College of Business professors offer encouragement to incoming students
Aug. 26, 2008
By Julia Marino, Marketing and Communications GA
Photography by Rick Fatica
The College of Business faculty and staff includes more than 80 professionals who are available to help students integrate successfully into college life. As the new school-year approaches, faculty and staff get ready to welcome and prepare new business students, which this year includes approximately 370 incoming freshmen. Here, College of Business Professors Dr. Dawn Deeter –Schmelz, Dr. William Lamb, Dr. Connie Esmond-Kiger and Dr. Raymond Frost offer helpful tips to new and current CoB students:
Dr. Dawn Deeter -Schmelz, O'Bleness Professor of Marketing
What is the key to being a successful College of Business student?
The key to success lies in studying and good time management. Some of the best students I know are involved in many organizations, but they also make choices about what to focus on so that they don't become overwhelmed.
What would you like incoming freshmen to know about you as a professor and about the CoB in general?
The faculty and staff at Ohio University are very caring and interested in the wellbeing of our students. I do my best to make my classes enjoyable so that students have fun while they are learning something. (For complete interview click here.)
Dr. William B. Lamb, Associate Professor of Strategic Management
What is the key to being a successful College of Business student?
Try to become a better time manager and get comfortable with working on very tight deadlines and under pressure. Remaining friendly, calm and self-assured in the face of pressure is perhaps the most important skill you can develop here. Being an effective member of a team is also crucial. Can people depend on you? Do they enjoy working with you, and do they see you as a key contributor to the team? Do you anticipate the team’s needs? Have you become an expert on the topic at hand? Are you willing to speak up when you see the team going in the wrong direction? These are all questions to consider as you work on your team projects.
What would you like incoming freshmen to know about you as a professor and about the faculty and staff in general?
The faculty and staff are here because they enjoy working with students. They are hoping you’ll come by with questions, to chat about the class or your plans, etc. They are rooting for you to succeed and are hoping you’ll seek their assistance as the school year progresses. If you are having trouble with a class, don’t hide. There are a lot of resources on campus the faculty can point you to, so sooner you come see the instructor the better! (For complete interview click here.)
Dr. Connie Esmond-Kiger, Director, School of Accountancy
What is the most important piece of information they should have with them when arriving?
Come in with the attitude that you are going to be successful in your studies from day one. Keep up with your classes. Surround yourself with people whose priorities are in the right place--this includes your roommates. Seek out mentors among your peers and your teachers. Remember the quarter begins the first day of class, not the night before the first exam.
What advice would you give to a business student who is unsure of what business classes to take or business track to declare?
If you are unsure of what major to declare, just list yourself as undecided in the College of Business. There is no big rush to decide. During your freshman and sophomore years, you will take accounting, marketing, management, finance, and MIS. Once you have taken all these classes, you will probably have no problem deciding which area interests you the most. Also, do not be afraid to change your mind about your major or to add a major. Keep in mind that if you double major, you can select a second major in the College of Business, or you may want to consider a second major outside of the College of Business, such as Economics, a Language, Communications, etc. A great alternative to a second major is to complete one of our Sales Certificate programs. (For complete interview click here.)
Dr. Raymond D. Frost, Professor and Chair of Management Information Systems and Honors Tutorial College Director of Studies
What is the most important piece of information they should have with them when arriving?
Embrace professionalism! You are not just learning content but also how to present that content and yourself professionally.
What is the key to being a successful College of Business student?
Respect yourself, your fellow students, your professors and the staff. Assume that others have your best interests in mind--usually they do. Trust and respect are the keys to group work, which is such a big part of business education. (For complete interview click here.)
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