Former student ambassador learned critical networking skills through the CBA placing her on the fast track to career success

Madison Huff graduated from BGSU two years ago and the networking skills she learned as a College of Business Student Ambassador put her on the fast track to success in her career. As a Student Ambassador she felt she was a more engaged student, and it created a desire to get involved as an alumni once she graduated.

“As a Student Ambassador, you were highly encouraged to network and interact with very prominent and successful individuals affiliated with the BGSU College of Business,” states Huff.  “As a college student, it can be very intimidating to shake hands and share a conversation with such successful people, and being a Student Ambassador really helped to build my confidence in that aspect and has helped in my current role.  

Huff is a management recruiter at HCR ManorCare.  Her responsibility is to find the most qualified people to join their team of clinical managers and consultants for their skilled nursing facilities. “In my role, I review candidates, conduct phone interviews, coordinate interviews with our hiring team, serve as a resource for information for both the candidate and hiring team, and extend offers to the selected candidate.”

She adds, “The most rewarding part of my job is being able to provide a successful and fruitful career opportunity to our candidates. I absolutely love being able to extend offers and hear the excitement this brings another individual. This process, in turn, assists our skilled nursing facilities with the ability to provide the highest level of care to our residents and their families, as well as a positive work environment to our team.”

Huff graduated with a business degree, specializing in business management and applied economics. Her college experience provided a valuable foundation to launch her career. “I absolutely believe that BGSU’s business program helped to prepare me for my current role. Between the opportunities to grow professionally and education that promotes efficiency, innovation, and effectiveness, I’ve really been able to key into those concepts in my career.”

“The BGSU CBA instilled in me the ideas that businesses can always improve their processes,” Huff continues, “that we should consistently question why things are being done the way they are.  We should strive to create more efficient ways of completing tasks.”  

The 2014 graduate wanted to give back to her alma mater, so she joined the College’s Young Alumni Board to help advise Dean Ray Braun on programs within the College. Her advice to students getting ready to graduate is to be sure their resume effectively highlights their skills and knowledge, to present this information in a professional manner in an interview, and to actively utilize the knowledge and resources that have been made available to them in the workplace.  Huff concludes, “Use those networking skills to connect with your community and other young professionals to create a support system outside of your job, too!”