On Friday, Oct. 27, Columbia College Assistant Professor of Finance and Chair of the Robert W. Plaster School of Business Dr. Mary Dorn and four business students trekked to Kansas City for The Financial Planning Association (FPA) of Greater Kansas City’s 2023 Career Day. This marked the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic that the association held the event.
Columbia College business majors (L-R) Andrew Voss, Braydon Boyer, Jimmy Layton and Madeline Burton sit-in on a keynote address at the Kansas City for The Financial Planning Association (FPA) of Greater Kansas City’s 2023 Career Day. Photo provided by Dr. Mary Dorn
Hosted by American Century Investments, whose headquarters are in downtown Kansas City, CC business majors Braydon Boyer, Madeline Burton, Jimmy Layton and Andrew Voss enjoyed a day of networking, professional development and a tour of the facility.
For Burton, who aspires to work in the finance sector post-graduation from Columbia College, attending a major event like the FPA Career Day was an opportunity she couldn’t pass up.
“It was a goldmine of information, networking, career development opportunities and an overall enriching experience,” Burton says. “The day started with a keynote address and a panel featuring a member from each company present at the event. Perhaps my favorite part of the day was a ‘speed dating’ session with sponsors that turned into a great networking experience.
“I was able to have one-on-one conversations with each employer and gain a better understanding of what qualities and skillset they seek in a candidate. I would highly recommend a great event like this to my classmates in the future if they were presented with an opportunity like this!”
Columbia College Assistant Professor of Finance and Chair of the Robert W. Plaster School of Business Dr. Mary Dorn (middle) is accompanied by CC business majors (L-R) Madeline Burton, Jimmy Layton, Andrew Voss and Braydon Boyer at the FPA of Greater Kansas City’s 2023 Career Day. Photo provided by Dr. Mary Dorn
Behind a commitment to improving students’ lives through quality degree programs, Dr. Dorn and fellow faculty members in The Robert W. Plaster School of Business are emphasizing real-life experience opportunities as part of their curriculum.
All four students who attended the event are also Columbia College student-athletes who regularly manage challenging academic and extracurricular responsibilities. With tight schedules, Boyer says the chance to capitalize on a professional development opportunity like the FPA Career Day through the college was greatly appreciated.
“Dr. Dorn did a great job in bringing this opportunity to her students and it was an amazing experience,” Boyer says. “We were able to listen to great speakers, participate in valuable networking events and tour a facility of a major corporate entity. I’d recommend something like this to anyone who’s interested in exploring their potential future profession. The whole experience was a 10/10.”
