Life After Tippie
- Stephanie Peters
- Oct 17, 2015
- 4 min read
Life after graduation can take former students in all different directions. Sometimes the transition from college to the "real world" is simple, but not always. We caught up with a few Tippie graduates to see how post-grad life is treating them.
Courtney Rohde, BBA '15
Area of study: Marketing, International Business (certificate), Spanish (minor)
Position: Account Manager, Beacon Chest Seal
How does it feel to be a graduate, not returning to Tippie in the fall?
Truthfully, it has not quite hit me yet. As a student, I spent my summers away from my hometown and Iowa City doing internships in Spain and in Los Angeles. I recently moved to LA, but it has not sunk in that this is an indefinite move for the foreseeable future! Once football season is here, I’m sure it will start to feel strange that I am not back in Iowa City cheering on the Hawkeyes every week at Kinnick!
What was it like to have to relocate for a job opportunity?
Fortunately for me, I will be working from a home office rather than a large corporation building. That gave me some flexibility of what part of the country I wanted to live in. Moving to Los Angeles didn’t feel like a difficult step, but rather fulfilling my goal! Sometimes it can be frustrating not having your immediate networks of contacts around you that you used to in your old town, but it’s exciting too!
Do you have any advice for future Tippie graduates?
Take advantage of your four years! Getting involved early was the best thing I could do for myself. It helped me meet new people and opened opportunities for the rest of my time at Tippie. Also, go study abroad! It will help you so much in your future if you can understand how different types of people and cultures work. It will give you a new perspective for so many things. Don’t be scared of jumping on a plane after your freshman year. I did and it was one of the best experiences of my life! It pushed me to study abroad two more times!
Kaitlyn Kobida, BBA '15
Area of study: Finance & Human Resource Management
Position: Account Specialist, Marshall Associates, Inc.
How did the job search go for you?
My job search was longer than I had anticipated. I was looking into a lot of different industries and various types of positions, it was time consuming. However, I did learn a lot from the interview process. Now that I have dozens of phone, Skype and in-person interviews under my belt, I feel as though I could take on any question! It was also very interesting learning about each company, and different career paths to take. Now that it is over, I am SO happy I waited for the "perfect" job offer that fit my needs and goals just right!
Are you pursuing a career in an area you had originally planned on? If not, what changed?
I was a double major in finance and human resource management, and I started my career working at a marketing and sales company...funny how that works out! However, my position is high in both analytical skills and people skills, so the skill-sets I learned from both majors have been very useful thus far!
How did Tippie prepare you for life after college?
Tippie gave me the skills to go out and start a career; the hard work and determination to advance my career is up to me! I do think that Tippie does a great job at building work ethic, though. We are trained to be involved, to take on a lot. Having been involved in multiple organizations and jobs on campus prepared me for all the multi-tasking I do at work.
Yuliya Ivanova, Ph.D. '15
Degree: Finance
Position: Associate, Promontory Financial Group, LLC
How does it feel to be a graduate, not returning to Tippie in the fall?
As amazing as it is to finish this long and demanding chapter in my life, Tippie was my home for a long time. So the easiest way to describe it is, “I am homesick”. However, football games are always a good excuse to go back.
How did Tippie help to advance your career path?
Tippie was crucial in my career path. I have completed two of my degrees here (the full-time MBA and the finance Ph.D.). Thus, Tippie is like an extra parent to me that guided me through the highs and lows of graduate school. The professors at Iowa are world-class, and they help you not only become knowledgeable in the finance field but also to communicate your ideas efficiently.
Do you have any advice for future Tippie graduates?
1. Be a proud Hawkeye, as the Iowa brand reaches much farther than I have originally expected.
2. Partition your job hunt and school endeavors into small, short-term goals. This way, the long-term uncertainty is not overwhelming. Give yourself a pat on the shoulder every time you check one of those goals.
3. Explore and be open to new experiences.
Emily Brannon, BBA '15
Degree: Finance, Leadership Studies (certificate)
Position: Commercial Analyst Development Program Trainee, BMO Harris Bank
How did the job search go for you?
I was fortunate to land an internship at Iowa’s career fair for the summer going into my senior year with BMO Harris Bank. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience working there, and luckily received a full-time offer for their Commercial Analyst Development Program for after graduation in August before my senior year had even began.
What are resources you used or wish you had used throughout your transition?
My parents have been the biggest transitional support system and resource since I graduated. From helping me apartment shop, move all of my belongings, and answer all of my questions, my parents have been incredibly helpful. In addition, I found a great realtor to help me find my dream place in Chicago. Transitioning from student to young professional is all about learning -- from little things like finding parking apps for the city or how to choose 401ks.
What is it like to have to relocate for a job opportunity?
I am originally from Dubuque, Iowa, and will be moving to Chicago, Illinois. It has always been my dream to move to the city, and I am very excited to have this opportunity. It was both fun and stressful to go apartment hunting, and I am looking forward to making Chicago my new home!
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