Class of 2016 Success Stories: A head start with a Falcon finish

Allison Artz began her BGSU career ahead of her peers and finished with two degrees and a full-time job in just four years

By Amy West

When Allison Artz began her career at Bowling Green State University, she was already a year ahead of her classmates. Artz started college with enough credits to be considered a sophomore through her participation in the College Credit Plus Program. 

College Credit Plus provides qualified high school students the opportunity to take college courses. Artz completed calculus, British literature, two writing courses, economics, Introduction to Business and geology before she even received her high school diploma. 

“I love to keep busy and by filling up on some of my general studies requirements during high school, I was able to hit the ground running with my business courses as soon as I became a Falcon," said Artz, who will graduate Aug. 6. "I knew without a doubt I wanted to earn my business degree and was anxious to get started."

Her head start at BGSU allowed her to complete a bachelor’s degree in business administration, specializing in finance, along with her Master of Business Administration degree in just four years. 

Artz has always been active, and she embraced campus life by becoming involved with Delta Sigma Pi, Dance Marathon, Mortar Board and the College of Business Student Ambassador Program. In addition, she worked 20 hours per week as a student supervisor at Stampers and filled in as a substitute dance coach.

“The quality internships I completed provided me an edge in the finance market. When I spoke to recruiters at the job fair, they were amazed at the experience I could bring to the table right out of college”“I love meeting new people and being involved," she said. "The College of Business instills the importance of engagement. Dean (Ray) Braun tells incoming students that engagement translates to success during his opening weekend address."

Artz took Dean Braun’s words to heart. In addition to her student activities, she completed two full-time internships and landed a full-time job nearly a year before graduation. 

“The College of Business at BGSU has so many unique opportunities for students," she said. "Connecting students with alumni for mentoring and career opportunities is another priority in the college. Students learn professional skills in addition to technical skills taught in the classroom, which makes graduates from the college highly marketable."

Artz completed an internship at Owens Corning, where she worked as a sourcing financial planning and analysis intern and handled the month-end closing. At Marathon Petroleum, she worked as a credit intern and analyzed the credit worthiness of more than 400 companies during her summer internship.

“The quality internships I completed provided me an edge in the finance market. When I spoke to recruiters at the job fair, they were amazed at the experience I could bring to the table right out of college,” she said.

The College of Business has its own career placement office, and more than 93 percent of business students utilize its services each semester. Business students graduate with an average annual salary of more than $54,000, and 86 percent have a job waiting for them at graduation or are in the interview stages.

“We have connections with more than 2,000 companies, and I am consistently told by our recruiters that BGSU business students are more prepared for the work force than business students from other universities,” said Tom Siebenaler, associate director of the Business Career Accelerator.

“We conduct our classes like business meetings and students graduate with more than just an academic portfolio, they graduate with professional skills and understand how the world of business works,” Braun said. “Our graduates know how to conduct themselves at business meetings, the proper etiquette at business dinners and how to network and build professional connections. 

Artz researched companies and developed several top prospects. She then sought out their recruiters at the annual job fair. Eaton was at the top of her list because of its finance development program and what the company stands for —accountability and ethics. In October, Eaton offered her a full-time job and was willing to wait while she completed the MBA program.

Next week, Artz will head to Hastings, Neb., for the first year of a three-year development program designed to help her decide a career path. 

“I have only been to Nebraska through Google,” Artz said, laughing, “so this will be a very exciting experience. I leased my apartment online with the help of a few phone calls and photos. I am anxious to actually get there and begin year one.”

“BGSU does an amazing job of creating a family and a foundation for success...When I graduate, I will leave campus with a network of people that I can reach out to throughout my career and friendships that will last a lifetime."During the first year, Artz will be responsible for the finances of the Nebraska plant. She will work with one supervisor in a fairly small plant and will handle month-end closing and special projects. She will also have the opportunity for administrative and quality control experience.

Year two will take Artz to a second location, most likely Cleveland or Pittsburgh, where she will work in a divisional role such as the electrical sector. Following year one and two, she will have some input on year three based on her interests. She can look into treasury, investments, a divisional role or a plant environment.

“No matter where I end up, I will stay connected to BGSU," she said. "I met so many people and formed a family here. I love that I can walk through campus at any given time and say hi to at least one person that I know. I will miss the football and hockey games and being a student ambassador the most.”

Artz has firm instructions from her professors to keep in touch and provide regular updates about her career path.

“My professors know me personally and sincerely want to help me be successful," she said. "They know my interests, my strengths and my weaknesses, and took time to mentor me. From my first finance class with Ed White, who held his office hours at Starbucks so we’d feel more comfortable, to Dan Klein who takes the time to give me advice every time I run into him, I know that I am cared about here at BGSU.”

Artz also became close to her cohort during the one-year MBA program and developed peer connections that she can reach out to throughout her career.

“BGSU does an amazing job of creating a family and a foundation for success," she said. "When I graduate, I will leave campus with a network of people that I can reach out to throughout my career and friendships that will last a lifetime."