Alumni Profiles
Here are responses from a few recent Bentley graduates about their experience on campus and how their education has led them to their future goals:
Greg Conklin, BS Accountancy '07
Hometown: Albany, NY
Best academic experience at Bentley?
I participated in a management course that enabled students to analyze business cases and compete with other schools in a case based competition. It was beneficial to see how the concepts I was learning in class applied to a real life business case.
Best social experience at Bentley?
I was a resident assistant at Bentley, which means that I was responsible for a floor in one of the residence halls each year. This not only gave me the opportunity to engage with my peers on my floor, but also across campus through fundraisers, programs, barbecues, sports events and community interaction programs. It was a great way for me to meet new friends each year, as well as play a part in engaging students in this great campus.
How did you use career services and their resources? I leveraged Career Services as early as my sophomore year when they helped me prepare a resume and practice a behavioral interview in preparation for an interview with Deloitte. I also utilized their services during my junior and senior years to seek internships and full-time job opportunities.
How do you feel Bentley helped prepare you for what you are doing now?
I am a finance strategy and transformation consultant with IBM Global Business Services. I am currently working based out of New Orleans, Louisiana, and have found myself traveling to many job locations in different states since the start of my position — this keeps my work interesting and new. Bentley academics gave me a foundation for working in a group atmosphere and quickly learning how to solve problems — both integral parts of being a consultant. Furthermore, Bentley professors always pushed students to ask questions and challenge the subject at hand, which is also a critical skill in the consulting profession.
Lindsay Weiner, BS Marketing '06
Hometown: Rumson, NJ
Best academic experience at Bentley?
I would have to say my General Business 301 class project. We were required to work in teams and analyze the corporate structure, financial statements, debt history, cashflows, and marketing strategy of a real company. After analyzing every aspect of the company, we created a streamlined marketing concept that would eventually be used in the company's marketing campaign. This project gave me and my fellow classmates a taste of what we would be facing in the business world.
Best social experience at Bentley?
Swimming and having the opportunity to be captain of the swim team win hands down! Swimming taught me dedication, time management, and perseverance. However, swimming also allowed me to meet and connect with 40 new people. Because we all knew the difficulties of being a full time college student and a full time varsity athlete, we all supported one another. I had 40 best friends who I could rely on. Even though we had to rest on Friday nights for Saturday meets, we always knew how to enjoy our free time on Saturday nights!
How did you use career services and their resources?
Career Services helped me construct my resume, as well as go over practice interview questions. I would not have been prepared for my interviews if it were not for the help of the Career Services office.
How do you feel Bentley helped prepare you for what you are doing now?
I am currently in Sales for Bloomberg Financial in New York City. I travel to Florida every two weeks in order to meet with clients, learn about my clients' businesses, and streamline my clients' workflows. With Bentley's diverse business background, I felt prepared and comfortable when I started my job with Bloomberg. The classes I took at Bentley continuously help me understand every aspect of my clients' businesses.
Christina Conklin, BS Marketing '06
Hometown: Dedham, MA
Best academic experience at Bentley?
During the spring semester of my senior year, I took MK421: "Internship in Marketing Practice" where I was able to relate my learning experiences from within the classroom to my semester internship at Reebok. I selected a seminar project topic that I was interested in and worked closely with my team at Reebok to develop my report.
Best social experience at Bentley?
Studying Abroad. During the spring semester of my junior year, I studied abroad in Florence, Italy. By far my best social experience at Bentley. I recommend all new students to consider studying abroad!
How did you use career services and their resources?
While studying at Bentley, I used career services’ online resources to help create my resume and cover letter. I also used their interview tips to help settle the nerves while interviewing for internships! I often met with career counselors to review my resumes and cover letters throughout my years at Bentley.
Current job or path in life and how do you feel Bentley helped prepare you for what you are doing now?
I work for a non-profit organization in Austin, TX called Texas Round-Up. Our mission is to improve the health of Texas through education and promotion of physical activity and healthy living. My marketing and PR courses at Bentley, along with my internship at Reebok, helped prepare me for my current position working closely with the athletic industry of Texas.
