Ten Southeast Missouri State University Harrison College of Business students visited Boeing and explored careers April 6 in St. Louis as part of an Externship Day experience.
The visit provided students exposure to a large manufacturing setting, insights into Boeings work environment and culture, and the opportunity to develop mentorship relationships with Southeast alumni employed by Boeing.
Students participating were Joey Monti, a finance major from St. Louis; Chester Williams, a finance major from St. Louis; Richard Wilke, a business administration major from OFallon Missouri; Mackenzie Porter, a management major, human resource management, from Florissant, Missouri; Cassidy Stark, a management major from Malden Missouri; Joseph Allison, a management major, entrepreneurship option, from Chester, Illinois; Sage Lintner, a management major, human resource management, from West Frankfort, Illinois; Trace Gardner, a cybersecurity major from OFallon, Missouri; Christopher Gibbons, a finance major from Pacific, Missouri; and Allison Bolhafner, a cybersecurity major from Ironton, Missouri.
Gardner said he appreciated the the opportunity to see how his degree might translate into industry in the future.
“Probably the most valuable part of the experience was creating connections and getting advice from industry professionals about what to be focusing on before entering the field and some of my career goals,” he said. “It was refreshing to see alumni in leadership positions and their passion for what they do.”
Bolhafner added, “To me the most valuable part of this experience was getting to talk to people in my field and ask them questions about what they suggest I should work on to increase my value in the job market.”
She says she got great insights from two Boeing employees they shadowed.
“The most important thing I learned from the externship is what companies such as Boeing are looking for in new hires,” she said.
Boeing employs about 200 Southeast alumni. Kim Woolf and Kevin Montgomery, current Boeing employees, and Eric Levin, former chief financial officer at Boeing Phantom Works Division, are Southeast alumni who organized the student experience.
Boeing is the world’s largest aerospace company and leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners, defense, space and security systems. As Americas largest manufacturing exporter, the company supports airlines and U.S. and allied government customers in more than 150 countries. Boeing products and tailored services include commercial and military aircraft, satellites, weapons, electronic and defense systems, launch systems, advanced information and communication systems, and performance-based logistics and training.
Boeing executives have served on the Harrison College of Business Corporate Advisory Board, and as executives in residence, mentors and guest speakers.