hopefully full of exciting twists and turns!
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With Stephanie Warnhoff
Stephanie was a the former President of R.E.A.L. Bears and served as the graduate assistant while working on her masters at MSU.
Q. What was your major at MSU and when did you graduate?
A. I got an undergraduate degree in marketing research, graduating in 2009, and a Masters of Business Administration, graduating in 2010
Q. What are you doing now?
A. I currently live in Lansing, Michigan with [my] husband, also a Missouri State grad (2010). I work for a software company in Okemos, Michigan called TechSmith. We make screen capture and screen recordings tools for education, business, and personal consumers. I work in the marketing department there, doing all of TechSmith’s market research. I meet with stakeholders, plan projects, develop questionnaires or moderator’s guides, conduct the research, analyze the data, and present to those stakeholders. I am kind of a one-woman shop, and I love it! I also attended the Corporate Researcher’s Conference in Dallas this year, where I was asked to speak on growing your market research program. I spend a lot of my free time cooking, running, and enjoying Michigan State football. Go Green!
Q. How did SAA impact your time at Missouri State?
A. R.E.A.L. Bears had a great impact on my college experience. R.E.A.L. Bears was the very first student organization I joined as a freshman. I met some of my first college friends there and really enjoyed my time with the group. I was pretty far from home, with not a lot of friends when I started college. R.E.A.L. Bears really helped give me a sense of community and offered me a lot of opportunities to serve Missouri State, as well as give back to the community. I loved R.E.A.L. Bears so much that I served as president of the organization for two years, and then continued on as the graduate assistant for R.E.A.L. Bears and Alumni Relations while getting my MBA
Q. What is your fondest memory at Missouri State or in SAA?
I especially loved working the skyboxes during football season. It’s a great view of the game, air conditioned or heated, and you get to network and meet a lot of really great MSU supporters. It was so fun to watch MSU football with some of my good friends, and help out skybox patrons, as well. Plus, I love football, so it was a win-win!
Q. Do you have any advice for current R.E.A.L. Bears members about their time in the organization or professionally?
A. R.E.A.L. Bears is a great organization [in which] to make friends and learn a lot more about the university. It’s also a great opportunity to network and learn from other students about their career goals as well as get connected with prominent alumni and supporters of the university. They certainly might be able to help fellow students get internships or jobs. Enjoy it!
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With Rebecca Bereitschaft
Rebecca Bereitschaft was thankful to have the opportunity to share some of her experiences with R.E.A.L. Bears. As a former R.E.A.L. Bear, Rebecca feels it gave her skills she uses today.
Q. What was your Missouri State major and year of graduation?
A. I graduated from Missouri State in May 2010 with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing with an emphasis in advertising and promotions
Q. What sparked your interest to get involved in the Student Alumni Association/R.E.A.L. Bears?
A. I’ve always been the type of person to get involved in a variety of organizations. I really enjoyed the leadership that R.E.AL. Bears possessed and there weren’t many people in the organization at the time. I wanted to be involved in a growing organization and to make a difference on and off campus
Q. Could you talk about your current position?
A. I currently work for Enterprise Holdings. I started with the company in July 2011 after working a full-time job with CVS pharmacy as a shift supervisor. I started with Enterprise as a management trainee, which is the entry level position of the company. Basically it’s where everyone in the company starts with being on the sales side of the company and renting vehicles. After about a year in rental I knew I needed a change. I got promoted in mid-December 2012 in the sales and marketing department. I’m currently an account representative for Enterprise where I work with multiple insurance companies and body shops on a daily basis. I can honestly say that I love my job and I enjoy going to work every day!
Q. How did being a member of SAA/R.E.A.L. Bears affect your life?
A. Being a member of R.E.A.L. Bears affected my life tremendously. I gained a lot of skills from being in the organization and holding a leadership position as well. I learned the basics of how to approach those with a higher authority, how to handle yourself in a variety of situations, and I made a lot of lasting friendships. Because of R.E.A.L. Bears I continue to participate in events with my Alma Mater and continue to build strong relationships with my fellow alumni
Q. Do you have any advice for current SAA/R.E.A.L. Bears members?
A. The best advice I can give for current R.E.A.L. Bears members is to be passionate about the organization and what it has to offer. Get involved and be yourself. Do not be afraid to bring new ideas to the table. Remember that being a member of R.E.A.L. Bears is a privilege and you get to do a lot of things that most fellow students do not, so be proud of that and show it! Oh and have fun and just enjoy your time in it because graduation will come before you know it!
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With Chelsea Clark
Chelsea Clark is a former President of R.E.A.L. Bears. She is currently a Graduate Assistant at Missouri State University with great advice to give current R.E.A.L. Bears members.
Q. What was your Missouri State major and year of graduation?
A. Hospitality and Restaurant Administration Spring 2010
Q. What sparked your interest to get involved in the Student Alumni Association/R.E.A.L. Bears?
A. I was approached by my HRA advisor who encouraged me to apply for a spot with R.E.A.L Bears. She had great things to say about the opportunities that R.E.A.L Bears could present to me, and I was excited to be involved in an organization other than my sorority.
Q. Could you talk about your current position?
A. Currently I am a Graduate Assistant for the College of Natural and Applied Sciences. I help the Dean with special projects and college wide events including scholarship dinners and emeritus receptions. I am currently perusing a master’s degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education.
Q. How did being a member of SAA/R.E.A.L. Bears affect your life?
A. Being a member of R.E.A.L Bears really gave me a passion for higher education and a respect for what the Alumni office does. It is really because of my R.E.A.L Bears experience that I decided to return to MSU to pursue my master’s degree in Student Affairs.
Q. Do you have any advice for current SAA/R.E.A.L. Bears members?
A. My advice would be to get involved as much as possible. Volunteering for events that maybe are not super fun or at the most convenient time can sometimes lead to meeting the most interesting people who can open many doors for you as a student as well as a future grad of MSU.
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With Tammi Krones
Business Teacher/SBE Coordinator
Lee’s Summit High School, Lee’s Summit, Mo.
Q. What is your hometown and where do you currently reside?
A. My hometown is Liberty, Mo. I currently reside in Independence, Mo.
Q. What was your Missouri State major and year of graduation?
A. I graduated in 1990 from then Southwest Missouri State with a BS in Accounting and BA in Marketing; then again in 1992, with a Master’s in Education with Business Education Certification.
Q. What prompted you to get involved in SAA?
A. I wanted to be more involved at the university and had the opportunity to work in the Alumni Office. So, when Julie Ebersold started looking into chartering an SAA organization at SMS, I was fortunate enough to be a part of that. I really enjoyed getting to play a role in the charter membership. Not only did I get to meet fellow students, but I had the opportunity to network with alumni and staff members. I have developed many wonderful friendships and working relationships over the years from my SAA connections.
Q. What is your fondest SAA memory?
A. Traveling to SAA conferences in Wichita, Kan., Bangor, Maine and at Clemson University to interact with other SAA members from other universities. It was a great experience to get to travel to other schools to see their programs and to learn from fellow SAA members.
Q. Any advice for current SAA/R.E.A.L. Bears members?
A. Participate in as many events as you can. You will get as much out of an organization as you put into it. This wonderful organization offers unique opportunities to travel, as well as be involved with staff members and community leaders. The events you participate in as SAA/R.E.A.L. Bears members will last a lifetime. You not only get to represent Missouri State, but you get to learn from alumni and can create wonderful working relationships that can help you throughout your life. The alumni center is an integral part of Missouri State and getting to play a role in it is an everlasting experience.
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With Kara Kulda
Vice President/Relationship Manager
US Bank, Minneapolis, Minn.
Q. What is your hometown and where do you currently reside?
A. I am originally from Stockton, Mo. and currently reside in Plymouth, Minn. (suburb of Minneapolis), where I have lived for the past 17 years.
Q. Talk about your current position.
A. Minneapolis is the headquarters for U.S. Bank. I have worked at U.S. Bank for almost 12 years. I started my career at the bank as a Risk Manager for the bank’s consumer portfolio, identifying strengths and weaknesses in our various portfolios, stress testing the portfolios, etc. For the past 6 years, I have worked in The Private Client Group, where I am a Vice President/Relationship Manager. I manage the banking and investment relationship for affluent clients in the Twin Cities.
Q. What was your major and year of graduation?
A. I graduated in May 1989 with a BS in Finance and General Business, with an emphasis in Investments.
Q. What is your fondest SAA memory?
A. Being the inaugural SAA group of course! I appreciated the opportunity to interact with alumni and represent the University. Another fond memory is of Julie Ebersold, whom I still keep in contact with today. She was a fantastic role model in how she remained cool despite all the pressures of her job.
Q. Any advice for current SAA/R.E.A.L. Bears members?
A. Enjoy your college years. Live your life to the fullest and dream BIG!
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With Annette Wardell
Former Student Alumni Association member Annette Wardell was one of SAA’s first members when the organization began in 1987. She was invited to be a charter member of the organization, and that was an opportunity that Wardell could not pass up.
Q. What was your Missouri State major and year of graduation?
A: I earned a BS in chemistry in 1988.
Q: What was significant to you about being a member of SAA?
A: Meeting new people and attending University events that I otherwise wouldn’t know about (like Alumni and Booster events). Being involved with other student leaders on campus was a joy- one year we even put a member up for Homecoming Queen!
Q: What was your most meaningful experience in SAA?
A: I mostly remember the people- fellow students and sponsor Julie Ebersold. It all comes down to relationships.
Q: How are you currently using your education?
A: After graduating from Missouri State, I attended University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine, then Cox Family Medicine Residency. I am a physician at the Taylor Health and Wellness Center here at Missouri State. My specialty is Family Medicine. I truly enjoy getting to know the students, staff and faculty and their families- it really has become a family practice for me.
Q: How did being a part of SAA impact your life?
A: Being a SAA member has helped with my leadership skills, especially interacting with a wide variety of people. I was also a SOAR leader, so I became good at setting others at ease, guiding them in decision-making and making them feel welcome; but I had to learn to be comfortable in any situation. Growing up poor had me at a disadvantage socially, so SAA provided me with opportunities to see a “different” world- one that I would frequently encounter as a doctor (like dinner meetings and other social events).