GREENVILLE, N.C. (WITN) – More than one thousand ECU business students gathered at the university’s student center Thursday for this year’s Business Leadership Conference.
The conference was an opportunity for students to learn more from local leaders in the business industry about their career paths.
It offered students the chance to make professional connections and soak up some words of wisdom from alumni, employers, and community members.
This year’s conference kicked off with keynote speaker Matt Crisp, an ECU alum who co-founded the Atlanta-based financial technology company eVestment. Students say being able to connect with ECU alumni has set them up for success.
“We have really powerful alumni who are ready to invest back in us, and that could look like an internship, that could look like a LinkedIn connection, that could lead to a job opportunity down the line, but they’re really here to serve us, which I think ties into ECU’s motto so well,” said senior student Sarah Maisto. “I think that the alumni just showing up to be here for current students really shows us that their future was bright and they want to make sure our future is bright as well.”
This year’s conference included a career fair and networking reception. More than 30 local and corporate businesses participated in the fair, giving students the chance to learn more about their companies and the internships and career opportunities they offer.
Freshman Roz Burgess said the conference has already offered him an incredible start to his professional career.
“Coming in, I was a little nervous. I wanted to meet people. I wanted to take advantage of every opportunity,” said Burgess. “With East Carolina University, especially the College of Business, that’s all I’ve received. I’m very thankful that they’ve taken me under their wing, and I’m excited to soar after college and give back to ECU one day.”
Some of the keynote speakers from previous conferences include Coach Ruffin McNeil, President and CEO of Duke Energy Lynn Good, and CEO of biotechnology company I-Mab Raj Kannan.
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