The first activity, once everyone arrived, was general networking. This time was fun for me because I am not really that timid when it comes to walking up and just starting up a conversation with a person. The ratio of students to professionals was quite out of balance so it was difficult to find someone that wasn’t already occupied by one, two, maybe even five students at once. That just made it more interesting! It has always been exciting to me to speak to a complete stranger and adapt to their style of conversation, and relate to them in any ways that I can. I spoke with around 5 professionals during this thirty minute period and I left it feeling very energized and content. In the criminal law field, communication and expression is extremely vital, so it is reassuring to realize I enjoy and excel in those areas.
Next up came the first station for my group, peer networking. We had been warned in advance that if a professional did not have someone to interview at their station, extra people would be sent down to go fill the hole, which ensures no volunteer was ever just sitting around idly. So of course, during my first station, I was randomly selected to go down to the library and have my first interview. The process for this was to just walk in, find the nearest, nicest face and go up to them. My first interview was with a Librarian at the Frisco Public Library. She asked a lot of the tough, typical interview questions, which really prepared me going forward during the rest of the day. I also learned a lot from what she had to say about the professional world and college. She was relatively young, and attended UNT, which gave her a unique outlook on the whole system of applications. Some tips she gave me when I asked about college was to expect the unexpected, apply as early as I can, and have a unique perspective or story to tell in all of my essays.
The remainder of the day involved a lecture about marketing (not only products, but the individual), college admissions, a Q&A session with ISM Alumni and two more interviews. I can definitely say that the interviews were my favorite part of the whole event. My second one was with a Human Resources director at Baylor Scott & White. During that particular interaction, I felt like I asked more of the questions and kept the conversation flowing, which was quite the opposite of my first interview. It did, however, give me practical experience, because during the informational interviews we conduct for ISM, it is essential that the conversation with the professional flows. As the interviewer, that is mostly my job. Finally, my third interview was with a female in Corporate Communications, where I had another incredible experience just talking. She told me to know my target audience when I am marketing myself, to have an opinion but still remain open-minded and open-minded. This is advice I am more than ready to start applying.
Overall, the Business Symposium was very successful for me in many ways. I am more sure in my choice to study the field of criminal law, as I realize that being under pressure and communicating is a tasking challenge that I immensely enjoy. Also, I gained many invaluable pieces of advice about the future, college, the professional world, and even how to handle being a leader. I am very grateful to the ISM program for providing me with this experience.
