Student Spotlight: Jackie Fernandez

First Generation COB Student, Jackie Fernandez recently landed a job with All Risks and shares her experiences about her opportunity and how the College of Business helped to prepare her.

Tell us a little about yourself.
I am a Risk Management and Insurance major on track to graduate in four years. I am financially on my own in paying for my education which has taught me the power of networking. My first experience with networking was when I sought to obtain a Residential Advisor position within the Residence Halls in order to help with the housing and meal plan costs. Since my freshman year, I served in many leadership roles and had a number of opportunities to make an impact on my peers, and to enrich my skills as a young professional.

What steps did you take to get this job?
When searching for a job, I knew that I wanted to start my career in Florida at a wholesale brokerage. I had learned about the All Risks company at conferences that I attended through the Risk Management and Insurance concentration. I visited the All Risks website, looked up the key contact in Florida, and sent a personal email requesting an interview to discuss any experiences or recommendations that they might provide me as a young professional. I later heard from the Human Resources manager, went through two phone interviews, a personality assessment, and was flown to Florida to interview with the person who I initially emailed at the beginning of the semester. I was offered a job in mid-October and accepted the position two weeks later.

How did the College of Business help prepare you?
The College of Business has prepared me in many ways for this position. First of all, through completion of the leadership courses. The leadership courses taught me about the importance of networking and putting yourself out there. Our entire class was encouraged to reach out to potential employers through company websites and send an email to request an interview to learn all about their experience within their industry. Taking the initiative helped me to gain an edge in being ahead of other candidates. Another resource provided to all business students is through the caring professors who are always willing to help. Also, the Risk Management and Insurance program has given me many opportunities to travel and to attend conferences where I learned about companies who may be potential employers and to hone my networking skills.

Describe your experience at the College of Business.
My experience within the College of Business has been outstanding. From freshman year I have been making connections with professors and have witnessed how much everyone in the College of Business cares about the growth students. By becoming a College of Business Peer Mentor, I have been able to connect even further with advisors and the Career Center staff. ECU’s college of business is truly a gem in North Carolina.

Why would you recommend a business student take advantage of a networking opportunity?
Taking advantage of an opportunity to network is so important. I would tell any business student that you truly never know who you could potentially be running into and the importance of making a great first impression. Someone you meet tomorrow could either be your future employer or know your future employer. The more people you have in your network that know about who you truly are and what you have the offer, the more references and genuine recommendation letters you could potentially have looking forward that can help you get a job.

What would be the one thing that people would be surprised to learn about you?
I believe that one thing people would be surprised to learn about me is that I am a first generation college student and have created the position that I am currently in through the power of networking. I wouldn’t still be here in college if it weren’t for the connections that I have made that have opened doors for me.

• Categories:
• Academic
• Risk Management & Insurance