Why did you transfer to Champlain?

I was fortunate enough to find Robert Kiyosaki's book, Why 'A' Students Work for 'C' Students and 'B' Students Work for the Government, in which he mentions that Champlain College is the only educational institution that provides financial literacy knowledge in the United States. That is why and how I decided to transfer to Champlain.

What would you say is the strength of the professors and the classroom experience at Champlain?
The opportunity to get the real-life experience right off the bat from our incredibly passionate and well-experienced professors. Our professors go out of their way to make sure that students understand the material properly.

What projects have you worked on in classes that you've found particularly rewarding/useful?
In my first-year, first-semester class Business and the Entrepreneurial Mindset, we participated in a six-week project called BizCafe, in which we ran a virtual coffee shop and made weekly decisions surrounding the business, including ordering coffee, hiring and firing servers, advertising and promoting the business, and setting hours of operation, employee wages as well as the prices of menu items. 

Have you had opportunities to apply what you've learned in the classroom to experiences outside the program?
Being an RA, I became more consistent, meaning that I am not as easily affected by the outcomes of different kinds of situations. I am a much better communicator, since I have been doing public speaking for a year. Furthermore, being an RA gives me a great opportunity to apply my values such as integrity and responsibility.

Have you had any internships while at Champlain?
Successfully completing diverse internships throughout my college career has been a priority. During summer 2016 the Freeman Foundation Program provided 25 fellow students and me with a great opportunity to spend two months interning at Chinese companies in Shanghai, China, while experiencing authentic Chinese culture. My internship experience proved to be valuable in terms of exposure and knowledge and provided me with a cumulative opportunity to integrate all I have learned at Champlain College and apply it in a practical setting.

I also interned at an investment firm, where I worked on a macroeconomic research project to aid the emerging markets investment team in its evaluation of emerging economies. My leadership, presentation and teamwork skills have continued to strengthen, and this experience will help me to apply my analytical skills and business acumen to be successful in the financial services industry.

How has your experience at Champlain changed you?
I look at things with different perspectives. I have grown more into an adult, being an RA, PA, Orientation Leader for International Students helped me mature. I had great exposure to different people with different outlooks who have also given me deeper perspective.

Zhomart, Business Administration and Finance Double Major 
Almaty, Kazakhstan
ROBERT P. STILLER SCHOOL OF BUSINESS 

After visiting, Josh knew Champlain was the perfect college for him... 

When I was looking for colleges, I hired an expert to help me find the perfect fit. I had the opportunity to come out to Champlain, visit the campus and speak with several professors. Because of the amazing academic system that Champlain offers, I decided to submit my application as Early Decision.

Champlain's Business Administration major allows Josh to explore his passions...

I have always had a deep love for the art of music and have been DJing for ten years. My music has been heard in over twenty countries. But no one can survive in the entertainment world without watching their own back. I decided to major in Business Administration at Champlain and master in music elsewhere. There are many programs, teachers and classes that have supported my interest in being a business major and applying it to DJ entertainment. I'm learning new ways to market myself as a DJ, which has helped me stay not just one step, but several steps ahead of my competition. Also, because Champlain has the type of teachers that care about you as a person and not just a number, I have had countless interactions with my teachers to discuss how I can improve marketing my DJ name.

Living in Burlington has given Josh multiple professional opportunities...

I have DJed for corporate events and made a decent mark on Church Street. With the help of Champlain, I have DJed well over fifty events this school year. Champlain has helped me go from a nobody to one of the top requested DJs in Burlington.

Josh, Business Administration Major
Northbrook, IL
ROBERT P. STILLER SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

After graduation... 
Josh is the Founder & Lead Strategist for Church Street DJs, in Burlington, VT.

Zento's Business Administration major allows him to explore his creative side...

When I was looking at colleges, Champlain really stood out based on their creativeness and how they are also business-oriented. I didn't have to choose something that just is art-related or just business. Now, I'm studying the business side of the film industry.

Champlain's career-focused education allowed Zento to intern all over the world...

I've done six internships in three years now. And I always found an internship that I enjoyed doing or something that was related to what I want to do in the future. The Robert P. Stiller School of Business has the Freeman Foundation Grant that lets you intern in Shanghai, China, and it gives kids like myself the opportunity to go abroad when they wouldn't be able to otherwise. Because the grant gave me the chance to go for free, I took it by storm. I got an internship at Jin's Skateboarding doing social media and marketing for them, which was quite the experience.

Zento started his own business for his Senior Capstone...

Your Capstone is not just another school project; it's based on what you want to do after graduation. The Business Administration Capstone is client-based. I made my own company my client. I'm in the process of making the company: a video production business called Dialed. It's scary, and it's a lot of pressure. But when an employer sees that you did this entire project on top of other coursework, it will blow them out of the water.

Burlington, Vermont, is Zento's favorite place to be...

Burlington is absolutely incredible. I've been able to ride my bike, skateboard, ski and fish in one day, and have time to do homework. It's insane. Coming from New Jersey in the New York City area, you don't have the beauty, clean air or access to the solitary areas like you do up here. After travelling to Shanghai and other places in the world, I can now say that I think Burlington is one of the most incredible places on the planet.

Zento, Business Administration
Leona, NJ
Studied abroad in Shanghai, China
ROBERT P. STILLER SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

Dehjia knew she'd be a good fit for the Business Administration major.
I chose Business Administration because growing up, I was always told that I carried the gift of persuasion and that my communication skills were strong. I decided that I would have a future in the business world due to my strength, drive, dedication and straightforwardness. The business program at Champlain College is amazing. I very much enjoy the group projects because they give me the chance to broadcast my natural leadership abilities while also giving the opportunity to work with different people with different personalities. 

She volunteered with a local organization as part of her Core class.
A specific project that I was able to work on that I found rewarding was for my Global Condition class. I worked with Feeding Chittenden and was granted the opportunity to cook for and feed low-income families that live in poverty around the Burlington area. 

Dehjia is using skills she started honing in her first year to chart her professional career.
I started my professional career as an Administrative Assistant at the Quality Inn in Colchester, Vermont. I was in charge of making reservations, solving guest issues, keeping track of paperwork and maintaining a strong work ethic. I've enhanced the skills I've gained at Champlain since my first year to guide me through my professional career so far, especially my communication skills. I have learned to be well-rounded and adapt to any and every situation I am faced with. Since this internship, I'm now a Front Desk Manager at the Hampton Inn in Burlington. 

She's got big dreams...
After graduation, I plan to go to culinary school to be one step closer to opening up my restaurant.

Dehjia, Business Administration major
Philadelphia, PA
Studied abroad in Montreal, Canada
ROBERT P. STILLER SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

After Champlain, Veronica headed straight into her field and landed a position with Dealer.com in Burlington, VT as a Digital Strategist. In no time at all, Veronica worked her way up to becoming a Senior Digital Strategist. 

How did she get there? 

Veronica's Business Administration major was tailored to her interests... 

When Veronica transferred to Champlain, she wanted to merge her passion for photography with Business Administration. With help from her advisor, Professor (now Dean) Dr. Scott Baker, Veronica designed a professional photography specialization. "I can still do what I love but with a business background," says Veronica, who used her transferred photography credits to create the specialization.

Veronica's classes gave her the skills she needed to enter her field...

"I already feel I could start a business with the knowledge I now have," says Veronica. "Since taking accounting, I know how to manage money, and Business 110 showed me the different parts of a business and how they work together."

Veronica, Business Administration
Waitsfield, VT
ROBERT P. STILLER SCHOOL OF BUSINESS