Photos by Nolan Schmidt and Dan Francis
Our business community is lucky to have so many great institutions of education right in our backyard, providing us with a great talent pool of young professionals to pull from. However, with their hometowns, the Twin Cities and other major metropolitan areas pulling at the very same talent pool, it’s important to start recruiting early on in the process. One way to do so is by getting involved with NDSU’s student-run club, NDSU Women In Business.
The club, which meets every Thursday at 6 p.m., partners with local businesses, giving them the opportunity to hear from impactful speakers and network for career opportunities. They have already worked with the likes of these business leaders in the community: SCHEELS, Doosan Bobcat, Bell Bank, Eide Bailly and Discovery Benefits. Why haven’t you?
In just two short years since being founded, 50 percent of the group’s executive team has landed internships through connections they have made with the club.
And why wouldn’t you want to have them on your team?
- 70 percent of members are on the dean’s list
- Member is the Ethics Challenge Champion
- Member is the NDSU Accounting Student of the Year
- Multiple members will be graduating early
The club was originally founded in 2018 by Hannah Langle and Sammi Wojcik in order to “create a community of women who inspire and support each other in their careers.” Both graduated, Lange is now a Venture and Finance Analyst for the North Dakota Department of Commerce and Wojcik is High Yield Municipal Credit Analyst for Piper Sandler.
The two actually saw the need for the club while participating in a different club, Bison Fund, a student run investment fund. While participating in the club, Lange and Wojcik noticed they were the only two women in the club. So, they set out to provide a solution and give women at NDSU an opportunity to get involved.
“I just think it’s really important, especially in today’s day and age to really support other women,” said Lange. “It’s really important to create an environment that allows women to have those networking experiences that are very beneficial.”
2021 President
“The confidence that women have gotten through this organization is awesome to see, said Wojcik. “These students are now reaching out to business professionals in the community and making those relationships that they otherwise wouldn’t have.”
-Megan Fletcher, 2021 President of NDSU Women In Business
In addition to hearing from speakers and networking at their bi-weekly meetings every Thursday at 6 p.m., the group will also volunteer. Over the last two years, the group has combined 50 hours of volunteer time which has included, among other things:
- Helping at least 15 children get blankets that they can use in their time in the hospital
- Connecting with at least 15 elderly women over conversation and manicures
- Involvement with The Letter Project allowed club members to connect with Girls all over America who are in need of advice or encouragement
- Helping provide food, clothing, and presents through The Great North Pole
If you are interested in getting involved, email [email protected]
