Open up the doors to VPH and climb a few flights of stairs and you’ll end up the business department. One of Northwestern’s largest departments on campus. The department covers several areas of study including marketing, business administration, finance and many more. This year, the business department has decided to expand beyond classroom work and introduce the NW Business Club.
According to the Business Club launch material, “the NW Business Club is a student-led group for all majors who want to gain valuable professional experience. Our goal is to help students courageously and faithfully transform into business professionals who are prepared to positively impact the Kingdom of God.”
At the beginning of the fall semester, an email was sent out to all students in the business department about applying to be a part of the Business Club launch group.
“We were asked to send in our resume and a cover letter,” Junior Lauren Faber said. “Five other students and I were chosen to be a part of the launch club.”
Along with Faber, the launch club includes sophomore Michaela Kleinwolterink, sophomore Jocelyn McCormick, sophomore Joshua Rathbun, junior Ben Hengst and junior Ian Hofer.
Since the start of the launch club, the team has put on several events under the identity of the Business Club. Occasionally, the club hosts Business Club breakfast in the cafeteria on Friday mornings at 7 a.m. where students can eat breakfast and engage in conversation with local business professionals and alumni.
The club has also organized a company tour of Staples in Orange City and spent a weekend in Omaha, Nebraska visiting several organizations.
“The trip to Omaha was fun,” Faber said reflecting on the trip. “I learned about the opportunities and options available in Omaha after college.”
The group toured Hudle Omaha, Tetrad Property Group and Outlook Nebraska. The group of 10 also made time to check out the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium and the Old Market area.
The next step for the Business Club is to grow past the launch stage.
The club would like to expand to include networking events and participate in business and marketing competitions.
The club is currently under the supervision of faculty advisor Ashley Stanislav. In the coming years, the club hopes to become completely student-led and be able to plan events and other related activities without the direct guidance of a faculty advisor.
“[Students] should join the [Business Club] to meet other people interested in business, networking and learning about business,” Faber said. “I would like to see the club create a business community on campus.”
Preparing for the 2019-20 academic year, the club is now accepting leadership applications for all positions, including president, vice president, director of finance, director of marketing/social media, director of events and community connections and director of communications.
Leadership roles are open to business, finance and communication students of all academic years.
Club leaders will meet bi-monthly and attend a majority of club events. Applications are due by April 5 at midnight. A resume and letter of interest are required as a part of the application process. If you have questions regarding the duties of the positions or about the application process, contact Stanislav.
The Business Club posts updates and information about upcoming activities on their Instagram page @northwesternbusinessclub.
