When it comes to success, Southeast alumna Erika Williams means business.

Erika graduated from Xavier University in New Orleans, La., with a degree in business administration in 2002. A native of St. Louis, she chose to attend Southeast to complete her MBA in general management. During her two-year enrollment, she worked as a graduate assistant for the Office of University Relations, completed several internships, traveled abroad extensively for work and pleasure and served a term as president of the MBA Association. Now, she is the assistant general manager of the Westfield Shoppingtown in Crestwood, Mo.

 “As assistant general manager, I am responsible for the daily operations of the center, which include supervising and overseeing the security, housekeeping, and maintenance managers,” Erika said. “I also interact with customers, retailers, contractors and vendors on a daily basis, and I assist the general manager with a lot of financial reporting. Did I mention other duties as assigned?”

 Erika said she was able to take advantage of the great relationship Southeast has with the Westfield Corporation. She was hired by the company after completing an internship with Westfield Shoppingtown in Cape Girardeau. Her other graduate school endeavors have paid off as well. 

“I appreciate having had the opportunity to gain practical experience via my graduate assistantship while going to school,” Erika said. “It was a great transition from college to the work force. At Southeast, I was able to sharpen my communication skills.  

“Also, my experience as president of the MBA Association was great because it allowed for me to exercise my leadership capabilities. In my current position, I have to delegate a lot of responsibilities as I did as president of the MBA Association. With that said, a great leader surrounds him or herself with extremely talented and bright people.”

Erika believes traveling to various countries is important, because it not only broadens one’s perspective but also demonstrates an appreciation for diversity, which employers look for in future candidates.

“At Southeast, I was able to travel to five countries,” she said. “During my first year I went to France, England, Switzerland and Italy. During my second year, I went to Cuba, which was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Erika says, in the future, she would like to explore the possibility of getting a doctorate after she acquires more business experience.

When she isn’t working or traveling, Erika enjoys going to movies and spending time with her friends and family. Although she’s readjusted to the fast pace of her home city, she says she misses certain things about Cape Girardeau, such as drive-up convenience stores, Buckner’s fried pickles and being around the friends she made in her classes and the MBA Association.

Erika encourages Southeast students to take advantage of internship opportunities throughout their academic careers.

“I was once in their shoes and therefore understand what it’s like to prepare for a career and search for a job,” she said. “My recommendation is be patient and start early. When looking for a job, make sure that you’re interviewing the company just as much as they’re interviewing you.

To current students, she offers this advice:

“Never pass up on an unpaid internship opportunity. Look at every internship opportunity as a future reference or job opportunity,” she said.

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