Missoula College - Business Management

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

“Missoula College gave me the confidence to go on to UM, but Missoula College helped me the most in ‘real life.’” – Keri Lunak-Douglas, class of 2010

Keri Lunak-Douglas grew up in Browning, Montana, on the Blackfoot Indian Reservation. The very day of her high school graduation, she moved to Missoula. Keri worked as a server in Missoula for the next three years.

By age 21, she decided to move to Spokane and study radiology because she thought it would lead to a good job, not because she was particularly interested in it.

For Keri, an unfulfilling career wasn’t cutting it. She moved back to Montana and enrolled at Missoula College, mostly to get her general course requirements out of the way and decide what she would major in. She took Intro to Business with Professor Niki Robinson during her first semester.

“Intro to Business changed my career path. I found my passion!” Keri said. “I love business.”

Keri completed the required 90-hour internship at a CPA firm and a law office and graduated with a degree in Administrative Management in 2012. Then, being chosen for a highly sought-after internship, Keri took a position at Direct TV.

Not finished with her education, however, Keri went on to the University of Montana to earn a bachelor’s degree in Business Management in 2012.

“Missoula College gave me the confidence to go on to UM,“ Keri recalled, “but Missoula College helped me the most in ‘real life.’”

Since earning her degree, Keri worked for Guild Mortgage for 4 years, starting part-time and working her way up to Assistant Loan Originator and then Loan Processor. She is currently in a new position with a new firm as Transaction Manager for Jason Baker Real Estate Team where she continues to learn and grow.

Although Keri felt her entire experience at Missoula College was memorable, the best part was getting to know a group of students that all graduated together.

“Engage with other students to succeed,” Keri recommends, “and communicate a ‘can do’ attitude.”

Keri’s work ethic, enthusiasm, and quest for learning have led her to succeed in the business world and also given her a path to help others.

“Now I am in a position to help people buy a home, obtain a loan, and work through the entire process,” she said. “It is very rewarding.”

For more information about the Business Administration Program. Please visit:
http://mc.umt.edu/academics/businesstech/administrativemanagement/default.php

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Joe Gough is a Missoula College Alumni who graduated with a degree in Administrative Management in 1998 and has worked at the School of Extended and Lifelong Learning’ as the receptionist since his internship many years ago.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
“Everything I learned in the program, I was putting into practice. I stepped right into the position ahead of everybody else.” – Joe Gough, class of 1998

Joe Gough is definitely not a job hopper; his entire working career has consisted of two 20-year stints. After high school, Joe went to work for the Montana Department of Revenue at the state liquor store. Two decades later, they privatized state liquor stores and Joe figured it was time for something new. That next step was Missoula College.

“I decided to go back to school,” Joe said, “and I thought job-based learning was the way to go.”

Entering the Business Technology Dept., Joe majored in the Administrative Management program and secured an internship at UM’s ‘School of Extended and Lifelong Learning’ as the receptionist. He performed so well, at the culmination of the 90 hours, he was offered the position full-time.

“Everything I learned in the program, I was putting into practice. I stepped right into the position ahead of everybody else,” he said.

The most useful skills he’s acquired at Missoula College - and still uses on the job - are accounting, writing and how to use Microsoft products like Excel, Word, Access and PowerPoint.

Over the last years, Joe worked his way up to his current position, Facilities and Conference Manager. Still at UM’s School of Extended and Lifelong Learning, his second 20-year career has been very rewarding.

Joe remembers his time at Missoula College as one of camaraderie with professors and the other students.

“I was a nontraditional student. We all helped each other through; I am still friends with some of the group,” he said.

Professor Niki Robinson, who was also Joe’s advisor, recalls, “Joe has such a great attitude and was a dedicated student. I knew he would be successful in whatever he pursued. The University grabbed him right up when he graduated.”

Joe advises new students, and especially other nontraditional students, that want to be successful, “Go to class! Be open to learning. Don’t give up – things will get better. Attitude is everything!”

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
“Everything I learned in the program, I was putting into practice. I stepped right into the position ahead of everybody else.” – Joe Gough, class of 1998

Joe Gough is definitely not a job hopper; his entire working career has consisted of two 20-year stints. After high school, Joe went to work for the Montana Department of Revenue at the state liquor store. Two decades later, they privatized state liquor stores and Joe figured it was time for something new. That next step was Missoula College.

“I decided to go back to school,” Joe said, “and I thought job-based learning was the way to go.”

Entering the Business Technology Dept., Joe majored in the Administrative Management program and secured an internship at UM’s ‘School of Extended and Lifelong Learning’ as the receptionist. He performed so well, at the culmination of the 90 hours, he was offered the position full-time.

“Everything I learned in the program, I was putting into practice. I stepped right into the position ahead of everybody else,” he said.

The most useful skills he’s acquired at Missoula College - and still uses on the job - are accounting, writing and how to use Microsoft products like Excel, Word, Access and PowerPoint.

Over the last years, Joe worked his way up to his current position, Facilities and Conference Manager. Still at UM’s School of Extended and Lifelong Learning, his second 20-year career has been very rewarding.

Joe remembers his time at Missoula College as one of camaraderie with professors and the other students.

“I was a nontraditional student. We all helped each other through; I am still friends with some of the group,” he said.

Professor Niki Robinson, who was also Joe’s advisor, recalls, “Joe has such a great attitude and was a dedicated student. I knew he would be successful in whatever he pursued. The University grabbed him right up when he graduated.”

Joe advises new students, and especially other nontraditional students, that want to be successful, “Go to class! Be open to learning. Don’t give up – things will get better. Attitude is everything!”

Spotlight on graduate, Amy McGhee
“The experience at Missoula College is so completely different. You’re not just a number. And you get a career out of it, not just a degree.” – Amy McGhee

When Amy McGhee isn’t momming her three young boys, she’s mothering a small herd of goats. Amy has produced and sold goat soap and lotion under the “Mamma McGhee’s” name for years, but in 2013 she decided it was time for a change.

Amy decided to go back to school to learn more about business to help expand and grow “Mamma McGhee’s.” She enrolled at Missoula College to major in Business Management.

“There is an interest in the students at Missoula College,” she said of her professors. “They support and believe in us. That helped shape me and build confidence.”

Amy added that she got to know her professors and appreciated the one-on-one attention provided by the Business Department. Niki Robinson’s Marketing class was a favorite.

“The open feeling allowed us to grow as people and students. We hated to miss class!” Amy said.

Professors Cheryl Galipeau, Tim Olson, and Brian Larson also influenced her positive experience at Missoula College.

For Amy, moments when she felt supported by professors define her time here. Participating in the Business Fair, being personally asked by Professor Lisa Swallow to continue another semester to complete an Accounting degree and graduation are all highlights.

After graduating in 2014, Amy was hired in the Human Resources Department at Missoula County. From there, she got a position as a legal secretary for the county and after her first year was nominated outstanding employee of the year.

Amy is now a criminal paralegal for the Missoula County Attorney Office.

“It’s the coolest job I never thought I would want,” she said. “I love to go to work every day. It is fulfilling, exciting, busy and never the same.”

Amy uses skills she refined at Missoula College like critical thinking, organizing and problem solving alongside technical training in Microsoft Office products like Word, Excel and Powerpoint.

She advises new students to “get to know your professors – it will pay off! The experience at Missoula College is so completely different. You’re not just a number. And you get a career out of it, not just a degree.”

“Professor Tim Olson had us write a ‘life plan’ and it really made me think what I want in life. I just came across it the other day, and I thought, gosh I am doing what I said!”

For more information about Missoula College’s Business Technology programs, visit http://mc.umt.edu/academics/businesstech/default.php

Missoula College - Business Technology Dept.'s photo.