New Associate Director Selected to Drive Career Accelerator Office Forward

With a decade of experience in the BGSU College of Technology’s co-op program, Tom Siebenaler will bring that expertise to the College of Business as the new associate director of the Business Career Accelerator Office. Siebenaler was most recently associate director of the Architecture and Applied Engineering Co-op Programs and before that was assistant director of the College of Technology’s Cooperative Education Program.

His years of leadership in the co-op program resulted in a 40% increase in Fortune 500 employer position postings. He directed all of the career development, retention, academic advising, co-op/post-graduate job placement, and employer recruiting efforts in the technology college.

Siebenaler is an alumnus of BGSU with both a bachelor’s and a master’s in education. He is currently working on a doctorate in education, focusing on curriculum and instruction.

Due to the increased focus on student participation in internships and co-ops, the College of Business created this new position of associate director who will report directly to the dean. Previously the Business Career Accelerator was a satellite office of the BGSU Career Center. 

Currently, 70% of BGSU business students participate in internships or co-ops. The goal of the College is to increase that number because the work experience gives students a competitive edge. One of the primary tasks for Siebenaler will be to increase the number of recruiters so every business student has opportunities for an internship before graduation and a full-time job after graduation for those not pursuing an advanced degree.

The new associate director is excited about his new position. “The positive energy I’ve felt from working with the College of Business Administration in the past is what motivated me to pursue this opportunity now. My purpose is to help students find opportunities and to answer that familiar question: "Why are you here at BGSU?' The Business Career Accelerator Office will be adding new resources and tools to help every business student answer that question."

Siebenaler adds, "The Business Career Accelerator Office hopes to personally connect with each business student by the end of this academic year. We need to promote the many resources we offer, helping students make the most of them during their time here. Great things happen through the efforts and collaboration of many. I have a lot of ideas and hope to connect with all faculty, staff, recruiters, and students."

The new associate director can be reached at thomacs@bgsu.edu.