The Master Plan for January 13, 2011

The Master Plan for January 13, 2010

Get serious about your job hunt

Be the first to meet company recruiters at the College of Business’ Corporate Networking Night, at 7 p.m. next Wednesday, Jan. 19, at the Center for Global and Multicultural Engagement, 110 S. Woodward Ave., next to FSU Career Center. All full-time MBAs are expected to attend, and the event is open to all master’s students. Quick checklist: Wear a suit and your nametag. Bring business cards. Post your resume at SeminoleLink by this Friday. Remember to RSVP. Networking night is held after the Engineering Day Career Expo, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan. 19 at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, 2525 Pottsdamer St., and the night before the universitywide Seminole Futures Career Expo 9 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m. Jan. 20 at the Leon County Civic Center, 505 W. Pensacola St.

Cheer on case-competition team

MBA students (from left) Efren Blackledge, Eric Klein, Kevin Kronawitter and Casey Terrell will represent the FSU College of Business at the Florida Intercollegiate Case Competition in Tampa on Feb. 10-11 and compete for a $10,000 grand prize. Faculty members Don Autore (FIN), Lise Diez-Arguelles (MAN), Larry Giunipero (MAN), Tim Holcomb (MAN) and Doug Stevens (ACG) served on the panel choosing this year’s team participants. To try out for the team, each student presented a 10-minute analysis of an assigned case for the faculty panel.

Attention, graduates

Friday, Jan. 21 is the final day to register for spring graduation. Students need to “apply for graduation” through the registrar’s graduation website. When prompted, MBA students should choose “Master of Business Administration.” Students must apply for graduation regardless of whether they will participate in graduation events.

Graduation weekend includes the Master’s Hooding Ceremony at 6 p.m. on Friday, April 29 and the campuswide commencement on Saturday, April 30. Graduates need to wear their cap and gown, which should be ordered Jan. 31-Feb. 11 from the Florida State Bookstore, 104 N. Woodward Ave. Online students only should call in their orders, (850) 644-0832.

See the registrar’s website for more information on all things regarding graduation. Students traveling to Tallahassee should consider making hotel reservations as early as possible. For other questions about the hooding ceremony, contact Melanie Yeager, director of graduate programs.

Enhance your financial skills

Wall Street Prep will conduct a Financial Modeling and Technical Finance Interview Prep seminar at FSU this Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 15-16. This seminar, taught by former investment bankers with applied expertise in financial modeling methodologies and with extensive knowledge of the recruiting process, is designed for students pursuing careers in investment banking, corporate finance, private equity, portfolio management, business development, capital markets, and equity & credit research. Full details and registration information can be found at http://www.wallstreetprep.com/training_fsu.html.

MSF board ready for ‘Challenge’

The FSU MSF Student Board of Directors has submitted its report for the 2011 Florida CFA Institute Global Investment Research Challenge. “We are waiting to hear back about the Florida competition,” said Chris Reber, director of financial and new member operations for the board. “From there, it’s on to nationals.” MSF student teams in the competition work directly with a company in researching and preparing a company analysis. The team’s final presentations are locally evaluated by high-profile panels of heads of research, portfolio managers, and chief investment officers from the world’s top firms. The local champions advance to regional competitions in the Americas, Asia, and Europe and then to the global finale.

Learn from the experts

Tim Middleton, director of internships and career services, is hosting “How to Get Hired – Ask the Experts,” a Coffee & Careers career-development workshop at 3:30 p.m. today in Starry Conference Room, 214 Rovetta Business Building.

The event will be moderated by Steve Halsell – Chairman, College of Business Recent Alumni Board and Board Member, Tallahassee Network of Young Professionals. This workshop is part of the Coffee & Careers workshop series and is hosted by the College of Business Recent Alumni Board. RSVP to Tim Middleton at tmiddleton@cob.fsu.edu.

‘Lunch’ deadline fast approaching

This Friday is the final day to apply for the “Lunch With a Rotarian” program, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Tallahassee. The program gives College of Business students an opportunity to meet with professionals in their fields of interest. The Rotary Club of Tallahassee consists of 250 leaders from all professional backgrounds—advertising, banking, computer technology, financial services, health care, hospitality, information management, insurance, law, marketing, public relations, real estate, risk management, tourism, and many other fields. Apply now.

Women in Business hosts conference

Register today for the 4th Annual Women in Business Conference on Friday, Jan. 21. The one-day conference is themed, “Your Best Foot Forward-Taking Steps towards a Successful Future,” and focuses on what college students need to do now to prepare for their careers after graduation. This year’s keynote speaker is Susan Cuthbertson, president of Cuthbertson & Associates, a professional-services company in Jacksonville focused in accounting and finance. For a list of panelists, schedule information or to register for the conference, visit the college's website.

Be the CEO of your body

Are you looking for ways to improve your overall wellness, or just trying to shed pounds from this holiday season? Joanna Southerland, director of graduate support services, is hosting CEO of Your Body, a series of "munch and learn" information sessions on how to take charge of your health, featuring discussion from experts and opportunities for discussion and questions. The next scheduled event in the series takes place at noon, Friday, Jan. 21, in the Starry Conference Room, 214 Rovetta Business Building. Dawn Smith, director of the Tallahassee Memorial Hospital Diabetes Center will will discuss diabetes and conduct risk assessments.

Eye on the Economy heads to Jacksonville

William Christiansen, who teaches the Economic Business Conditions course for master’s students, will share key insights at tonight’s “Eye on the Economy” reception in Jacksonville. The receptions are hosted by the MBA Early Career Board to encourage alumni networking and introduce prospective students to the FSU MBA program. Read more about upcoming receptions on the college’s website.

Kudos, colleagues

Josh Adkins, MBA 2011, has accepted a position in Macy's executive-development program. The program is essentially a prep program to train candidates to become store. Adkins first met a recruiter for Macy's at Seminole Futures and applied online through SeminoleLink. After an initial interview, Adkins was one of 25 candidates out of 1,000-plus interviewed to be granted a second interview. Adkins will begin the program in August at either the Pembroke Pines or Aventura Macy's locations in Florida.

Katherine Daniel, MAcc 2006, is a senior in the Assurance Practice at Ernst & Young in Miami, where her client base ranges from marine transportation and telecommunications to health care.

Dan Girardi, MSM-RMI student, works as a commercial risk manager at Rogers, Gunter, Vaughn Insurance in Tallahassee. In 2010, Girardi completed his Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation the highest designation in the insurance industry, and his Associate in Reinsurance (ARe), a reinsurance designation. Girardi is currently working on his Associate in Insurance Accounting and Finance (AIAF) and is active in the Florida's Future Insurance Leaders program through the Florida Association of Insurance Agents. Girardi also is a mentor for College of Business students through the Golden Opportunities Mentorship Program and a Golden Key International Honor Society member at FSU. “I am elated with the opportunities that my education at FSU has afforded me," Girardi said. “I am passionate about the business world and I am intent on being one of the most dedicated and educated insurance professionals in the industry. I am confident my unique skill set and education will result in said goal coming to fruition.”
John Heath, MAcc 2007, is a senior auditor at Deloitte Touche in West Palm Beach, where he specializes in financial accounting, US GAAP and SEC reporting.

Jake Howard, MBA 2010, will return to Las Vegas on Friday, Jan. 14 to compete in the MBA Poker Tournament at Caesar’s Palace. At last year’s tournament, Howard won first place in the Texas Hold 'Em division, beating out competition from Harvard and UCLA. The event, sponsored by Harrah's Entertainment Inc., raises funds for the to the Alzheimer’s Association of Nevada. Participants are limited to full-time, part-time and alumni MBAs, who had to submit their resumes to recruiters, resulting in a unique environment for networking. “It’s a great networking event,” Howard said. “And a great chance at winning thousands of dollars.”

Donte Mickens, online MSM-RMI student, recently received a gubernatorial appointment to serve on the Florida Rehabilitation Council for the Blind for a term ending in 2013.

Kyle Mulligan, MBA 2010, has accepted a position as Senior Manager of Strategic Development at Citrix Systems Inc. in Fort Lauderdale.

Kevin Randolph, MBA 2011, has been awarded the John J. Hittinger Public Purchasing Scholarship by the Tallahassee Area Chapter of the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing. The scholarship is awarded annually to an upper-division or graduate student who has demonstrated superior academics, extracurricular involvements, and volunteerism.

Catherine Reese, online MSM-RMI student, has accepted a position as a complex property-claims examiner in USAA''s Mountain States Regional Office in San Antonio, Texas.

Mac Smith, MBA 2010, has accepted a position as a financial analyst with Wells Fargo Energy in Houston.

Upcoming dates

● Friday, Jan. 14 – Last day to pay or defer tuition and fees for all students, without a $100.00 late-payment fee
● Monday, Jan. 17 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day. No classes. University administrative offices closed

The Master Plan is a monthly newsletter sent to all on-campus and online master’s students in the Florida State University College of Business. The newsletter is coordinated by Michael Baggett and designed by Andrew Burgess. Please e-mail Baggett, newsletter editor, with any news or career updates about our students or alumni.