Formula for Success

Involvement turns preparation into opportunity

Involvement turns preparation into opportunity

Career readiness begins long before graduation. An online job application can be a roll of the dice – lots of people look good digitally. How can you separate yourself out of 4,000 applicants? Meet them in person, and use the skills you learned through your classes and mentorship.

“The difference in opportunity is remarkable, and it reinforces the immense value of in-person engagement at these competitions,” said supply chain management senior Ethan Steinhoff.

Steinhoff was one of only 24 of those 4,000 applicants with Lenovo to receive an offer. He accepted the sales position six months before he graduates from ECU.

“[It’s] incredibly rewarding, especially given the uncertainty and anxiety many students face when entering a challenging job market,” he said.

Steinhoff attributes his pre-graduation success to taking advantage of everything his education has offered. He took part in the Aman Pirate Challenge – an entrepreneur pitch competition – where his team, “Pane Pirates,” were finalists. He joined student organizations – specifically the Pirate Sales Club – where he immersed himself in every opportunity it provided.

He was coached by Richard Twilley (BSBA ’89), who established the COB’s Twilley Academy of Sales Leadership, as well as its director, Dr. Michael Rodriguez. Steinhoff also absorbed the skills he learned in his Leadership and Professional Development Curriculum courses.

“I had the privilege to get to know Ethan over the last few years, and his commitment to differentiate himself by taking advantage of all the COB does to prepare students for professional success has been impressive,” Twilley said. “He has a bright future.”

“Seeing Ethan finishing his coursework this spring while simultaneously securing a career-level role is the ultimate validation of our program,” said Kathryn Carroll, coordinator and teaching assistant professor in the leadership and professional development curriculum. She was also one of Steinhoff’s professors. “It proves that when students engage deeply with intentional networking and leadership reflection, they don’t just earn a degree – they become business professionals ready to make an immediate impact that the modern business world demands.”

Steinhoff is the latest in a growing number of COB students who follow “the formula” — taking what they learn in class and applying it immediately through student organizations and the many in- and out-of-class connections COB faculty, staff and alumni provide.

“I want to emphasize that ECU is an exceptional university, overflowing with resources and opportunities that too often go untapped by students” Steinhoff said. “Our professors are deeply invested in helping us launch our careers, and generous donors continually support our programs to set us up for success.”

“The formula for success in the COB is pretty simple – get involved and use the skills and knowledge you’re learning,” said COB dean, Dr. Mike Harris. “We work hard to make sure those opportunities are there for our students. They just need to take advantage of those opportunities. We have so many successful alumni who did just that. They show the formula works.”

David Craig’s (BSBA ’16) ECU experience began as a member of the university’s men’s swimming team. When his swimming career ended, he waded into extracurriculars like the Investment Club, Financial Management Association and the Student Leadership Board. The finance major enjoyed being with like-minded and ambitious students, which helped him with his confidence and motivated him to dive into “all the great things” the COB offered.

“It really changed my thought perspective on what’s possible in the business world,” Craig said.

Craig feels a major factor in both finding his career and succeeding in it has come from connecting with ECU alumni. These networks developed while he was a student. He said the three clubs he was involved with gave him a never-ending list of alumni to connect with.

“I met tons of ECU alumni from all across NC and up and down the East Coast who were very open to a conversation along with shadowing them,” Craig said. “All the alumni whether they were 25 years old or over 70 years old, were very open to me coming to their office or setting up phone calls where they could provide me invaluable insights or further connect me with someone who could. So by the time I graduated from the COB, I felt light years ahead in terms of how to make it in the financial services industry.”

Two months before graduation, Craig committed to a firm in Philadelphia. He is now self-employed in the financial services industry. He also continues to be connected with the COB by volunteering with the Young Alumni Council.

“[Leadership and Civic Engagement built] transferable skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, while demonstrating initiative and responsibility. These experiences expand your network, enhance your resume, and show employers you can lead and collaborate.”

David Liu (BSBA ’19) Digital Assets Operation Analyst at Fidelity Investments

David Liu (BSBA ’19) was a first-generation college student when he came to ECU. He felt this status necessitated working harder than others to be able to realize his goals. He credits having leadership roles in the various groups and internships – Tax internship, Student Accounting Society, Student Leadership Board, Tutoring and Mentoring Center and the Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement – helped him develop essential skills.

Liu, an accounting graduate, understands college students are busy, but there is always room for taking advantage of opportunities. He cites a popular, but unattributed quote, “If it’s important to you, you’ll find a way. If not, you’ll find an excuse.”

His hard work enabled him to have a job lined up a few months before he graduated. He is now a digital assets operation analyst at Fidelity Investments. He is now one of those COB alumni creating opportunities for current students.

Liu, like Craig, is is on the COB’s YAC. In fall of 2025, Liu with fellow COB alumnus Alexis Lopez (BSBA ’25), hosted three student groups for a professional development tour of Fidelity Investments in Durham.

“I’ve always felt a strong responsibility to give back to the community that helped shape my career,” Liu said of the trip. “Being able to answer questions, share my own journey and help students envision themselves in a professional setting was incredibly rewarding, and I hope it gave them more confidence as they prepare for their own careers.”

That confidence can be key. While these opportunities are there for the taking, they can be intimidating. Believing in yourself is a must – and that might be the first step to making your dreams become reality.

“Having confidence in your aspirations and trusting your own abilities is crucial to reaching your goals,” said Ryann Carter (BSBA ’22), a business administration and management major. “When you commit to believing in your potential and to doing the work, even when it’s hard – you empower yourself to overcome obstacles and pursue opportunities that lead to personal and professional fulfillment.”

“I felt it was imperative to make the most of my time in college by exploring as many opportunities as possible. I wanted to discover what I truly enjoyed… Being active in various programs allowed me to learn more about myself and made my college experience much more fulfilling.” 

Ryann Carter (BSBA ’22) Makeup Artist and Stylist for Opus Beauty

Carter is a celebrity makeup artist and stylist for Opus Beauty. She is also working to bring her own beauty line/makeup brand to market. When she was at ECU she was involved with the Fashion Above Modern Expression or F.A.M.E. club and was the arts chair of the Student Activities Board or SAB. Like Steinhoff, she also took part in the Aman Pirate Challenge.

Not only were aspects of F.A.M.E. and SAB tied to her future, so were the connections she made with mentors. They provided safe spaces for her to talk about her future. “Having these supportive environments made a significant difference – allowing me to share my thoughts and receive valuable advice,” Carter said.

Pierce Elwell is a very recent graduate of the COB, earning his Bachelor of Science of Business Administration in Finance in 2025. He is now an investment banking analyst on Cascadia Capital’s Technology team in Austin, Texas, focused on sell-side M&A transactions. His road to Cascadia Capital was paved by wealth management, investment banking and private equity internships with Raymond James, Tobin & Co., QHP Capital, and Core Industrial Partners.

At ECU, he co-founded the Blacksail Fund, was president of the Financial Management Association, participated in the Investment Club and served on the Dean’s Student Leadership Council. Yet, all of those activities almost didn’t happen, because he wasn’t sure he wanted to get involved at first.

“Honestly, I was hesitant at first because I didn’t know if there was real value or what would happen once I stepped in,” Elwell said. “But I’ll say it over and over again: if I hadn’t gotten involved and explored what was outside my ‘circle,’ I wouldn’t have had any of the experiences that have set me up for life after graduation.”

Elwell believes getting involved helped him find like-minded people who helped him figure out what career he wanted and how to be professional in the business world early on in college. And, it paid off. Elwell was offered a full-time job the semester before he graduated.

“Those experiences were defining for me – responsibility, high-pressure decision-making, and working with people across a large organization in a way the classroom simply can’t replicate.”

Jenna Mallberg (BSBA ’23, MBA ’24)Program Manager for SaaS at Internet2

The leadership benefits of getting involved help students develop skills in ways that the classroom can only go so far. Management information systems and Immersive MBA graduate Jenna Mallberg (BSBA ’23, MBA ’24) said her opportunities as the president of all of the panhellenic sororities on campus, as well as being a member of Zeta Tau Alpha, Association of Information Systems and Student Government Association gave her real leadership experiences because she had to run events and initiatives. She is now a program manager for SaaS at Internet2.

Internships were also key to her success leading up to and post-graduation. Mallberg had a marketing internship with Aramark, two internships with Internet2 and was a graduate assistant for the COB during her IMBA education. The internships with Internet2 led to a job offer six months before she graduated.

“Those opportunities are what shaped me into the kind of leader I am today,” Mallberg said. She continues to share those skills with COB students, as she is also a member of the YAC. “I got involved because I’ve always known I’m at my best when I’m building, leading and connecting with people.”

Steinhoff, Craig, Liu, Carter, Elwell and Mallberg are all different people with different backgrounds. But what they have in common is the COB formula. They got involved and utilized their education.

Steinhoff credits saying yes and stepping outside his comfort zone whenever possible. “My dad has always told me to say yes to every opportunity, especially the ones that make me uncomfortable. Growth only happens when you stretch yourself, embrace the nerves and take risks,” Steinhoff said. “Whether you’re a freshman or a senior, there’s still time to get involved – take advantage of everything ECU offers, and you’ll open doors you never imagined possible.”

“I met some of my closest friends through the various clubs I was in, and they taught me a lot about the industry. Additionally, I had something meaningful to speak to in interviews because of what I learned through those clubs.” 

Pierce Elwell (BSBA ’25) Investment Banking Analyst at Cascadia Capital