Creative Minds Come Together at School of Business Event
It was all about networking, selling and establishing professional connections in the Malburg Atrium and the Fletcher Jones Auditorium on the evening of November 13 when the School of Business held its third annual “Creative Minds Conference.”
A dozen business leaders, representing a wide variety of industries and organizations within the San Fernando Valley, were available to a large crowd of students from across the Woodbury community, many of whom came prepared with their CV or portfolio. Prior to the conference, Career Services coordinator, Oswaldo Navarro, had conducted a resume workshop with students to assist them in preparing to meet and network with these business leaders. In addition, students had the opportunity to have a professional headshot taken.
The annual Creative Minds Conference was developed by the School of Business’ Advisory Board a few years ago. It is organized by School of Business dean, Dr. Joan Marques, in close collaboration with Woodbury’s chapter of Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization (CEO), and other School of Business student organizations, including the Business and Professional Women of Woodbury (BPWOW), The Accounting Society, and the MBA Association, as well as faculty and staff.
As in previous years, the highlight of the evening was the pitch contest, “So You Think You Can Sell?”, which had 15 students from across Woodbury’s disciplines, engaging in one-minute sales pitches of random items. The pitches were insightful, eloquent and oftentimes hilarious.
“So You Think You Can Sell?” was coordinated by Dr. Nathan Garrett, assistant dean and IT expert in the School of Business. After the first round, where audience members had an opportunity to vote, the five remaining candidates had to sell another round of even more challenging items.
The winners of the “So You Think You Can Sell?” contest were:
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Alexis Ash (BBA-Fashion Marketing) – $750.00 donated by Neil Sherman, Advisory Board member and Owner/CEO of Industrial Metal Supply.
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Odette Hovsepian (MBA) – $750.00 donated by Tracy Hernandez, Advisory Board member and Founding Chief Executive Officer of the Los Angeles County Business Federation (BizFed)
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Julian Mercado (BFA-Filmmaking) – $500.00 donated by Ahdee Abramson, Advisory Board member and Owner/CEO of Pet Ventures.
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Darien Jewel (BFA-Filmmaking) – $250.00 donated by Dr. Andre van Niekerk, Advisory Board member, Vice President at Whittier Trust, and Dean Emeritus, School of Business.
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Victor Jarvis (BBA-Management) – $250.00 donated by Dr. Paul Sabolic, Visiting Professor, School of Business, Business Consultant, and Advisor, CEO.
The Creative Minds Conference continues to be a well-received fall-semester highlight in the School of Business.