Monroe College business students have learned first-hand that the early bird really does catch the worm. In addition to studying their curriculum, graduating seniors in Business Policy and Strategy, the “capstone” course in the Bachelor’s Business Management Program, focused on their own job development. As a result, nine of those students have launched careers with meaningful employment even before their June graduation.

“Students who were thinking about putting their job search on hold until after graduation quickly learned that successful job seekers often start early and they don’t look for work only when they feel like it or when it is convenient,” said Professor Roberta Harris, who teaches the course.  As part of the course requirements, students researched various sources for employment opportunities, i.e. job listings in daily and weekly newspapers and on the Internet, company websites, and networked with friends, family, classmates, business associates, etc. They kept track of their job search by creating and updating a list of all of the positions and companies to which they submitted resumes and applications, and they provided weekly status updates of their job search efforts.

The results were impressive. Mahabubar Rahman is now an Assistant Manager at AirFood, Inc., Kevin Francis is a Strategic Development Coordinator for the United Nations, Valery Valdez is a Manager Trainee with Bank of America, Masud Mohammed is a Manager of Customer Services at BBQ’s Restaurant, Anthony Salmon is a Clerical Assistant at Montefiore Medical Center, Leon Fearon is a Manager Trainee at Nine Zero Marketing, Guillermo Tejada is an Assistant Manager Trainee at Bank of America, Mary Godwin is a Sales and Marketing Assistant with a media firm in New York City, and Andre Campbell has been offered a position as a Manager Trainee at Universal Online Promotions.  Business Administration Department Chairman Tilokee Depoo said these students have helped underscore the advantage of a Monroe College education. “Historically, our mission is to provide the educational foundation for rewarding careers. The achievement of Professor Harris’ students confirms that we are meeting our goals,” he said.