BGSU senior lands two coveted internships, broadening career prospects after graduation

Jalan January credits the top-ranked Schmidthorst College of Business for helping shape his future

By Laren Kowalczyk ‘07

One of the reasons Jalan January enrolled at Bowling Green State University was for its top-ranked business college.

Still, it wasn’t until January was immersed in classes at the Allen W. and Carol M. Schmidthorst College of Business that he truly grasped how those rankings translated into an education of value that would propel him to success.

“I knew they held prestige, but it’s so much more than that," January said. "It’s about the quality of professors who teach us and the experiences they bring into the classroom. They push us to think critically, think outside the box and collaborate like we will in the real world.

“They build connections with us and challenge us to be the best.”

January, who is majoring in business administration finance with a concentration in financial planning, credits the college’s rigorous academics and networking and professional development opportunities with helping him secure two coveted internships, undoubtedly shaping his career prospects after graduation.

The Schmidthorst College of Business, ranked among the top business schools in the U.S. for student experience by Poets&Quants, prepares students for professional success through valuable and relevant coursework, mentorship and experiential learning opportunities that promote real-world application of content in various settings. 

Learning corporate finance

January secured his first internship in corporate finance at DHL Supply Chain, a leading logistics company headquartered in Westerville, Ohio, near Columbus, after meeting company representatives at a Spring 2022 career expo hosted by the Michael and Sara Kuhlin Hub for Career Design and Connections.

The Kuhlin Career Hub positions students for professional success by introducing them to its growing network of top local and national employer partners through events like career expos, prototyping experiences and alumni mentoring through the Falcon Professional Network.

The personal connections facilitated through the Kuhlin Career Hub are integral in helping students build connections with professionals in their chosen fields.

During the three-month internship, January worked with DHL warehouse general managers on identifying variances, budgeting and forecasting. While the business and financial knowledge he learned at BGSU proved crucial to his success during the internship, January said his Excel skills and building connections were also beneficial.

“BGSU taught me how to use Excel effectively, and I didn’t realize how vital that skill would be until I got to my internship,” he said. 

January shadowed new business calls with companies interested in contracting with DHL and participated in numerous training sessions. He also worked with several interns on a capstone project centered around accurately projecting the cost of employee-paid time off — a budget enhancement the company continues to use today.

Christine Webb, a DHL consumer finance manager who supervised January, said interns are challenged to think creatively and develop solutions to increase organizational efficiency.

“We like our interns to think outside the box,” Webb said. “Throughout the internship, Jalan was well-prepared, had a good attitude and was excited to be there. He was open to any task you’d provide him and was a great asset to our team.”

Broadening his knowledge

Soon after returning to BGSU for his senior year, January began searching for additional internship opportunities to broaden his knowledge. He wanted to explore the wealth management side of finance and sought an internship at a bank.

By late fall, January had accepted a wealth analyst internship at Huntington Bank in Columbus for Summer 2024, following his graduation from BGSU.

“I’ve worked so hard to get here,” January said. “I’m not usually one to celebrate, but this is what I came here to do. This is definitely a dream internship for me, and it feels like the perfect way to transition from BGSU into the real world.”

January said his ultimate career goal is to help athletes and wealthy people, especially those from minoritized groups, manage their money. He grew up in a supportive community east of Columbus and wants to give back.

“I want to be a face and a figure for the city that gave me so much because I wouldn’t be here without them,” January said. “The people who supported me growing up love to give back, and they love the community they’re a part of. That’s the path I want to follow.”

Robert Thompson, a BGSU adjunct faculty member, said January’s drive and discipline will serve him well in the financial industry.

“I was impressed with Jalan as a student and with his attitude, behavior and willingness to push forward even when I knew he had a lot on his plate,” Thompson said.