Student: Connor Butzine
East Carolina University College of Business student Connor Butzine is looking to the future as he prepares for graduation in May.
He has spent time reflecting on his choice to come to ECU. “I toured all of the colleges in North Carolina,” Butzine said. “East Carolina just felt special to me.
“The atmosphere is very attractive,” he said. “I was able to talk to professors and other faculty before I decided to attend, and I was able to learn more about the business program through them.”
Connor Butzine has been president of the ECU men’s club rugby team for two years. (Contributed photo)
Out of all of his courses through the College of Business, Butzine has enjoyed his time in international finance, with assistant professor Asligul Erkan. “As a finance major, this has been my first chance to get an international perspective on topics I have been learning about,” he said.
Butzine is grateful for the university and feels prepared to enter the workforce after graduation. “The professional development business core classes are really good for resume building, creation of a LinkedIn profile and networking opportunities,” he said.
The courses he’s taken have enabled him to feel more confident and comfortable going into job interviews and career fairs. “I gained a lot of practical skills,” Butzine said.
As an intern for First Bank of the Lake, Butzine put the skills he developed to work, completing a year and half worth of experience in government guaranteed lending. In his internship, he’s engaged in multiple projects with his coworkers and provides customer support services.
After graduation, he’ll begin working full time as an internal auditor with Credit Suisse in Raleigh. “I am excited about the opportunities that are coming,” he said.
Butzine also puts in work for the ECU men’s club rugby team on and off the field. He has served as the president of the team for two years, and served as vice president as a sophomore.
Through the rugby team, he engages in acts of service on campus. “We like to help with freshman move-in and other service projects that come up with Campus Recreation and Wellness,” Butzine said.
Through the rugby team, he has had the opportunity to travel to other college campuses. “We get to see a lot of different areas of North and South Carolina, and this year we even head out to Tennessee,” he said.
So far this season, the team has traveled to Greer, South Carolina, and competed in its first conference tournament for the year, placing second. When he isn’t developing his professional career or playing rugby, Butzine enjoys spending time with friends, traveling and being outside as much as possible. As a fan of ECU athletics, Butzine enjoys attending ECU sporting events such as football and baseball.
STATISTICS
Name: Connor Butzine
College: College of Business
Major: Finance
Age: 22
Classification/Year: Senior
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
Hobbies/interests: Rugby, boating, skiing, hanging out with friends
Clubs and Organizations: Men’s rugby
FAVORITES
Favorite hangout: Christy’s Euro Pub
Favorite place on campus: Main Campus Student Center
Favorite place to eat: Angus Grill
Favorite class: International finance
Professor who influenced you the most: Dr. Asligul Erkan
Favorite TV shows: “Breaking Bad”
Favorite band/musician: Red Hot Chili Peppers
Favorite movie: “Interstellar”
Favorite app: Instagram
MOTIVATIONS
Dream job: Chief financial officer
Role model: Grandfather
Your words to live by: “It is what it is.”
What is something cool about ECU that you wish you knew during your first year? Our rugby team has been on campus for nearly 50 years!