Stephanie likes the close-knit feeling of Burlington.

Burlington is a small, wonderful little town. Everything is close by, and everybody knows everybody. I like it because it's quiet and not as crazy as big cities. I am a transfer student from Vermont Technical College, but I wanted to come to Champlain even when I was studying there.

Champlain provides support and community.
Champlain is a really great school. I have a lot more support here than I had at my previous school-the professors, the library, they all are very resourceful and help me with anything I need. The SMART Space is where I go when I need accounting help, and the students there are so helpful and smart.

She loves how career-focused her program is and knows she'll be prepared when she graduates.
Almost all of my classes are focused on my major, which is really nice because it is preparing me for my career early in my education. My Core classes teach me how to be successful in the outside world and the workplace. After I get my degree, I aspire to continue my studies in law school. I know my education at Champlain is supported by great professors and curriculum, which is why I am confident that Champlain prepared me for my future.

Stephanie, Business Administration major
Burlington, VT
ROBERT P. STILLER SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

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 particularlyrewarding/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 toexperiences 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 

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.

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.

After living here for one school year, 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

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

I chose Champlain because I liked that it's a smaller and closely connected school, but is still in the heart of downtown Burlington. The atmosphere makes everyone feel safe, and the beauty of the school makes you never want to leave. I enjoy going everywhere, like Oakledge Park in Burlington to have a barbecue and play Frisbee with friends.

I feel comfortable at Champlain. The faculty and staff have all been wonderful, and my major has made me passionate about my future career. It's nice to go to a school that allows teacher-student  appreciation. The classes are small and interactive. I don't leave the room feeling bored. The Core Curriculum has also really helped me improve my writing skills and keep in mind that I need to stay creative.

At first, I wasn't entirely sure that I wanted to study Business Administration because I have many passions, but the program gives me so many options for my career, including the option to change things up completely. I am so happy with my choice and I can't wait to earn a degree here.

Allison, Business Administration Major
Colchester, VT
ROBERT P. STILLER SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

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.

"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 participated in Champlain's Summer Bridge Program* for transfer students. "The fact that you can take six credits in the summer is a huge help. It will save time during the semester so I can focus on my major."

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

 *The Summer Bridge Program has evolved since and has been incorporated into the Core requirements for transfer students.

Where is Veronica now?
Veronica is now working for Dealer.com in Burlington, Vermont, as a Senior Digital Strategist.