Advice from prominent business professionals and university alumni will be available to students today and Thursday, compliments of Miller College of Business.
The 25th Annual Miller College of Business Alumni Dialogue Days will begin at 8 a.m. and run through Thursday at the Whitinger Business Building.
Tamara Estep, director of External Relations, said Dialogue Days provides a forum for alumni and business professionals to share their insights and experiences with students.
“It bridges the gap between academia and the business community and helps facilitate ties between Ball State alumni and business students,” Estep said.
More than 70 alumni will visit campus over the course of the two-day event, and they will speak in more than 120 business classes. Estep said the alumni represent diverse professions and industries.
The alumni vary from sales executives to entrepreneurs, accountants, managers, information technology and chief executive officers of industries as diverse as manufacturing and finance.
“Each alumni that comes is connected with a faculty member and we ask them to talk about certain business trends that are out according to the particular class they’re presenting to,” said Sue Taylor, assistant director of Alumni Reunions and Constituent Relations.
Dialogue Day used to be held the Friday of Homecoming Week, but has expanded in recent years.
“By holding the event on more than one day, this afforded our alumni more opportunities to work a visit to campus into their schedules,” Estep said.
Alumni will visit various classes and will be available to share their experiences and engage students in discussions, and three panel discussions will be open to all students.
The first panel discussion, “Navigating the Turbulent Waters of Career Advancement,” will precede the Cardinal Career Fair at 3:30 pm Thursday in Whitinger Business Building room 144.
“Students tell us how grateful they are to have an opportunity to interact with our alumni and appreciate the opportunity to ask questions related to their interest and ideas,” Estep said.
“Faculty affirm that it is meaningful for students to hear about and be exposed to successful professionals that have chosen diverse career paths and alumni assert that they are excited about the opportunity to visit campus, enjoy their time spent with the students and see this program as a way to give back to the university,” Estep said.
For more information, go to the event page on Ball State’s website.
