ECU COB students take on Miami business opportunities
Miami, Florida, is growing. According to a report by Miami Realtors, the city’s population rate has risen quicker than the nation’s and the state’s. This growth creates opportunities. Earlier this month, ECU College of Business students seized on this fact and created a networking trip.
“I had sleepless nights as it was the most responsibility placed upon myself in my entire life,” said Christian Vito, COB senior and trip co-planner. “This trip was an opportunity to do something that has never been done before.”
All told, 57 students, along with an entourage of faculty and staff, traveled to Miami to meet with different businesses and alumni to see what southeast Florida could have in store for them. The majority of the businesses were in banking and finance, but there were also opportunities in marketing and accounting.
“[We wanted to] help grow ECU’s connection with an exponentially growing financial hub in America,” said Garrison Miller, a COB junior who helped plan the trip. “This trip was student-led. Students want to help each other and are putting in the work to help each other get job opportunities.
Initially, the trip was planned without any input from the COB. Student group leaders from the Financial Management Association, Investment Club and Winning in Business wanted to network in Miami, like other student trips have done in large markets, such as the annual COB trip to New York City in the fall. Once plans started solidifying, COB Director of Outreach Paige Hill got involved. She suggested where they might reach out to for funding, but it was up to the student leaders to secure the money needed. They ended up receiving support from the COB, the Finance and Insurance Department, the student-led Blacksail Fund, the Cunanan Center for Professional Success, Student Government Association, club reserves, private donations and a small amount the students had to pay out of pocket.
“This should encourage students to participate in taking the next step in the learning journey,” said student Yahir Flores. “This trip is a great way to show students that learning is not only done on campus and that the school wants to bring students into real settings to give an experience and an amazing learning opportunity.”
The nearly five dozen students broke off into smaller groups to visit StoneX, the Miami Stock Exchange, Bermont Gold (Raymond James), COARE Companies, Bradesco Bank, Miyares Group, Hay Day Marketing, Berkadia and KelliWorks Accounting Firm. Representatives from the businesses took a couple of hours to talk about their companies with the students and the various opportunities they might be able to get involved with.
“I got involved because I’m a big believer that sometimes all someone needs is one open door, one ‘yes,’ one conversation, one opportunity,” said Kelli Lewis, founder of KelliWorks. “I was impressed right away not just by the questions they asked, but by how engaged they were. They weren’t ‘checking the box.’ They were present.”
One of the students who visited KelliWorks was Immersive MBA student Andrea Knight. She said she made a connection with Lewis.
Cole Villagomez imagines what it would be like to hit in the home of the Miami Marlins during a visit to their stadium.
“This trip was important to me because, as a newer member of the ECU Investment Club, I wanted to build foundational industry knowledge, understand the possible career pathways and establish relationships that could ultimately develop into mentorships over time,” Knight said.
Miller said multiple banks asked for resumes from students and made LinkedIn connections. He added that many students are now following up with the companies they visited and are applying for job postings.
“The trip gave ECU exposure in Miami, and now we have the potential for students to work there in the future,” said senior finance major Katelyn Haley. “This can lead to a pipeline of ECU students working in the area.”
Vito is one of those students who is aiming for Miami, or more specifically, Brickell or Fort Lauderdale. He wants to work in the banking industry or an adjacent field. He graduates in May.
“I loved the area and everyone I met,” Vito said. “I was so pleased with the relationships we fostered and cannot wait to find a job that complements my skillset.”
The students took every available opportunity they could, including a tour of LoanDepot Park, the home of Major League Baseball’s Florida Marlins. The Marlins manager is Greenville native and ECU alumnus Clayton McCullough, and their third baseman is former ECU Pirate Connor Norby. The Marlins’ vice president of public relations and communications met with the students, talking a bit about the business side of the Marlins and what students can do if a career in professional sports is for them.
“I am incredibly proud of our students,” said Dr. Mike Harris, dean of ECU’s College of Business. “We talk all of the time about how it takes going above and beyond to separate yourself from the competition, and these students took that to heart. They planned and executed this trip on their own. I am really looking forward to seeing how this trip to Miami will be a stepping stone for their careers.”
College of Business students, faculty and staff visited Miami to network and learn.
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