Michigan Tech College of Business Newsblog

Business Degrees Add Up to Success for New Grads

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Four soon-to-be graduates stand near a sign that says Accounting in their caps and gowns at Michigan Tech graduation.
From left, accounting majors Jason Pleau, Amber Tuttle, Faith Nayback, and Chris Berard prepare to walk in Michigan Tech’s 2024 Midyear Commencement ceremony.

Nearly 50 College of Business (COB) students marked a major milestone in their lives on Saturday as Michigan Tech staged its 2024 Midyear Commencement ceremony. In the lineup section reserved for graduating business students, four accounting majors were the first to arrive—a fact that surprised none of them.

“I mean, we are accountants,” said Jason Pleau. For Pleau and his fellow accounting graduates, the job opportunities are as predictable as their purported tendency to arrive prepared and on time. The accounting program has a 92 percent job placement rate.

“Once you have your degree, what you can do is pretty broad. You can choose your niche,” said Pleau, who will begin his career at Schneider National, working in internal audit.

The other members of the early bird quartet, Amber Tuttle, Faith Nayback, and Chris Berard, are also embarking on fulfilling careers. Tuttle is already a Michigan Tech staff member, putting her skills to work as an associate buyer in the Purchasing Department. Faith Nayback said she’s headed “to the other end of the U.P.” near Kinross, to work in payroll and tax. Berard is going into audit at PWC in Detroit.Dean Johnson, dean of the College of Business, congratulated all of the graduates and offered some advice.

“We’re proud to have you as COB alumni!” he said. “In the days ahead, remember to thank your family and friends who supported you, make a great first impression at your new venture after graduation, and be a life-long learner—don’t stop educating yourself.”

Tuttle is already taking the Dean’s advice. She plans to go for her Tech MBA.

About the College of Business

The Michigan Tech College of Business prepares tomorrow’s business professionals through STEM-infused, AACSB-accredited degree programs and minors. The college offers nine bachelor of science programs in accounting, business analytics, construction management, economics, engineering management, finance, management, management information systems, and marketing; and four master of science programs in accounting and analytics, applied natural resource economics, engineering management, and the TechMBA®.Questions? Contact us at business@mtu.edu.

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Impact Magazine Highlights College of Business Students, Faculty, and Alumni

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The Michigan Tech Alumni Gateway Arch is lit on a cold winter night with a snowy campus in the background.
Michigan Tech’s College of Business celebrates student accomplishments, entrepreneurial spirit, and STEM-infused degree program innovations in the latest issue of Impact Magazine. 

Online and on kitchen tables, the new issue of Impact Magazine is ready to read wherever you are. Get the latest news from Michigan Tech’s College of Business (COB), including student accomplishments, research that helps communities steer toward a brighter economic future, and real-life advice from dynamic entrepreneurs and alumni.

Dean Johnson, dean of the College, said Impact’s theme this year highlights the Michigan Tech difference. “College of Business students study more than business,” he said. “Science, technology, engineering, and math are infused into COB courses and programs. Classes connect disciplines. Degree programs cross borders.”

Read all about it in the online version of the 2024 Impact Magazine. Your comments on the current issue and suggestions for stories in future issues are welcome. Email them to Cyndi Perkins, managing editor, at cmperkin@mtu.edu.

About the College of Business

The Michigan Tech College of Business prepares tomorrow’s business professionals through STEM-infused, AACSB-accredited degree programs and minors. The college offers nine bachelor of science programs in accounting, business analytics, construction management, economics, engineering management, finance, management, management information systems, and marketing; and four master of science programs in accounting and analytics, applied natural resource economics, engineering management, and the TechMBA®.

Questions? Contact us at business@mtu.edu. Follow the College of Business on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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Houghton High School Team Wins Husky Investment Tournament

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Houghton High School students Birk Seagren, Nadja Doman, and Layla Hilts

The fall Husky Investment Tournament results are in! Congratulations to the winners, a team of three students from Houghton High School who grew their virtual portfolio by nearly 11%, increasing its value to $1,108,424.82. The students–Nadja Doman, Layla Hilts, and Birk Seagren–were awarded a $1,000 cash prize. All active tournament participants received a one-time $1,000 Michigan Tech scholarship.

The 12th grade students were in a Personal Finance class instructed by Jennifer Rubin. All of the students in the class participated in the tournament. Rubin says she loves the value that the Husky Investment Tournament provides for her students. “It is a great way to expose them into investing and see live-time how the market works!” she said.

The students’ winning strategy was to purchase a lot of small, growing investment companies, as well as some large stable ones to ensure growth and stability. They did their research to determine which investments had the best returns, looked at trending stocks and stocks they were familiar with, and invested in stocks that aligned with their interests and values.

And a little luck helped, too!

“I liked that it felt like a real investing experience,” said one student. Another said, “I learned that stocks can change in the blink of an eye and there’s always opportunity for success.”

Competing in this fall’s tournament were 202 students on 53 teams from Houghton High School, Marquette Senior High School, Gogebic-Ontonagon, Calumet High School, and Dollar Bay High School. The tournament took place from September 30 to November 8.

Founded in 2019 and hosted by the Michigan Tech College of Business, in the semi-annual Husky Investment Tournament teams of high school students compete with teams at schools in their region while learning about business, finance, investing, and economics as they build an investment portfolio with $1 million virtual dollars.

Typically enrolled in economics, business, or personal finance classes, the students learn about investing step-by-step through a series of weekly videos and articles produced by College of Business students and faculty, which are presented in their classes and augmented by additional learning from their teachers.

To manage their investments, the student teams use Stocktrak, an all-in-one software package for financial education. The platform includes videos, lessons, and other tutorials on hundreds of investment-related topics. For trading, Stocktrak provides a paper-brokerage account that closely resembles the real brokerage accounts offered by investment firms.

Learn more about the Husky Investment Competition.

Leaderboard

Rank Team Market Value Portfolio Value Trades Made % Return
1 husky0160 1,103,868.86 1,108,424.82 28 10.84
2 husky0131 1,087,931.00 1,092,429.43 8 9.24
3 husky0437 1,058,938.15 1,089,061.49 79 8.91
4 husky0187 1,096,198.70 1,086,193.26 33 8.62
5 husky0184 1,072,184.78 1,072,978.95 25 7.3
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College of Business Graduate Programs Info Session Is Nov. 14

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Two graduate students in the Michigan Tech College of Business discuss advanced degree programs while looking at a laptop computer.
The College of Business offers four advanced degree programs, including accelerated and online options.

If you’re thinking about pursuing a master’s degree, you’re invited to attend an information session about College of Business graduate programs. The session takes place from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 14 in Academic Office Building 101. It will include details about coursework, application requirements, and accelerated and online programs. Pizza and beverages will be served.The College of Business graduate programs that will be discussed include:

  • TechMBA: The two-semester 30-credit Tech MBA® program with evening classes focuses on technology and decision-making, leadership and management skills, and innovation and strategy. Additional education in corporate social responsibility, ethics, and legal issues is integrated throughout the curriculum. Graduate Program Director: Mari Buche Graduate Program Associate Director: Manish Srivastava.

  • Accounting and Analytics MS: Our coursework-only program consists of 30 credit hours and can be completed in less than a year. Eligible Michigan Tech undergraduate students can complete the Master of Science in Accounting and Analytics with 24 credit hours of study beyond the BS degree through the Accelerated Master’s Program. Graduate Program Director: Laura Sieder. Graduate Program Assistant: Laura Shawhan.

  • Engineering Management MS: The master’s degree in engineering management differs from the Tech MBA® by placing engineering knowledge into the context of operations management, teaching the leadership and communication skills necessary for managing a high-technology, cross-disciplinary team. Graduate Program Directors: Mari Buche and Manish Srivastava.

  • Applied Natural Resource Economics MS: The master’s of science degree  in Applied Natural Resource Economics is a unique blend of business, economics, forestry, and geology, plus engineering, social sciences, and technical communications. Graduate Program Director: Jenny Apriesnig

We hope to see you at the information session! If you’re unable to attend but want to know more, reach out to the graduate program director for the degree option you’re interested in.

About the College of Business

The Michigan Tech College of Business prepares tomorrow’s business professionals through STEM-infused, AACSB-accredited degree programs and minors. The college offers nine bachelor of science degree programs in accounting, business analytics, construction management, economics, engineering management, finance, management, management information systems, and marketing. We offer master’s degree programs in accounting and analytics, applied natural resource economics, engineering management, and the TechMBA®.

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Retired College of Business Lecturer Paul Aho Passes Away

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Michigan Technological University’s College of Business honors the memory of Paul Aho, a faculty member dedicated to student success.

The College of Business is saddened to announce that long-time College of Business faculty member Paul Aho passed away November 2 at age 71. Aho served as a lecturer in management information systems from 1987 until his retirement in 2006.

In 1978, Aho completed a BS in Business Administration with a concentration in information systems at Michigan Tech, then working in the accounting industry for several years. Later, he a earned a master’s degree in economics from DePaul University.

“Paul was a great inspiration to me as an undergraduate,” said Adam Mitteer ’03 ’17, who earned a bachelor’s degree in Management and a master’s in Data Science at Michigan Tech. “Taking his classes changed the course of how I looked at technology and really academia in general. It was a pleasure to get to know Paul through clubs, as a TA (teaching assistant) for his class, and taking many of his courses.”

Mitteer said Aho also served as a mentor to students through his connections to industry and University alumni, always helping students find the best path for pursuing fulfilling careers.

Read Aho’s full obituary.

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