Blake Baca
Email: bacablak@msu.edu
Hometown: Clinton Township, Michigan
Major: Accounting
Year at MSU: Second year
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jennifer Dunn, Department of Management
Research Projects: Research involving corporate contract negotiations
Career Goal: I plan to obtain a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a Major in Accounting and go on to complete a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. I then plan to obtain my license as a Certified Public Accountant and some day become the Chief Financial Officer of a Fortune 500 Company.
My BSP Experience: The Broad Scholar Program was a valuable introduction to conducting research in the field of business. Working with my faculty mentor, Dr. Jennifer Dunn, was a very useful and enjoyable experience. While assisting Dr. Dunn with research involving corporate contract negotiations, I became aware of the groundwork necessary in conducting research. The research I assisted with as a Broad Scholar opened my eyes to the complexity and numerous aspects involved in corporate contract negotiations.
Meghan Clark
Email: clarkme8@msu.edu
Hometown: Herndon, VA
Major: Hospitality Business/French
Year at MSU: Second year
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Carl Borchgrevink, The School of Hospitality Business
Research Projects: An Observational Study on Handwashing
Career Goal: I would like to work in the hotel or restaurant industry abroad in France.
My BSP Experience: I worked on an observational handwashing study this year with my faculty mentor. I collected data in various bathrooms across campus by watching patrons and their handwashing practices. I learned a lot about teamwork through the completion of this project, since I worked with 2 other professors and 3 graduate students.
Jennifer Dedo
Email: dedojenn@msu.edu
Hometown: Allen Park, MI
Major: Accounting/Entrepreneurship Specialization
Year at MSU: Second year
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Joan Luft, Department of Accounting and Information Systems
Research Projects: I worked on a variety of aspects in an experiment, such as gathering information, testing the experiment, and organizing data
Career Goal: To be a CPA
My BSP Experience: I really enjoyed my experience in BSP because of the opportunities it presented me. I got to see a new aspect relating to my major and gain a relationship with a faculty member and other students similar to myself.
Sarah DiPietro
Email: dipietr7@msu.edu
Hometown: Wacousta, MI
Major: Supply Chain Management/ Environmental Studies Specialization
Year at MSU: Third Year (BSP Alumni)
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Glenn Omura, Department of Marketing
Research Projects: Consumer Consumption Behaviors and How They Relate to the Different Generations
Career Goal: I would like to work at a large firm in the supply chain area. My ideal place is one that allows me to grow as a person and employee, while enjoying the challenge to further my knowledge everyday.
My BSP Experience: I have had a great BSP experience. My mentor has been very supportive, and the research project was a lot of fun as well as a great way to attain better research skills, communication abilities, and teamwork. Not only did I work on a research project about the generations and their purchasing habits, I also was able to be a staff writer for the online marketing newsletter, marketingtechie.com. I have thoroughly enjoyed the BSP and it was one of the best decisions I made to apply!
Benjamin Jacquier
Email: jacquier@msu.edu
Hometown: Cary, Illinois
Major: Supply Chain Management/Environmental Studies Specialization
Year at MSU: Third Year (BSP Alumni)
Faculty Mentor: Dr. John R. Hollenbeck, Department of Management
Research Projects: Team Effectiveness Research Laboratory
Career Goal: After earning my degree in Supply Chain Management, I hope to be hired as a Procurement Manager by a major Fortune 500 company. Later in my career, I hope to either pursue a Master’s in Corporate Environmental Management or a Ph.D.
My BSP Experience: I worked closely with Professor Hollenbeck’s doctoral students in their research labs. Typically I would train teams of students on computer-based lab simulations using a scripted protocol. I also compiled much of the data from the research labs into organized Microsoft Excel Spreadsheets. This experience has increased my interest in research and led me to consider a future career as a professor at some point in my life.
Allison Kloc
Email: klocalli@msu.edu
Hometown: Belleville, Michigan
Major: Accounting
Year at MSU: Second Year
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Clay Voorhees, Department of Marketing
Research Projects: Marketing Research and Development: Mystery Shopping and Employee Evaluation
Career Goal: I plan to complete the 5-Year Master’s Degree in Accounting from Michigan State University and become a Certified Public Accountant. I’d like to work for a large firm after college, but my ultimate goal is to one day work from my home in order to raise a family.
My BSP Experience: Working within the BSP this year was a much different work experience than I have ever had before. I was responsible for completing most work on my own, as well as initiate meetings and interactions with my faculty mentor. BSP helped to enrich my learning experience and prepare me for the professional business world. The most interesting project I worked on this year was Mystery Shopping for a local convenience store. I learned a lot about how employees act when they think no one is watching, and it showed me that when I am in the workplace it is important to always put my best foot forward!
Clayton Meyers
Email: meyerscl@msu.edu
Hometown: Cedarville, MI (the UP)
Major: Finance/Economics
Year at MSU: Second year
Research Projects: CIBER – GlobalEDGE Team
Career Goal: Eventually, I would like to have my own investment boutique (similar to Berkshire Hathaway). Possibly do wealth management on my way there to create capital.
My BSP Experience: I worked in the International Business Center as a member of the GlobalEDGE team. Initially, I was assigned to the “academy” section; but transferred into the “industries” section my second semester. I will be taking control as lead of the industries team next year. For my projects I did: completed background descriptions and summaries on all 29 industries on GlobalEDGE, worked with the team to install a list of the Forbes top 2000 corporations for the past 5 years, and am in the process of adding an “international investment” section to the website that I initiated. It was very good to me. It showed me a little bit more of how important research is in business and definitely improved my knowledge on the area of business that I was researching. It also greatly distinguishes you from your peers as it is a very selective program and looks very good to recruiters.
Sarah Muir
Email: muirsara@msu.edu
Hometown: Romeo, MI
Major: Supply Chain Management
Year at MSU: Third Year (BSP Alumni)
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Tobias Schoenherr, Department of Supply Chain Management
Research Projects: Strategic Sourcing and Environmental Management Practices
Career Goal: After earning my degree from MSU I plan to get a job and gain experience in the business world. After some time, I may return to school for my masters or Ph.D.
My BSP Experience: I participated in guided research and weekly meetings with my mentor. Through this experience, I gained valuable research skills and a better understanding of my major.
Sam Ockwell
Email: sam.ockwell@hotmail.com
Hometown: Bristol, England/ West Bloomfield, MI
Major: General Management
Year at MSU: Second year
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Yuri Mishina, Department of Management
Research Projects: What Makes a Supergroup Successful?
Career Goal: Help Michigan
My BSP Experience: I got to code articles on rock supergroups and search databases for other supergroup articles. I loved getting to meet with a professor at MSU on a regular basis, especially considering that a lot of freshman classes are in big lecture halls where it is harder to get access to your professors.
Vishal Sunkarapalli
Email: sunkarap@msu.edu
Hometown: Troy, MI
Major: Finance/ International Business Specialization
Year at MSU: Third Year (BSP Alumni)
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Andrei Simonov, Department of Finance
Research Projects: European Stock Options
Career Goal: After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Finance, I hope to be working in corporate finance with a reputable firm. I hope to receive my Masters in Business Administration as well after a few years of work experience after my undergraduate years.
My BSP Experience: The BSP experience is an experience that is truly like no other. Being given such specialized responsibility my first two years of college truly let me hit the ground running. My mentor was great to work with and the project was very beneficial in enriching my interests in Finance. I truly attribute my resume to stand out due to the BSP.
