Skip to main content

The Weekly Update – Professional & Online MBA: Nov. 5, 2015

Program News & Announcements

Join Us for the Innovative Women’s Conference – Nov. 13

IWC_logo

There are still tickets available for the annual Innovative Women’s Conference, bringing together women from around the Triangle area – from graduate students to entrepreneurs to corporate executives – for discussion and hands-on learning in the areas of business innovation, science, technology and entrepreneurship.  The conference will be held at the Talley Student Union next Friday, November 13, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m..  A networking social will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, November 12 at HQ Raleigh.

Students can purchase tickets for both events for only $15 . Tickets for both students and the general public are available here.

Proceeds from the event will be donated to Women for Success.

 

Register Now for Spring Break Trendspotting Course – Deadline Nov. 11

November 11 is the deadline to register for the Spring Break Study Abroad course in London   Dr. Colbey Reid will lead students in “Trendspotting for Culture & Design” in this 3-credit course. For more information, e-mail Dr. Reid, cereid@ncsu.edu.

The deadline to register for Innovation and Marketing Systems in Munich is December 1st. Dr. Jon Bohlmann is leading this trip and is faculty instructor for this 3-credit course. More information about Munich can be found on the MBA website and the NCSU study abroad website.

Academic Advising Update

Our academic advisor for Online MBA students, Sarah Pickel, is back in the office.  Please send any advising requests or questions to her at sarahadvising@ncsu.edu.

All students must view the academic advising syllabus and, after reading it,  sign the Academic Advising Contract Form confirming that you have read and understand expectations. Please note that your advising hold for spring will not be lifted until you complete and submit this form. You will not be able to register for Spring classes when your window comes up until you complete this assignment. 

For information on advising holds,  individual appointment availability, drop-in advising hours, course schedules, and/or registration information, please visit the Spring 2016 Advising and Registration page on our website.

Career Management Center

RSVP by Friday – Industry Insights Day – Nov. 9

Discover your career path – 
Network with professionals from 15 companies!

Take advantage of this opportunity to develop new relationships and converse with established professionals. This is a networking event where you can circulate among tables organized by areas of interest and take part in Q&A in a small group format – while eating ice cream.  We will conclude with a group networking session.

Industry Insights Day will take place in Talley Student Union from 3:45 – 5:45 pm on November 9.

Participating employers include: AICPA, Red Hat, First Citizens Bank, SAS, Patheon, Kuehne + Nagel, and The Umstead Hotel and Spa … and the list continues to grow!

Industry Insights Day for Full-Time, Online & Professional MBA and GLM students
Monday, November 9, 2015, 3:45pm- 5:45pm
Talley Student Union- Mountains Ballroom
Please RSVP on Joblink (Events>Workshops) by 5 pmFriday, November 6, 2015

Lessons from a CEO with Steve Zelnak, retired CEO & Chairman, Martin Marietta Materials – Nov. 19

The Poole College of Management Development Office and the Jenkins CMC present “A Conversation with Steve Zelnak,” featuring Ira R. Weiss, Dean and Stephen P. Zelnak Jr., Chair, Poole College of Management, interviewing Steve Zelnak, retired CEO and Chairman of Martin Marietta Materials. After a brief conversation with Dean Weiss, Steve Zelnak will open the floor for questions and discussion with students.

Thursday, November 19, 2015, 6pm – 8pm
Carol Johnson Poole Club House, 1509 Main Campus Drive, NC State University Centennial Campus
Dress code: Business casual
Cost: Free.  Attendees, please RSVP on Joblink by 11:59 p.m., Tuesday, November 17, 2015

At this event, mingle with fellow MBA’s over wine and cheese, and learn from a former chairman and chief executive officer and current entrepreneur. Meet one of North Carolina’s most successful business leaders, Steve Zelnak, Jr. and hear directly from Steve about his career path, his experience managing and growing a multi-million dollar global company through significant changes and challenges, and his newest role as a serial entrepreneur, growing new businesses in different sectors of industry. Bring your questions – he is excited to talk with you!

About Steve Zelnak, Jr. – Steve Zelnak is non-executive Chairman and former CEO (retired) of Martin Marietta Materials, a leading producer of construction aggregates, dolomitic lime, and magnesia chemicals. Mr. Zelnak served as CEO of the company from 1993 to 2010 and was responsible for taking the company public on the New York Stock Exchange in 1994.

Professional Events & Networking

Shoestring Marketing: Differentiate Yourself on a Budget – Nov. 19

Being asked to get big results with little to no marketing budget? This panel will discuss how to get creative with your marketing, including sharing pro tips for marketing on a tight budget. You will learn how to leverage the network in your industry, tap into your passion and be authentic in your marketing.  The panel includes:

Scott Crawford, head chef and co-owner of the brand-new Standard Foods
Sam Ratto, chocolatier and co-owner of the magical Videri Chocolate Factory
Lionel Vatinet, passionate master baker and co-owner of La Farm Bakery

Find out how they manage to differentiate themselves in a crowded market. You will be able to use the skills you learn to stand out among your competitors and nail your marketing.

Thursday, November 19, 2015, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Brier Creek Country Club, 9400 Club Hill Drive, Raleigh
Click here to register

YPN: Analytics, Big Data, and the Internet of Things – Nov. 19

Join us on Nov. 19 from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. to hear from Michael Rappa, Ph. D, Goodnight director, distinguished professor, and founder of the NC State Institute for Advanced Analytics. Rappa will moderate a panel discussion that introduces the topics of Big Data and analytics and discusses how new trends and technologies are shaping our future.  Panelists include:
Paul Kent, vice president of Big Data at SAS Institute, Inc.
Bruce Thompson II, partner, Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP
Bill Nowicki, vice president of Ticket Operations, Carolina Hurricanes
Aric LaBarr, Ph.D, assistant professor of analytics, NC State Institute for Advanced Analytics

The MBA program still has two tickets to this event. E-mail Claire Jefferies, csjeffer@ncsu.edu, for more information.

Student Clubs and Events

Volunteer with the Supply Chain Club

Join the Supply Chain Club and volunteer at Habitat for Humanity’s Donation Center on Saturday, November 14th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Students will help unload items from trucks, prepare the sales floor, and help customers.  The group is limited to 10 volunteers. E-mail Lauren McGuire, Supply Chain Club President, at lcmcguir@ncsu.edu if you are interested in volunteering; she’ll send you more information and instructions on how to sign up!

Meet the Jenkins MBA Assistant Dean:  The Weekly Spotlight

nichole-miller

NAME:   Nichole Miller
TITLE:   Assistant Dean, Jenkins MBA program
HOMETOWN:   Rochester, NY
PREVIOUS DEGREES:  M.S. in Higher Education and Educational Administration, University of Rochester; B.A. in Psychology, State University of NY at Buffalo

Q:  Now that you’ve been on the job a couple of weeks, what do you enjoy the most about your new role in the Jenkins MBA program?
A:  The people. Since starting with the Jenkins MBA program at the beginning of October, I have had the opportunity to meet a lot of new people to include students, faculty and staff.  So far everyone has been very welcoming and more than willing to spend time with me to help me learn more about them, their role as well as the organization. As a result of these conversations I am excited to work collaboratively across the organization in an effort to develop new programs and initiatives that enhance the overall end-to-end experience for the students in the various MBA programs.

Q:  Tell us something about yourself that we might be surprised to find out.
A:    #1 – During my undergraduate years I was a member of the crew team.   #2 – Ever since I was a little girl, I have been told that I look like Jodie Foster.  This happened on a daily basis and it hit new levels when ‘Silence of the Lambs’ came out as Jodie and I had the exact same haircut.  I must admit that I feel like I am watching myself as she walks down those dark stairs into the cellar.

Q:  Having worked in the business world for a few years, what advice would you want to give to your younger self, based on what you’ve learned?
A:  Timing is everything – both professionally and personally.  Don’t get discouraged if something doesn’t work out when you think it should – it just means that you are being redirected to the path you need to and should be on.

Q:  What do you do to relax when you’re not working – are there hobbies, sports, or games that you enjoy?
A:  Spending time with my son who is six.  Admittedly chasing around after a six-year old doesn’t seem to be the most relaxing activity but I absolutely love this age.  He is an amazing little person who loves to play games, go biking, watch movies and bake; his general curiosity about everything is adorable and I love the questions and rationale that come out of his mouth.

Q:  We saved the most controversial question for last:  You previously worked for a rival “blue” school that shall remain nameless.  When game time comes around, will we find you wearing Wolfpack Red & White, or are your loyalties divided?
A:  Great question!  I already have a lot of red in my wardrobe [Go Bucks!] so I think it is safe to say that I came into this position already having a nice mix of red, [dark] blue and white in my wardrobe. With that being said, I am intentionally adding more red to my day-to-day life and working on my wolf hand sign!

Dates to Remember/Upcoming Events

November 9 – Industry Insights Day (RSVP on Joblink by 5 pmFriday, Nov. 6)
November 11 – Deadline to register for Spring Break Study Abroad in London 
November 13Innovative Women’s Conference
November 19 – Lessons from a CEO with Steve Zelnak (RSVP on JobLink by Nov. 17)
November 19 – YPN: Analytics, Big Data, and the Internet of Things
November 25 – Thanksgiving Vacation begins
December 1 – Deadline to register for Summer Study Abroad in Munich
December 4 – Last day of classes
December 7-8 – Supply Chain Resource Cooperative Semi-Annual Partners Meeting
December 17 – MBA Graduation Celebration, 5:30 – 7 pm
December 18 – Fall 2015 Graduation