A career rarely follows a perfectly straight path, and sometimes the most useful lessons come from hearing how others navigated theirs.
Kirkwood’s Future Business Leaders of America will host an Industry Leadership Panel from 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, in Iowa Hall Room B. The free event will bring together professionals from information technology, finance and healthcare to share how they built their careers and developed their approaches to leadership.
Although the panelists represent three specific industries, the conversation is intended to reach beyond those particular career fields.
Speakers are expected to begin around 11 a.m., with lunch provided around noon. The panel will include time for student questions, as well as roughly an hour of open networking near the end of the event. Doors will remain open throughout the program, so students can come and go as their class schedules allow.
Panelists will discuss their personal and professional journeys while offering practical advice on topics including handling burnout, turning setbacks into opportunities, building a professional network and what they look for in up-and-coming professionals.
“I hope those who attend take away that there isn’t one set path to becoming a leader,” said Chris Edinger, vice president of FBLA. “Leadership isn’t one-size-fits-all. We all bring unique strengths, backgrounds and perspectives to the table. Hearing firsthand from professionals across different fields will show students what diverse leadership looks like.”
Cyrus Zangerle, president of FBLA, said the networking portion gives students another way to make the most of the event.
“Networking skills are important for professional development, and I think this is a great environment to network and present yourself,” Zangerle said. “It’s an easy opportunity to engage with many local employers and professionals in the area. Even if their industry isn’t in your field of study, learning to network is beneficial and could still introduce you to professionals who may have connections that are of interest to you.”
Rather than presenting one “right” way to build a career, the event gives students a chance to see how different paths can take shape, ask questions along the way and make connections that could help with whatever comes next.
Questions about the Industry Leadership Panel or FBLA can be directed to cyrus-zangerle@student.kirkwood.edu or christian-edinger@student.kirkwood.edu.
| FBLA speakers |
| Jamie Henley, Mercy Care Career Development — Healthcare Kara Kortenkamp, CrystalGroup Director in Production — IT Industry Sara Kuennen, Informatics Business Growth Director — Digital Tech JaMarcus O’Banner, Northwestern Mutual College Director — Insurance & Finance John Hall, CR Bank & Trust Chief Lending Officer — Banking & Finance Garrett Shekleton, TrueNorth V.P. of Risk Mgmt — Insurance & Finance |
Categories: Feature
